Being a city that boasts of gleaming skyscrapers and myriad of natural attractions you would be totally amazed to know the city is equally popular for the street food in Kuala Lumpur. Promising a dining experience as universal as its skyline, this Malaysian city never disappoints the real-time foodie inside you. If you ever happen to visit Kuala Lumpur someday, an unusual thing that you will notice about the place is that more than the elegant and spacious restaurants, it is the narrow lanes and streets of Kuala Lumpur that echo with the bustle of real food lovers and hawkers at food stalls preparing some of the prime dishes of the city.
Street foods in Kuala Lumpur
There is something exceptional about the street food in Kuala Lumpur that tantalizes the taste buds of anyone and everyone who gets to experience the exotic cuisines of Kuala Lumpur streets in Malaysia.
1. Satay
This cuisine is all about seasoned meat skewered on a bamboo stick grilled to taste over a hot fire. Served with a tangy peanut sauce, this mouthwatering treat is the best Malaysian Street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Best area to eat: Jalan Alor at Yan Restaurant, Fika Buranda, Sander Rugaev
Cost per person: Approximately 2 MYR- 10 MYR
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2. Nasi Lemak
A Malaysian fragrant rice dish, Nasi Lemak is the cultural icon of the city. The fragrant rice dish is cooked in coconut milk and served with roasted peanuts, boiled eggs, sweet and spicy sambal and crunchy anchovies. Most the travellers like to pair it with fried chicken for a lip-smacking meal.
Best area to eat: Jalan Peel at Nasi Lemak, Kukus Chef Fauzey
Cost per person: Approximately 9 MYR
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3. Rojak
Much referred to in the Malaysian language as a mixture, Rojak is a local salad that is a mixture of pineapple, cucumber, jicama, green mango. It also fritters of dough covered in sticky black sauce and is garnished with finely cut ginger flowers and chopped peanuts. This healthy cuisine is served with sweet shrimp paste and ground peanuts.
Best area to eat: Jalan Penaga at Rojak Truck
Cost per person: Approximately 2 MYR- 10 MYR
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4. Nasi Kandar
Feast like a lord on one of the staple foods of Penang. Nasi Kandar is a dish that comprises of steamed rice(plain or mildly flavoured) and is served with a variety of curries. The dish is accompanied by side dishes like curried spleen, fish roe, deep-fried chicken, and fried prawns and squid. A divine combination of sauces is poured onto the rice which imparts a flavour to the rice.
Best area to eat: Pelang at Peli Nasi Kandar
Cost per person: Approximately 7 MYR to 15 MYR
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5. Ikan Bakar
This spicy barbecue fish cuisine is street food at its best. Wrapped in a banana leaf and then grilled over a charcoal fire gives a clear way to the aroma of banana leaves and spice into the fish. This dish is loaded with flavours and is served with a dipping sauce which is a mixture of garlic, lime and chopped chilli. This perfect Malaysian street food in Kuala Lumpur can be enjoyed anytime anywhere.
Best area to eat: Jalan TAR at Ika Nasi Campur
Cost per person: Approximately 10 MYR to 12 MYR
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6. Ramly Burger
Famous across the whole of Malaysia, Ramly burgers are commonly found in every roadside stall of Kuala Lumpur. These burgers come with chicken or beef patties and some patties are wrapped in an egg which makes them “special”. These burgers are generously greasy and the patty inside is effortlessly more juice with a pack of flavours.
Best area to eat: Found in every roadside stall
Cost per person: Approximately 14 MYR to 20 MYR
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7. Asam Laksa
Creating the most tantalising flavour, Assam Laksa is all about rice noodles cooked in spicy fish broth or in a coconut milk curry base. Ingredients such as fresh shallots, pineapple slices and shrimp paste all add up to give an authentic taste to the dish. You can opt to try a variety of laksa dishes that are served in Kuala Lumpur.
Best area to eat: Jalan Hujan Rahmat at Kedai Makanan Ah Loy
Cost per person: Approximately 7 MYR to 10 MYR
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8. Lok Lok
Skewered on sticks and partially cooked, Lok Lok is a favourite night street food in Kuala Lumpur for the locals. Generally served at the back of the truck, you can find luscious sticks of bacon and sausages filled with cheese and also sticks of meat and vegetables. These sticks are cooked in a hot pot and are quite affordable. It is without a doubt the best street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Best area to eat: Jalan Perak, Penang at Padang Brown Hawker
Cost per person: Approximately 1 MYR to 3.50 MYR
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9. Bak Kut Teh
Best for your breakfast or dinner, Bak Kut Teh has a series of flavours and fragrances. Pork ribs are cooked with choy sum(Chinese vegetable), different cuts of meat as loin ribs and tenderloin. A mound of white rice can keep you get going. This dish turns to sell out quickly in the markets of Kuala Lumpur and you will have to be really quick in getting one for yourself.
Best area to eat: Klang and Kepong
Cost per person: 10 MYR to 20 MYR
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10. Cendol
Escape the heat with a bowl of shaved ice topped with pandan jelly of creamy coconut milk, rice noodles and palm sugar. A perfect combination of sweet and cold, this generous dessert is a must-have in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Best area to eat: Penang Road at Ah Keong’s ABC & Ice Cendol Stall
Cost per person: 4 MYR to 10 MYR
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We hope you not only enjoy your trip to gorgeous Malaysia but also get a chance to wander its street in search of delicious food.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Street Food In Kuala Lumpur
What are the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur?
Petronas Tower, Batu Caves, National Mosque Of Malaysia, Little India and Jalan Alor are some of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.
What are the street food timings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?
Street food in Kuala Lumpur is available from morning 06:00 AM to 00:00 Hours.
Is it safe to visit Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, absolutely! Kuala Lumpur is one of the safest places to visit in the world and the low crime rate only acts as an evidence of the same.
What should I Wear in Kuala Lumpur?
Skirts, shorts, jeans, dresses, t-shirts and any kind of clothes can be worn in Kuala Lumpur. However, there are certain places that follow a dress code and you will be asked to respect the same.
Can a tourist prefer vegan food to get vegetarian dishes with street food vendors in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, they can try vegan dishes like Cendol, rice with vegan curries, vegetable noodles, and a vegetable burger from the street food vendors in Kuala Lumpur.
Where can one try Malay street food late at night?
The late-night arrival tourists can visit the streets of Devi’s Corner, Jalan Alor, Nasi Kandar Pelita, and the Port to eat authentic Malaya foods in KL during the wee hours.
Do street food stalls prepare fresh seafood in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, hygiene is priority! And the street food stalls prepare seafood culinary with fresh fish and shrimps.
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A writer by hobby and an ardent traveler by heart has what encouraged me to pen down my experiences in every way possible and to also take up this profession as a writer. Getting to know about different places all around the world and putting down my own thoughts on paper with my own touch of creativity is what keeps me going!
