Good food tastes better when it’s shared, and that notion comes alive with every plate at Meraki Dining. First conceptualised in 2020, Meraki Dining began as a private dining business curating meals for private homes, corporate events, and weddings – proudly serving more than 10,000 guests to date. The brand also sells house-made sauces, snacks, and corporate gifting boxes through meticulous R&D.
In July 2025, Meraki Dining evolved into a brick-and-mortar contemporary Asian restaurant with modern Malaysian flavours, located in Section 17, Petaling Jaya. True to its name – meraki is a Greek word that means to do something with soul, creativity, and love – the restaurant reflects exactly that. It takes the concept of casual sharing plates and fuses it with creativity – giving comfort food a surprising, modern twist.
While staying faithful to its roots in communal-style dining, Meraki Dining goes beyond offering a great meal; it offers a fresh perspective on what modern Malaysian and Asian dining can look like in an understated setting.
Your neighbourhood Asian restaurant
Tucked into a corner lot along a quieter stretch of Section 17 (the same row as Bistro á Table), Meraki Dining makes a subtle yet striking first impression with its sleek black signage. Step inside and you’ll find a warm, inviting space defined by wooden accents, soft lighting, and leafy planters that lend a touch of greenery.
The main dining area is designed for casual comfort, with an open, convivial atmosphere that complements its sharing-plate concept. For more intimate occasions, an upstairs private dining room and event space offers versatility – whether for celebratory dinners, corporate gatherings, or private parties – making Meraki as much a destination for community as it is for cuisine.
Familiar flavours, unpredictable twists
Rising culinary talents Chef LC and Chef Kumar lead the kitchen in Meraki Dining’s new home, serving up refined yet soulful dishes that honour local ingredients and Asian culinary heritage. The menu is divided into small plates, vegetables, main sharing dishes, and individual courses (which can also be shared, if you like) – each section presenting recognisable flavours through a fresh and innovative lens.
Take Something Like Salai, for example. At first bite, it recalls the rich flavours of tender smoked duck (Itik Salai), but the star is actually juicy chicken thigh, carefully brined and smoked for that same depth of flavour. It’s served in masak lemak gravy with cherry tomatoes, beancurd skin, and curry leaves for a hint of spice and herbaceousness.
The Lamb Shoulder comes highly recommended for meat lovers, and though portions are made for sharing, it’s tempting enough to finish it all by yourself (as our photographer will happily attest). The succulent lamb is marinated for 12 hours with onion, cumin, and coriander powder, accented by a sour assam boi yoghurt sauce that complements the punchy spices brilliantly.
Then there’s the Vongole Basah, a dish that was initially inspired by Loh Shu Fun Aglio Olio from Meraki’s private dining experiments. Here, it incorporates laksa panjang instead, married with fresh clams, dried shrimp, chilli, lime, and a touch of butter for a “wet” yet slightly velvety noodle dish.
Another interesting noodle offering comes in the form of Chilled Somen with Scallops, carefully plated in a sea of cold Asian ponzu sauce. It’s served with beautifully seared Hokkaido scallops, toasted sesame seeds, compressed watermelon (or vegan tuna sashimi, if you will), and ulam tempura bits for a refreshing combination of sweet, acidic, and savoury notes.
Simple dishes, made better
Don’t overlook the vegetable section, as the charred Nappa Cabbage proves that greens can take centre stage on the table. Seared and roasted before being brushed with brown butter, the cabbage is then peppered with dried mandarin peel powder for complexity. It’s further elevated by a unique Ulam Béarnaise – Meraki’s signature sauce that usually accompanies the 24-Hour Brined Chicken main – giving the leafy greens both richness and freshness in a single bite.
Even the humble chicken rice gets a glow-up here, served risotto-style with creamy textures and fried lam yee (fermented beancurd) chicken that tastes indulgent. A Peranakan favourite, Chew Kuih, is reimagined too – this time deep fried in a larger-than-usual size, creating a crisp crust that gives way to the nostalgic chewiness inside. It’s topped with sweet choy poh and furikake for a hint of smokiness.
Desserts at Meraki are equally playful. The Mini Tiramisu, for instance, isn’t just your typical coffee and cream combo – it’s given a distinctly Malaysian spin. Blending two all-time favourite local drink orders – Nescafe and Milo – with bahulu and mascaporne, the result is decadent and pleasantly surprising.
The Crème Caramel capped off our meal on the same unexpected tune, combining a delightfully smooth chantilly cream with red velvet crumble for a nice crunch, and mango salsa for a light tang to balance out the sweet notes. By the end of our hearty lunch, we were left with comforted palates, satisfied bellies, and renewed appreciation for Malaysian flavours that continue to delight as they take on reimagined forms and interpretations.
Meraki Dining
Address: Ground floor, No.22A, Jalan 17/54, Section 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 12pm – 10pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 03-74993516
I @merakidining.my | F @merakidining
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