How We Found Fabulous Food In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia By

One of the hallmarks of our travels is eating where the locals eat. I find that it can be one of the easiest and quickest ways to connect with the local culture and get a deeper understanding of it. So much can be learned from a people group by what they put on their plates.

So when we were in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a short stopover on the way to Malta, we were eagerly anticipating sampling the local cuisine. It has been over a year since we were in Asia as a family and mouth-watering dishes from Malaysia had been sorely missed. But with only 2 days in KL, we needed local help to find the right spots and Food Tour Malaysia came to the rescue.

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They run food tours for small groups during the day and evenings. We opted for the 4hr daytime tour since that would suit our young kids better.

We made our way to the meeting point at Taman Paramount LRT station (via train) which only cost MYR4.50 (US$1.50) for 2 adults (kids under 6 are free) from our hotel in the city centre. Our guide, Farah, met us in her car and we were quickly on our way.

The small group format worked really well as it felt much more like hanging out with a local friend. Farah was super friendly and unquestionably an expert on the KL food scene.

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Our first stop was an Indian restaurant. The local term used for these food stall collectives is a “coffee shop” as that was how they originated. As soon as we walked in the intoxicating aroma enveloped me like a warm welcoming hug. Flavours filtered through my nostrils. If I closed my eyes, I could have believed I died and ascended to an Indian heaven. Taking a seat, Farah brought out several curry dishes and roti bread for us to try, sharing the secrets about how the locals eat the dishes the right way (I won’t spill the beans here, you’ll have to find out for yourself!).

The roti bread was so warm, fresh and buttery, it melted in our mouths. Farah also shared a bit about the history of the restaurant, which helped us to better understand the local food dynamic.

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The cooks prepared the food in the open kitchen so we could see the master craftsmen at work. The speed and agility of their well-honed techniques made the preparation look almost effortless.

A super-sized sweet tissue roti was served up which made for a visually spectacular finish to our meal. As we devoured it bite-by-bite, sweet local tea was provided. Mia and Caius gave the tissue roti a big thumbs up!

Afterwards we were given behind-the-scenes access to the back kitchen to watch how the sweet tea was frothed using traditional techniques.

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Getting back in the car, Farah took us to our next stop, a quick sampling of a Chinese version of a traditional Malay dessert. This was a sweet gelatinous rice slab coated with fresh kaya (coconut jam).

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I also tried another colourful dessert made with bean paste and rice flour.

Next on the schedule, we drove to a group of Chinese food stalls. Even though the weather was warm and humid, the semi-enclosed area was cooled by large, rotating fans, which make the meal more enjoyable. 

This kind of eatery originated as open-air food carts, which lined the streets, attracting customers to sit around and enjoy the local cuisine. However local councils wanted to keep the streets clear as traffic congestion increased. So they regulated the food carts and moved them into these “coffee shops”. The current format really works better for diners as the eating area is under cover (very helpful in the tropical climate) and several food specialties are located next to each other so everyone at your table can choose the food they like. So they operate in a similar way to typical Western food courts.

At this eatery we tried a handful of Chinese dishes ranging from tofu to prawn noodle soup to chilli chicken with flat noodles. I’m a bit more adventurous than Erin but I was really impressed how she took to some of the new flavours that I thought she might shy away from. What a gal!

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Afterwards we sampled some local fresh fruit – watermelon, rockmelon (cantaloupe) and pineapple. Mine was drizzled with sour plum powder and salt for a tangy twist on the refreshing dessert.

By this point our bellies were swelling, so Farah drove us to a local old-fashioned series of outdoor food carts which lined a small street. These ones had special permission to operate. We sampled several sweet Malay desserts…

And also Indian snacks…

And just like our kids’ favourite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, we had definitely eaten a bit too much. Our eyes were very much bigger than our stomachs, but it was so easy to give into the irresistibly flavourful food.

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Farah had one more stop planned for traditional Malay grilled fish, but we simply could not fit in another bite. So with our sincere thanks, she drove us back to our starting point – the train station.

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I deliberately ate a very small breakfast that morning, but it was clear to me by the end of the tour that I had underestimated the amount of space needed for all the delicious Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine we tried. It was a delightful tour and I highly recommend it next time you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur – just remember to bring an EXTRA big appetite. 

Reader Comments...

"I respond to every comment by direct private email. I look forward to your feedback" -

Thanks for being a part of our trip! We certainly enjoyed you and your family's company! Keep up the great work you're doing and if you do drop by KL again, do buzz us!

Food Tour Malaysia Apr 21st, 2014

Did you do a custom tour? We are headed to KL in June and are very interested in booking one of these tours. We have 3 young boys and want to make sure they could handle it. Thanks!

Sara Apr 22nd, 2014

Reality: Most times in Asian cities, you don't find 'real, delicious' delicacies in five star hotels or in award-winning restaurants. They are often found on sidewalk canteens and carts, often costing than your subway fare. :)

C&E Holidays Singapore Apr 30th, 2014

That all looks amazingly delicious! I was so disappointed with our layover in KL. The airport had everything closed so we couldn't try any Malaysian food. Your food pictures make me want to take an actual trip there!
Katie
http://www.katiestrails.com

Katie May 12th, 2014

This makes me hungry! We love the food in KL. Really great photos, too!
Megan
http://oddyearstravel.com

Megan May 16th, 2014

We failed to eat at the different hawker stalls around. We will eat a lot next time we visit Kuala Lumpur. Thanks for the food tips here! :)

Charmaine @ ChillandTravel.com Aug 12th, 2014

Not a lot of things better than street food in KL. We enjoyed a few nights of Rotis and didn't spend much more than $3-5 per person.
You can see some of the images of the food on the blog we did on KL!

Brian Oct 26th, 2014

Hey Erin,

Great post :) Your photos are so crisp! Favorite photo has to be the one of Mia with the monster roti haha too cute! Here's a post on our experience in KL: http://lucidpractice.com/tips-for-backpacking-kuala-lumpur-malaysia/

I see you're in Bali now, just returned from there. Be sure to check out Amed in the east!

First time on your blog, I'll be back :)

With positive energy ~

Paz

Paz Feb 28th, 2015

Hello! The pictures alone look so appetizing. Can you tell me the names of the restaurant you have visited? I will be visiting KL this June. :)

Nina Apr 11th, 2016

great post. will you please tell me the name of restaurant you have visited. i think it will be more helpful.

Ju Dee Tan Mar 14th, 2017

Hey, it makes me want to eat it. Food, I love to talk about food. Many foods have different flavors in every country, and I always want to try them. Wherever I go, I do not forget to taste the food that the countries have. I also have other information, it's about where you can enjoy the hotel but like your own house. They have a hotel package, a cozy restaurant and you can get a room with a view of the sheep farm from your room window. This is amazing! Please visit their site here landhoteldiever.nl to get more information.

Mayrine Jul 28th, 2017

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