Pinchos Tapas Bar, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL
A Tapas Guide to Dine Like A True Spaniard in Kuala Lumpur.
The name ‘Pinchos’ is no stranger to the following crowds: Spaniards living in Malaysia, Malaysian Spanish food lovers, Spanish travellers in Malaysia and fellow Changkat Bukit Bintang goers.
Anyone who hangs out with me on weekend nights knows how huge and loyal a fan I am ever since I knew about its existence half a decade ago. It is the very place where I tried Spanish food for the first time – I got so hooked on to their tapas I can pretty much recite their menu today!
Here are some of the many reasons why you should give this place a try for the best tapas in KL:
- Wide variety of tapas from classic to seasonal items – you wish you have 4 stomachs to try them ALL.
- Food quality is always consistent – after so many visits, so many years; NEVER a day I was left disappointed.
- Drinks are worth the money – no diluted Sangria or cocktails that taste like medicine. Hallelujah!
- Service is fast and satisfying – their staffs might even remember your name.
Follow the suggested gastronomy guide below by the restaurant owner, Roberto, for a true Spanish tapas dining experience.
Start off with . . .
A glass of Vermouth; which flavours come in age 6 months, 9 months or years, while waiting for your food. This liquor has a candid similarity to martini rosso but with 10 times more flavour, as it was kept in barrels to obtain that special oaky scent. If you prefer softer cocktails, this comes highly recommended. And if you are wondering what has this to do with Spain, Vermouths are very much in fashion in Barcelona as of late, that many new bars are dedicated to it!
Order Jamón Iberico ‘Bellota’ (+ a red house wine) . . .
Whenever you see the word Iberico, it means you’re in for (possibly) the tastiest pig alive. Unlike the fat pink pigs, Iberico pigs are grey, small and TASTY. I had a generous plate sliced professionally from an initially 4KG front leg Iberico, where the fat looks like marble and IMO, it tastes better than wagyu. Roberto easily brings in a new leg every 2 short days.
Every dining table in Spain has jamón. What differs is the quality.
Continue with Tapas . . .
{Sobrasada Cured Pork Spread Gratinated with Cheese}
After all this time, this place still manages to surprise me. Of course I had to revisit all my favorite tapas every time I go. But on top of that, I was introduced to the *new* sobrasada (ground cured pork meat) with paprika, which spreads like butter, melted with Spanish cheese on top.
{Queso Manchego con Tomate – 9 months old manchego on fresh tomato bread!}
{Roberto’s favourite: Ensaladilla Rusa – this potato salad with tuna, olives, carrot and peas is a refreshing summer food eaten cold. Instead of making it into a mash, here the ingredients are neatly diced into tiny cute cubes}
{Ultra light and fluffy Calamares a la Romana – Everyday 5 KG of calamaris are lugged into the kitchen fresh from the market}
{Spanish Mild Padron Peppers – one out of many, you might just get 1 that is actually spicy!}
{The classic comfort food – Tortilla Espanola}
{Grilled Spanish Octopus (The Whole Leg)}
It is ILLEGAL to skip desserts here . . .
Two things you MUST try:
{Spanish Melon – Yes, melon! Flew in all the way from Valencia, sweet like honey; there’s no where else you can find it but here}
A fun way of eating it is to put a cube into your wine and let the sweet juice seep in, like so:
{Pinchos de Chocolate – Inspired by a typical Spanish snack (where Spaniards would put a piece of chocolate on a slice of bread, drizzled with olive oil or butter, wine and sugar), here Roberto replaces thick bread with wafer-thin pastry, topped with a generous dollop of olive oil chocolate and sea salt. I CAN’T GUYS, I CAN’T . . . This is too goooood! I can have all 4 just for ME}
Finish off with . . .
(Premium Gin and Tonic served in HUGE glasses – a hot trend right now}
Never judge a cocktail by its name. Personally, I tend to lean towards classic cocktails rather than the fancy mancy ones in speakeasy bars, which are hit-and-misses or more often than not, disappointing despite their flirty names.
The tonic used here is not F&N but an imported brand that has less sugar and is a lot more refreshing. Sip the whole night through for a botanical awakening drinking experience.
Bonus: Palillos ‘Spanish Yakitori Bar’
Above Pinchos is a unique ‘secret’ bar where Spanish products are cooked and grilled using Japanese techniques.
The combination is simply marvellous. Good ol’ sake and tasty grills that melt-in-your-mouth always turn a bad day around.
{I tried chicken butts for the first time in my life and I didn’t know they can be so tasty! Each stick has 5 chicken butts stacked together}
Address: 18, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Contact:+603 2145 8482 Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 5 p.m. – 3 a.m., Sunday 5 p.m. – 12 a.m., closed on Mondays.
Watch this video I made about the TOP 5 Spanish Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, selected by the Embassy of Spain KL to represent Spanish cuisine in Malaysia and remember to subscribe to my channel!
