Kuala Lumpur. This wasn’t exactly on my bucket list, truth be told. It was more of a “get-my-passport-stamped” kind of situation. KL surprised me, to say the least. Sure, the Petronas Towers pierce the sky like chrome needles, but beneath that gleaming façade lies a world of steaming hawker stalls, fragrant with spices and the sizzle of satay. Muslim prayer calls echo through the city, a melodic counterpoint to the boisterous sound of rush hour. This is a place where tradition and progress co-exist in a beautiful, chaotic way. And me? I was just a wide-eyed sucker for mainly the food, ready to dive headfirst into the delicious mess.
Arrival and Accommodation
Kuala Lumpur smacked me in the face with development and progress, not the grimy, chaotic kind, but sleek, modern, and clean. Think Singapore’s cooler, younger cousin. Our Airbnb, a steal at around $20 USD a night, could’ve been straight out of a viral TikTok video – spacious condo, infinity pool overlooking the KL skyline, and cafes downstairs pumping out lattes like nobody’s business. Luxury on a budget, traveler? This is how KL rolls.
If you’d like to view the listing for the Airbnb that we rented, click here: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Y68rk0QN
Our Food Recommendations
Mansion Tea Stall
First stop, KL’s greasy spoon hall of fame: Mansion Tea Stall. Forget the white tablecloths – this is where the real magic happens, with steaming vats, clanging metal, and the intoxicating sound of shouted orders…music to my ears. The teh tarik we ordered arrived frothy and with just the right amount of sweetness, the ideal match for the local favorite “Roti Canai Special”.
The “Roti Canai Special” was a masterpiece – a gloriously flaky roti, drenched in a pool of not-too-spicy curry. Two soft-boiled eggs and a spoonful of sweet sambal completed the picture, a perfect harmony of textures and flavors. This wasn’t haute cuisine, but it was a damn delicious no-frills introduction to Malaysia’s underrated food scene.
I enjoyed the teh tarik here so much that I had to learn how to make it myself, check out my recipe here: https://www.tastetripping.net/blog_recipes/authentic-teh-tarik/
| Address: | Jalan Masjid India, No 2, Lorong Bunus Satu, Selangor Mansion, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50100 |
| What We Had: | Teh tahrik and roti canai |
| Rating: | 4.5 / 5 |
A Malaysian Spin on Chocolate at Harriston Boutique
Our bellies full of teh tahrik and roti canai, we hit the streets for a post-breakfast stroll. Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts – gleaming skyscrapers reaching for the sky while pockets of rainforest cling on for dear life. We stumbled upon Harriston Boutique on Jalan Ampang, a haven for chocolate aficionados. The friendly staff, were practically shoving free samples at us. Now, I’m a sucker for a good durian challenge (cue Mark Wiens grin), so naturally, the durian chocolate was first up… and it was surprisingly great. The pungent king of fruits somehow morphed into a creamy, decadent treat.
| Address | Malaysia Tourism Centre, 139, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, MY 50450 |
| What We Had | Durian Dark Chocolate |
| Rating | 5 / 5 |
Central Market and Petaling Street
Sort of winded from our walkathon, we took a Grab back to our Airbnb for a power nap. Refreshed and ready to explore, we hit Central Market – a chaotic wonderland of batik fabrics, trinkets, and enough durian paraphernalia to make your eyes water (seriously, who buys a durian phone case?). Speaking of durian, now ended up being the time to brave some surprisingly refreshing durian ice cream. Maybe it’s an acquired taste, or maybe my taste buds were just messed up from the chocolate.
| Name | Central Market |
| Address | Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50050 |
| What We Had | Musang King Durian Ice Cream |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 |
Next stop, Petaling Street – KL’s Chinatown and a bustling daytime scene. Stalls overflowed with everything from knock-off sneakers to silk scarves, a treasure trove for bargain hunters and souvenir seekers. Dinner was at Westlake Petaling Street Restaurant, where I just had to try one of their frog dishes and Hokkien Mee noodles – a surprisingly interesting amphibian adventure to say the least. Hey, when in Rome, Malaysia…or something like that.
