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I’ve eaten my means by KL on quite a few events. But, each time I return, I discover myself with one other impossibly lengthy checklist of locations to try to suggestions from my foodie pals. However because it’s possible you’ll solely have a couple of days within the metropolis, that’s all you really want to see the sights, until you’re somebody who LOVES an enormous metropolis, you want a fast hit checklist of the most effective dishes to strive within the metropolis and the place to get them. As a result of that’s probably extra essential than the dish itself.
From probably the most well-known avenue meals in KL to the hidden gem meals in Kuala Lumpur, these are the locations that I feel it’s best to prioritize in your subsequent journey.
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The Kuala Lumpur Meals Scene
In the event you’re not excited by a bit of little bit of backstory, then carry on scrolling to the great things.
BUT. In the event you’re questioning what precisely makes the Kuala Lumpur meals scene so particular, it’s the mix of Chinese language, Malay, and Indian influences. This distinctive mixture of robust culinary cultures creates a vastly numerous delicacies with numerous distinctive KL dishes, just like the scrumptious Nasi Lemak, which not coincidentally has a Chinese language, Indian, and Malay model inside Kuala Lumpur.
In the event you’re excited by studying extra in regards to the deep culinary roots of Malaysian tradition, I recommend you learn this glorious National Geographic highlight on KL cuisine.
Finest Avenue Meals Tour in KL
Kuala Lumpur was voted the seventh greatest metropolis on this planet for foodies. That is largely because of the avenue meals tradition. However in cities as massive as KL, it may be laborious to crack into the road meals scene and scope out the distinctive from the bizarre. That’s why we wish to take some avenue meals excursions. Particularly, avenue meals excursions led by native cooks or different locals who perceive the meals scene—individuals who can share with me the tales behind the meals.
We took the Sambal Streets tour with A Chef’s Tour and liked it. I particularly appreciated that it integrated among the metropolis’s well-liked sights into the tour and didn’t deal with an apparent space (like Petaling Avenue) that’s already well-liked with vacationers. As a substitute, you enterprise into extra native areas and eat meals at locations you would possibly by no means have in any other case tried. However they’ve a Laksa Lanes tour in case you are excited by that Chinatown area!
10 Should-Attempt Eating places + Markets in Kuala Lumpur
These are my favourite ten locations to eat after I’m in KL. All of them are budget-friendly and provide a glimpse into the town’s meals scene.
1. Mee Tarik Restoran
- Deal with: 36, Jalan Sultan, Metropolis Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Dumplings, hand-cut beef noodles, scallion pancakes
- Time of Day: Dinner + Late Evening
A part of the enjoyment of consuming at Mee Tarik is that the tables are flimsy plastic assembled haphazardly streetside within the coronary heart of Chinatown. It’s inconceivable to overlook among the many crowd. They specialise in hand-cut noodles and soup, however the freshly pressed dumplings and a large pile of scallion pancakes are equally scrumptious. The place is busy all day lengthy, but it surely actually picks up late at evening.
2. Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam
- Deal with: 1, Jalan Balai Polis, Metropolis Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Kaya Toast, Egg Curry Toast, Dried Rooster Curry Noodle, Espresso
- Time of Day: Early Breakfast
This can be a neighborhood staple. In the event you go to anytime after 9 AM, you’re sure to have a brief wait outdoors. However the meals is properly definitely worth the wait. In the event you’re fortunate, the proprietor can be wandering the restaurant, going desk to desk. The kaya right here, made out of pandan, coconut, and egg, is the most effective of anyplace I’ve had it.
3. Pik Wah Bar & Cafe
- Deal with: No134, Jalan Petaling, Metropolis Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Clay pot Chiang enjoyable, clay pot espresso, Portuguese tarts, duck noodle
- Time of Day: Breakfast
By some means, I didn’t handle to snap a single photograph of the thrice we ate breakfast at this spot. This can be a sure-fire signal of how good the meals was.
4. MTR
- Deal with: 69, Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Something Indian
- Time of Day: Lunch
Wonderful South Indian meals. Sufficient mentioned. They’ve every day specials and an array of staple dishes. The one drawback with this place is that it isn’t actually close to anything that you simply would possibly need to go to. However it’s price going out of your means for.
5. Soong Kee Beef Noodles & Low Yau Kee Porridge
- Deal with: 86, Jalan Tun H S Lee, Metropolis Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Beef noodles.
- Time of Day: Lunch
An informal eatery serving one dish…scrumptious beef on high of completely cooked noodles. You would possibly assume that it’s too easy however I promise the style will shock you.
