Travel advice for Malaysia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Malaysia
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Mike MacEacheran
updated 7.03.2019
When it comes to eating in Kuala Lumpur, you could have a different dish every day of your life —street food here is not a trend, but a way of life. In KL, locals are known to eat up to six meals a day and street food stands are hotbeds of innovation.
Go for the basics, such as nasa lemak (coconut milk and panda leaf rice) and assam laksa (fish soup), or shift up the spice with Penang curries, shrimp dumplings, mee goreng (spicy fried noodles), tofu rojak (fried tofu in peanut sauce), hole-in-the-wall hot pot, black bean soup, duck-fried rice, corn bean stew... the wealth of options turn a simple grab-and-go decision into a major headache.
Diversity is the name of the game here, and when considering Malaysia's surrounding influences — from Singapore and Thailand to India, Myanmar, China and Indonesia — there’s a compelling argument to be made that KL is the street food capital of the planet. Here’s our guide to the most memorable and delicious street food in Kuala Lumpur. How to pick which stalls to try? Normally, there’s muted chaos around the most popular street food stands.
12 days / from2350 USD
Uniquely Rustic Malaysia
Malaysia has it all: great beaches, fascinating history, natural habitats and remarkable wildlife. Bustling KL offers the perfect city break; while further afield hiking trails, pristine jungles and fascinating ecosystems will keep the more adventurous visitors entertained.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1200 USD
Hidden UNESCO Sites of Malaysia
Steeped in historical significance and natural beauty, Malaysia is home to several emotionally moving UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It seems fitting, given the country's cultural touchstones and awe-inspiring parks—from solitude amidst the mangroves to history walks among colonial buildings.
view tour ⤍3 days / from450 USD
The Cameron Highlands in a Nutshell
Experience Malaysia's largest and most impressive hill station, the Cameron Highlands, in all their glory, with this compact trip. Let your picturesque surroundings soak in as you visit the famous Batu Caves, the Lata Iskandar Waterfalls and a local tea plantation.
view tour ⤍3 days / from593 USD
Malaysian Wildlife Explorer
Experience the stunning and varied wildlife of Malaysia with this exciting trip: meet the world's smallest bear, the Bornean sun bear; encounter injured orangutans preparing to rejoin the wild; then embark on a series of cruises on the Kinabatangan River to spot yet more Malaysian wildlife!
view tour ⤍13 days / from2450 USD
Traditional Malaysia & Wild Borneo
Combine the culture and traditions of Malaysia with jungle outposts and adventure in Borneo. From lively Kuala Lumpur to desert island beaches, highlands and dense rainforest, this is a wonderful introduction to Southeast Asia.
view tour ⤍4 days / from882 USD
Highlands and Islands of West Malaysia
Experience the rolling highlands and stunning islands of West Malaysia, with this exciting, compact trip that would make the perfect add-on to an existing trip to Malaysia.
view tour ⤍7 days / from980 USD
Dazzling Kuching: Malaysia's Hidden Gem
Sarawak's capital city is known for its old-world flare, bustling markets, and delightful locals. The eponymous winding river that makes up the celebrated Kuching Waterfront may be the town's claim to fame, but hiding just behind it are historical buildings begging to be discovered.
view tour ⤍15 days / from2235 USD
Malaysia Explored: Culture, Wildlife and History
Discover the magnificence of Malaysia with this comprehensive trip. Stroll around picturesque tea plantations, trek through dense rainforests, watch elephants in the wild, laze around on paradise beaches, explore immense religious monuments and much more, all with this fantastic trip!
view tour ⤍7 days / from896 USD
Experience Nature in the Wilds of Sabah
Tucked away on the island of Borneo is the state of Sabah, a true nature-lover's paradise. From whitewater rafting down wild rivers to scuba diving in crystal-clear waters among exotic marine life, Sabah has something for anyone looking to experience nature in its purest form.
view tour ⤍10 days / from1730 USD
Taking in the Splendour of Malaysia
Malaysia is a vast, sweeping jewel of Southeast Asia, with much to do and see. It's particularly known for its serene rainforests, captivating wildlife, and pristine coastlines. The country is also synonymous with bustling cities, cherished historical sites, and progressive points of view.
view tour ⤍14 days / from5876 USD
Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore adventure
A diverse and unforgettable exploration awaits! From the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur to the cool retreat of Cameron Highlands. Immerse yourself in lush tea plantations before heading to Borneo for thrilling orangutan encounters and unforgettable river safaris. Brunei and Singapore conclude the trip
view tour ⤍13 days / from5920 USD
Indulgent Malaysia
Discover fascinating Malaysia, a multicultural hotspot with amazing food, stunning beaches and vibrant culture. Take in popular KL’s malls, architecture, landmarks and gardens, before hitting colonial towns and luxurious tropical beaches.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1750 USD
Malaysia Express from Singapore
A captivating 7-day tour that unveils the beauty of Malaysia, commencing from Singapore. Traverse the border into Malacca to uncover its rich heritage gems. Progress to Kuala Lumpur, where iconic landmarks await your exploration. Culminate your journey in George Town, Penang.
view tour ⤍5 days / from2580 USD
Rainforest Adventure in Borneo
Indecisive between Tabin and Danum Valley in Borneo? Opt for a unique two-in-one adventure, where you'll revel in a mesmerizing transformation from regenerating forests to pristine virgin rainforests. Embrace the allure of both destinations in a single, unforgettable journey.
view tour ⤍11 days / from1899 USD
Best of Peninsular Malaysia
A beautiful journey through Peninsular Malaysia. Start in dynamic Kuala Lumpur, explore Malacca's heritage, delve into Cameron Highlands' tea culture, discover Penang's vibrant art scene, and savor its renowned street food. Cap off your adventure with serene beach relaxation in Langkawi.