| Name | Westlake Petaling Street Restaurant |
| Address | 40 Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50000 |
| What We Had | Frog with Spring Onions and Hokkien Mee Noodles |
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 |
Lunch in Bricksfield at Money Corner’s Food and Beverage Station
Day four brought us to Brickfields, KL’s Little India. The air thrummed with Bollywood beats and the intoxicating aroma of Indian spices. Lunch was a chaotic, glorious affair at Money Corner’s Food and Beverage Station – a cafeteria on steroids pumping out fragrant curries and bowls of noodles like there’s no tomorrow. I dove headfirst into a banana leaf rice platter at Moorthy’s Mathai Indian Rice. Chicken curry, creamy tofu masala, vibrant fried greens with garlic, and crispy papadums – a collection of textures and flavors, devoured with my bare hands like a local.
| Name | Moorthy’s Mathai Indian Rice |
| Address | Money Corner’s Food and Beverage Station, 144A Jalan Vivekananda, Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50470 |
| What We Had | Banana Leaf Rice Platter |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 |
Love opted for Peter’s Pork Noodles – a dish created by a local legend for a mere RM $6.50. No need for fancy plating, this was pure, unadulterated comfort food. It was a bowl of springy noodles cradling minced pork, a medley of mixed innards, and a cloudy broth that whispered of long-simmered goodness and a delicate sweetness.
| Name | Peter’s Pork Noodles |
| Address | Money Corner’s Food and Beverage Station, 144A Jalan Vivekananda, Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50470 |
| What We Had | Pork Noodles With Egg |
| Rating | 3 / 5 |
Old Town White Coffee
Fifth day, and the caffeine cravings were real. It was time to pay Old Town White Coffee a visit, a chain as ubiquitous as Starbucks in Malaysia. Their creamy white coffee is legendary, a perfect pick-me-up for bleary-eyed explorers. Sticking to my guns, I opted for their teh tarik. Sweet, frothy, and packing a good punch of tea flavor, it wasn’t quite the Mansion Tea Stall revelation, but still a satisfying sip.
| Address | Old Town Heritage Centre, Jalan Panglima, Ipoh (entrance of Concubine Lane), Kuala Lumpur, MY |
| What We Had | Old Town White Coffee and Teh Tahrik |
| Rating | 4 / 5 |
Cendol Durian at Chow Kit Market
Next stop, Cendol Durian at Chow Kit Market – possibly a rite of passage for any durian devotee. The object of desire? A legendary concoction of creamy coconut milk, wobbly pandan jelly, and of course, the spiky king of fruits himself. For whatever reason, it reminded me of a Southeast Asian version of a childhood breakfast cereal, just as a dessert.
Now, the taste…well, that’s where things get interesting. For the durian-uninitiated, the raw fruit itself can be a bit of a gasoline punch to the palate. For those who embrace the pungence of durian, it’s a combination of sweet, savory, and funky, all tied together by the cooling embrace of shaved ice.
| Address | Jln Raja Alang, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50300 |
| What We Had | Cendol Durian |
| Rating | 4/5 |
Jalan Alor
The night time vibe of Jalan Alor was electric, the air thick with the intoxicating aroma of sizzling satay and grilling seafood. We dove headfirst, a smorgasbord of flavors attacking our tastebuds – giant river prawns, juicy chicken satay, and crispy greens with enough garlic to ward off any evil spirits (real or metaphorical). The sheer variety was mind-blowing – colorful shomai next to grilled stingray, plump oysters glistening under the lights. Jalan Alor is a feast for all senses, a chaotic, glorious celebration of Malaysian hawker culture.
