Located at the busy streets in the town; where all the pubs and Western eateries are located; here you go with the latest restaurant by the Warners Group which is Opium. The name “Opium” clues me to what should we expect – the “Asian” tapas enhanced with the “stimulating” ingredients.
Opened on July 12; the restaurant comes up with the concept of the Old Shanghai which is back to the early 60s. In the restaurant; it comes with different styles where they have a bar alike in trendy styles as well as long tables, private rooms or even private cubicles.
You can see the Opium pipe hanging on the wall; leading you into the “den” where dining table is.; sits in small cubicle, divided only by the flimsy red curtains. The setup is simply unusual but it is creatively done. You can expect old Shanghai classics playing in black and white on the TV and classic Shanghai music from that era to accompany your meal.
Following to the trend, we are being served with the food and drinks which are creatively presented to us. We started with the Opium’s Cheesy Spring Rolls (RM 18.00) where the strips of parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella cheese wrapped in the popiah skin. It is then being deep fried till golden brown keaving us with the crispy sensation at the outside while in the inside is filled with the fragrant cheesy temptations. Asides from the Opium’s Cheese Rolls, try some other snacks in their menu too including the traditional “Har Kau”
Comes next is the Satay (RM18.00) .Achoice of beef or chicken satay which is well grilled till perfection with the juiciness packed within the meat itself. Served together with the peanut sauce, cucumber, onions, and rice cake. The satay is delicious where every mouthful of the meat comes tender and yet flavourful.
Not to forget, the Mango Salad with Softshell Crab (RM24) is served. The Green mango is thinly sliced and add-on with the dried shrimps, chili, lime juice, shallots and peanuts with it. It is nicely done with the sourish temptations and it is too good and very appetizing.
For the noodles, the signature here would be the Opium Wantan Noodles and the Curry Spaghettni. 
The Spicy Spaghettini (RM 28.00) comes with t he twist of western and local. Using the spaghetti as the replacement for the yellow noodles and it is cook with the thick coconut brooth, spices, dried shrimps, chicken, long beans, bean sprouts, prawns , tofu puff and egg. The delicious hearty bowl curry spaghettni which is packed with the thick gravy is simply tempting and nice.
As for their other signature noodels – The Opium Wanton Noodles (RM 28) comes with the springy noodles, soy sauce, served together with the minced chicken, mushroom, and deep fried spinach with it. The fragrant mouthful of delights is indeed a good one where I love the crunchy deep fried spinach. It is something worth to try.
The dishes comes more aside from their noodle. The Creamy Butter Prawns (RM 42.00) is being served with the huge fresh prawns. It is well cooed with milk, butter, chili, garlic as well as the curry leaves. The set comes with a choice of Lotus Leaf Buns or the Poppy Seed Rice. I would say either Lotus Leaf Buns or the Poppy Seed Rice goes well with the creamy butter sauce where it compliments well with it.
As for the Beef Brisket and Tendon Stew (RM 35.00)l the brisket and tendons are weill cooked with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, star anise, cinnamon, dried chili and also king oyster mushroom. The beef brisket comes with complete juiciness with it with every mouthful is simply superlicious.
We ended with some sweet bites for sure. The sweet bite comes with the cheesy banana fritters (RM 18.00) where the golden deep fried bannan with the aged cheddar. It is then being topped with their homemade banana ice cream. Deliciously done! I love it so much and the fawless dessert is something to look for.
Ended with another two of their local delights include Sago Gula Melaka (RM 15) as well as the melon ice (RM 15.00) .The Gula Sago Melaka completed with the creamy coconut milk with the sago and the fragrant gula melaka in it. It is just as nice as it is. Sames goes to the melon ice where it is served with the honeydew melon together with sago pearls and coconut milk (RM 15.00).
As for the Opium Ice Glass being the signature item, it is served with the shaved ice, grass jelly, waterchestnut, basil, seeds, peanuts, corn, mung bean paste, coconut milk, gula sago melaka, and coconut ice cream on top.
With cocktails from award-winning consultant Joshua Ivanovich, we are assured to try some from the mixalogist. We had the Tea Trader (RM 32.00) which are served with rum, peach puree, black tea syrup, lemon juice and egg white. It is such a nice combination.
Others include, Mango Assam Boi (RM 15), Calamansi Apple Ginger (RM 15.00) and more.
Opium KL opens at 4pm with last orders for food at 11pm and snacks until 1am. The bar closes at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, or 1am on Sunday through Thursday.
Opium KL
50, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2142 5670
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opiumkl
Website: www.opiumkl.com
Sun – Thu: 4 pm – 1 am
Fri – Sat: 4 pm – 2 am
(kitchen starts at 6 pm)