Located in Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market, Precious Old China restaurant & bar offers a unique dining experience surrounded by Malaysian antiques and vintage colonial furniture. It is operated by the same team behind Old China Café in Chinatown.
Situated on the mezzanine level, the restaurant spans 232 sq m (2,500 sq ft) and accommodates up to 100 diners. Upon entering through 2.6 m (8½ ft) high Art Deco chengal hardwood doors, guests are drawn to a 4.9 m (16 ft) chengal bar counter, complemented by three teak cabinets.
The dining area is divided into three sections: the first features marble-top tables and bentwood chairs; the second offers teakwood high-back seats, resembling private booths; and the third, the main dining hall, showcases decorative stained-glass panels with Chinese motifs.
Additional highlights include folding glass panels from a 1930s Guangzhou house and a 4.2 m (14 ft) long chengal dining table from Penang. A 1925 portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen hangs above the room, adding a historical touch.
“Precious” celebrates the Chinese community’s cultural heritage, preserving a way of life that is slowly disappearing.
Highlights:
- Vintage Ambiance – Decorated with Malaysian antiques and colonial-era furniture.
- Unique Dining Spaces – Three distinct sections featuring marble-top tables, teakwood high-back seats, and stained-glass panels with Chinese motifs.
- Rare Collectibles – Features folding glass panels from a 1930s Guangzhou house and a 4.2 m (14 ft) chengal dining table from Penang.
- Cultural Significance – A 1925 portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen adds historical depth.
- Heritage Celebration – Showcases and preserves the fading cultural heritage of Malaysia’s Chinese community.
Images courtesy of © Precious Old China