| Address | Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50200 |
| What We Had | Grilled River Prawns, Chicken Satay, Fried Greens |
| Rating | 4 / 5 |
Nasi Lemak at Onde Onde in Sunway Putra Mall
Kuala Lumpur’s national dish called. We answered at Onde Onde in Sunway Putra Mall, indulging in a relatively more upscale nasi lemak. My plate? A flavor festival – funky dried anchovies, crunchy peanuts, melt-in-your-mouth beef rendang, perfectly fried chicken, fiery sambal, and refreshing cucumber. Love opted for the stunning butterfly blue pea flower rice version and a cup of bold, overflowing Malaysian copi tahrik.
| Address | L1-31 & 32, Level 1, Sunway Putra Mall, No. 100, Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur, MY 50350 |
| What We Had | Nasi lemak, cold copi tahrik, hot teh tahrik |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 |
Bubble Bee Cafe
During one of our endless exploratory walks around Petaling Street, we found ourselves lost in an alley decked out with vibrant street art and that captivating contrast of modern and old architecture KL is known for. Nestled within this artistic enclave, we discovered the Bubble Bee Cafe, an artsy gem that beckoned us with its inviting charm. Here, we couldn’t resist indulging in one of their popular Matcha Egg Waffles.
The portion was generously heaping, perfect for sharing. The Matcha Egg Waffles were quite a find, their subtle bitterness balanced by the sweet freshness of strawberries and the airy elegance of whipped cream. The addition of sweet beans added a surprising texture and depth to the dish. It was pure bliss, a delightful convergence of flavors and textures that felt both familiar and exotic.
| Address | 139, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| What We Had | Matcha Egg Waffles |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 |
Fat Boy Lok Lok near Petaling Street
Our KL food trip reached its delicious climax at Fat Boy Lok Lok , tucked away near Petaling Street right across from The 5 Elements Hotel. Now, was this a playful nod to the legendary Fat Brother Satay, or a bold rebranding effort? Honestly, in the face of these sizzling skewers, who cares?
This stall was a sizzling crescendo of skewers – chicken, beef, succulent prawns for the satay connoisseur, and a vibrant selection of veggie options for the health-conscious. Three dipping sauces stood at attention, ready to elevate each bite: the classic, nutty peanut sauce, a fiery chili number, and a tangy BBQ that added a sweet and smoky layer. This wasn’t just meat on a stick guys, this was smoky char, juicy protein, and crisp-tender vegetables, all tied together by the magic of those three dipping sauces. An amazing set of textures and flavors, a perfect send-off to a city that had stolen our hearts (and our appetites).
| Address | Across The 5 Elements Hotel located at Chinatown, 243, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| What We Had | Beef, pork, prawn, and octopus satay |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 |
Things To Do
The Petronas Towers
After breakfast on our first day in Kuala Lumpur, we took a leisurely walk through the city and couldn’t help but notice the awe-inspiring juxtaposition of modern architecture and lush vegetation. Just as we were marveling at the stunning contrast, a sudden downpour sent us scrambling for cover. Luckily, fate (or maybe the rain) led us right to the foot of the Petronas Towers which were even more breathtaking in person.
While time constraints prevented us from exploring the interior on this trip (a mental note for our next visit!), we learned that there are tours available that take visitors inside the towers, culminating at the observation deck boasting epic panoramic city views.
The Batu Caves
Fueled by roti canai and goals of cultural immersion, our third day kicked off with a visit to the Batu Caves – a gem I stumbled upon on Instagram long before I even thought about visiting Malaysia (thanks, travel gods!). These limestone caves are said to be around 400 million years old, a marvel steeped in both spiritual significance and geological intrigue. A towering, 42.7-meter gold-painted statue of Lord Murugan stood guard at the entrance, a majestic symbol of the Hindu faith practiced here.
The climb up the vibrantly painted stairs was a moderately challenging affair, but not because of the ascent (though it did get your heart rate up a bit). The real obstacle course? The notorious long-tailed macaques, mischievous monkeys known for their sticky fingers and extortive ways – watch your cell phones, sunglasses and bottled water, guys!