view tour ⤍6 days / from1685 USD
Wildlife Spotting in Borneo
Observe the human-like Orangutans and Bornean Sun Bear, enjoy relaxing cruises along the Kinabatangan River, and encounter fascinating species like proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and more. For those with an interest, partake in engaging wildlife discussions at the lodge.
view tour ⤍The Rolls-Royce of KL street food — marinated in lemongrass and spice — is served up on a charred-black bamboo stick, but don’t let that first impression put you off. To start, you’ll be offered a choice of lean beef, lamb, pork or chicken skewer dipped in an sticky peanut glaze that drips onto charcoal fire, sending a sweet smoke tingling up your nostrils. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a napkin and paper ketchup cup for extra sauce.
The good news is the skewers are only around 25p a pop, with hundreds of food stalls and chain restaurants serving up these shockingly-good roadside snacks. You can’t go wrong at Jalan Alor, a night market that wriggles with life between Raja Chulan and Imbi monorail stations in the city’s Golden Triangle. For life-defining bbq chicken nearby, locals swear by Wong Ah Wah Chicken Wings.
In most countries, shopping mall restaurants are to be avoided, but in Kuala Lumpur the humble food court is at the forefront of the modern Malay tradition. They run the gamut from Bukit Bintang’s no-frills Sungei Wang Plaza Food Court — with grubby plastic chairs but goal-orientated grub options — to the upscale Food Republic, a memorable transplant from Singapore.
Pick of the bunch, however, is Lot 10 Hutong, a nostalgic hall of fame in Jalan Bukit Bintang populated by outposts of Malaysia’s most enduring hawker stands. This is street food as interpreted by the minds of those who understand it best. For Indochinese hakka noodles — stir-fried with minced beef — head to Soong Kee Beef Noodle, which started life on Petaling Street in post-WW2 KL. For wantan mee — wonton dumplings in sweet-sour broth — swing by Ho Weng Kee, started in the 1930s by a Chinese immigrant from Guangdong. Or, for char kway teow — flat rice noodles with prawns and beansprouts elevated to national treasure status — join the queue at Penang Famous Fried Koay Teow. Regardless of what you choose, put your trust in these one-dish temples of taste.
Of all the influences on KL’s streets and food courts, the most obvious is Chinese. So many of the country’s flavours have been absorbed by the Malays, from dim sum and shumai, fluffy Cantonese buns filled with bbq pork, to syrupy Hokkien mee noodles, originally a staple from Fujian province. Even the insanely-popular kopitiam, Malay coffee houses that trade in teeth-grindingly sweet brews, come from China.
There’s plenty of Chinese-inspired dishes to get you salivating, but one place to make a beeline for is Chinatown’s Petaling Street, a hangar-sized market lined with old cafes and souvenir stalls. You’ll soon understand why people are queueing for the smoky, dark soy Hokkien mee at Kim Lian Kee Restaurant. In business since 1927, locals call it ground zero for noodle lovers. Handily, there’s another branch at Lot 10 Hutong.
As long as there have been curries, Malays have wolfed them down on Madras Lane. On this hot and humid hawker street, which runs arrow-straight through Chinatown, you are in the midst of KL’s ethnic Malay-Indian-Chinese crossover. Korma pots boil over, almost spilling onto the ground, spoons click-clack off bowls of pungent yong tau foo (tofu soup) and workaday butchers make quick work of carcasses at the wet market.
Despite the potentially off-putting distractions, eat here: it is built for beginners. The go-to dish is curry laksa, a store cupboard noodle soup broth made with ginger, lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste and a whoosh of red chili spice that hits every sweet spot. There may be a few scraps of chicken or vermicelli noodles. There may be pig skin or fried tofu puffs, too. No matter: it’s as heavenly as KL street food gets and with three stalls to choose from, you’ll surely find one that works for you.
The ritual is almost predictable. You step up to the fruit stall and order a durian from the counter. The gloved server grins slowly and bags up the fruit with a wry comment. Then comes the smell — pungent, unforgettable, almost violent — and weird looks from passersby follow. Time passes and you try a small piece at first. Is it rotten onions? Or even over-ripe socks? Eventually you have to pick your side — do you love or loathe the world’s most controversial fruit?
The durian — banned in many of KL’s public spaces because of its overpowering smell — is nothing if not distinctive. The country has a thorny love affair with the fruit and it’s ubiquitous, appearing in juices, deserts, cocktails and ice cream. If you’re brave enough, SS2 Durian House Stall in Petaling Street Market offers a great introduction to its mind-shifting flavour, while connoisseurs opt for Soon Huat Durian Market, a series of tents near Cempaka underground station.
The ritual can also be spotted at Durian BB, located near KLCC in the shadow of the prongs of the Petronas Twin Towers, and Durian King TTDI, where it’s served over iced cendol, electric-green rice flour jelly with coconut milk and sugar syrup. Unsurprisingly, that’s an acquired taste, too. But with so much choice on offer in KL, who said you’d love everything?
For even more ideas for your Malay capital holiday, have a look at our guide to the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Top image: Malaysian home cooked dishes sold at street market stall © Lano Lan/Shutterstock
written by Mike MacEacheran
updated 7.03.2019
Mike MacEacheran is a travel journalist & guidebook author based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has reported from 108 countries for National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveller, The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Observer, The Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal, Mail on Sunday, The Independent, Evening Standard, The Sun, The Globe and Mail, Scotland on Sunday, The National and South China Morning Post. Follow him on Twitter @MikeMacEacheran
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Malaysia