6. Heun Kee Claypot Rooster Rice
- Deal with: 59, Jln Yew, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Rooster clay pot + umbra juice.
- Time of Day: Lunch/Dinner
Good day Michelin Information!!! This unassuming restaurant was acknowledged by the Michelin Bib Gourmand and I discovered myself in complete settlement. The claypot hen is cooked in a singular means on the various flaming burners outdoors. One was lots massive sufficient to share.
7. Roti Canai Mamak OG
- Deal with: 1015, Selangor Mansion, 1005, Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur Metropolis Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Should Eat: Roti Canai. duh.
- Time of Day: Breakfast or lunch.
One other barely out-of-the-way and enormously scrumptious cease serving up one iconic dish…my favourite breakfast dish in all of Southeast Asia, really. Roti Canai! Pair it with a standard chai.
Finest Avenue Meals Markets in Kuala Lumpur
Avenue markets are a necessary piece of the puzzle relating to Kuala Lumpur. Whereas the town is very trendy, it has additionally retained area for its avenue meals heritage. Perhaps that’s why I prefer it a lot right here.
8. Tamam Connaught – Wednesday Evening Market
This 2 KM lengthy market has all of it. However it’s important to go to on Wednesday evening. That is the biggest market in Malaysia. I’m positive it rivals the longest avenue market in all of Southeast Asia. There’s tons of meals, trinkets, and scrumptious drinks.
9. Petaling Avenue- Day and Evening
Essentially the most well-known avenue market in Kuala Lumpur and, subsequently, the most well-liked with vacationers. This little avenue in Chinatown is exclusive as a result of it’s bustling through the daytime in addition to at evening. It’s a must-visit a minimum of as soon as. That is the market the place you will see probably the most conventional Malay meals in addition to some Chinese language.
10. Jalan Alor Meals Avenue – Evening Market
Jalan Alor is one other a type of avenue markets that everybody recommends you go to. However of the three on this checklist, it was really my least favourite. It might have been as a result of we visited throughout a thunderstorm, however the meals stalls felt very repetitive, and there was a variety of Durian…my least favourite Malaysian culinary obsession. Be sure you strive some Chinese language renditions of Malaysian favorites whilst you’re right here.
Our Favourite Bars in Kuala Lumpur
Way back, earlier than I used to be a journey author, I used to be a bartender. Due to this, we’ve a tender spot for a high-quality cocktail lounge, particularly one which takes native dishes and substances and incorporates them in a singular means into the drink menu. These three bars have been our favorites within the metropolis. However we like to take a look at the top 50 bars list earlier than we go to any new locations.
Penrose
- Deal with: 149, Jalan Petaling, Metropolis Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A Chinatown staple for native bartenders. It feels a bit of like a speakeasy and is ideal for date evening! Come for the advanced signature cocktails and keep for the stunning ambiance.
Trigona Bar
- Deal with: 145, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This bar is severely spectacular. And I hate recommending something close to a Hilton or different main resort chain. As a result of sure, Bar Trigona is contained in the Hilton within the coronary heart of KL. However the truth that they incorporate native substances into their cocktail menu and plenty of drinks are impressed by iconic dishes essential in Malay tradition…it’s a singular cocktail expertise for those who’re keen to pay American drink costs.
PS150
- Deal with: Floor Ground, 150, Jalan Petaling, Metropolis Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
PS150 was a discover from the most effective bars in Asia checklist, and its place is well-earned. Its focus is solely on its cocktail program, and the place is extraordinarily into minimalism. It may be tough to find because it’s one other one in a speakeasy-style, however as soon as inside, you’ll need to stick round.
The place to Keep in Kuala Lumpur
If that is your first time in KL, don’t be stunned if you discover out the airport is greater than an hour from the sides of the town. Kuala Lumpur is HUGE. This makes getting across the metropolis a ache at instances. I at all times keep on the non-public rooms in Mingle Hostel within the coronary heart of Chinatown in order that I’m strolling distance from a lot of the should strive eating places in KL.
Mingle Hostel Chinatown
Mingle has dorms and personal rooms with actually nice lofted beds. The placement and rooftop scorching tub actually make this place the proper cease for a couple of days of consuming within the metropolis.
Map of Finest Locations to Eat in Kuala Lumpur
Whether or not you need to dive into the hidden gem meals in Kuala Lumpur or what to eat in Kuala Lumpur for a weekend go to…this information will assist you to prioritize the well-known avenue meals in KL. Let me know within the feedback you probably have any favourite foodie locations you’d add to this checklist of the place to eat in Kuala Lumpur.