Once inside the cool embrace of the cave, the ambiance changed. Hindu temples and statues lined the cavern walls, pilgrims chanted prayers, and a sense of spiritual serenity washed over me. This wasn’t just a tourist attraction; it was a living, breathing spiritual center, a stark contrast to the bustling city we’d just left behind. The Batu Caves were a powerful reminder of KL’s rich heritage of cultural diversity, and a truly unforgettable experience.
Genting Highlands
After exploring the depths of the Batu Caves, we took a Grab to Awana SkyWay and hopped on a cable car to Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands. As an avid gamer, the ride was like something ripped straight out of Final Fantasy 7. Soaring high above the misty jungles, neon lights of the resort twinkling in the distance. Resorts World Genting itself? Think a miniature Las Vegas on a mountaintop – a sprawling complex of casinos, shopping malls, and enough amusement rides for the kids.
On the way down from Resorts World Genting, we paid the Chin Swee Caves Temple a visit. A colossal Buddha statue greeted us, his tranquil gaze against a backdrop of emerald slopes. A towering pagoda reaching for the sky whispered of Malaysian Chinese culture and Buddhist faith. This was a potent reminder that KL’s soul wasn’t just hawker stalls and skyscrapers, but a tapestry woven with ancient traditions and modern marvels.
Genting Highlands was a bizarre, unforgettable microcosm of KL – Vegas on a mountaintop, complete with casinos, neon lights, and an epic Chinese Buddhist temple for good measure. A chaotic yet strangely serene cherry on top of our Malaysian escape.
The Cage
While hunting for a killer baju batik at the upscale Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, we stumbled into an unexpected right hook – The Cage. The owner, a charismatic character who reminded me of a Malaysian version of Dana White, approached us with the enthusiasm of a seasoned fight promoter. With a glint in his eye, he convinced us to come back and enjoy some fights and food, promising an experience we wouldn’t forget. Long story short, we had to come back.
Admission was free, as long as you patronized their restaurant – an offer too good to refuse. That evening, we returned to The Cage and I found myself watching live kickboxing for the first time, a thrilling experience that perfectly complemented my love for MMA. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd’s cheers and the sounds of shin on chin filling the air.
BookXcess
In the labyrinthine expanse of Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, BookXcess stands out as a sanctuary for bibliophiles and art aficionados alike. Imagine wandering through aisles lined with books, each section adorned with vibrant art installations that beckon you to explore further. The place is super artsy, with every corner presenting an Instagram-worthy backdrop, perfect for capturing the essence of your literary journey.
The air is filled with the comforting aroma of coffee from the in-house café, providing a cozy nook to enjoy a new novel or simply watch the world go by. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and you can lose yourself in the pages of a book or the intricacies of the artwork. For those who revel in the written word or appreciate visual artistry, BookXcess is a delightful escape.
Central Market
Our last KL hurrah demanded some souvenir shopping. Central Market, a treasure trove of all things Malaysian, would be our happy hunting ground. First up? A stash of Old Town White Coffee, a local legend guaranteed to fuel many a morning back home. We also unearthed a haul of souvenirs – placemats, refrigerator magnets, the works – to make good on the Filipino tradition of pasalubong. Leaving KL empty-handed wasn’t an option, and Central Market ensured we departed with a suitcase full of memories (and goodies) to share with friends and family back in the Philippines.
Conclusion
KL left me mystified – a roundhouse kick of culture and cuisine. From the frothy magic of Mansion Tea Stall’s teh tarik to the electrifying fights at The Cage, every moment pulsed with discovery. Bustling markets, grandiose temples, and an underrated food scene. Skyscrapers met incense smoke, each corner a hidden story. KL didn’t end up being just a visa run for me, it’s a city that lingers and makes me want to return for another round.