After Malaysia recently made it into the top ten in the “Welcoming Countries Rank”, the capital Kuala Lumpur now shines in the next travel ranking. Lonely Planet recently published its “Best Places to Eat in 2023” list. Miles of street food markets selling local delicacies, streets lined with restaurants and a lively bar scene make Kuala Lumpur one of the world’s most popular culinary hotspots – take a walking tour.
Diversity is very important in Malaysian cuisine. Because the country is a colorful melting pot of cultures, ethnic groups and religions. Culinary influences come primarily from China, Thailand, India and Sumatra. So it’s no wonder that rice, coconut and peanuts set the tasty trend. There are also popular meat side dishes such as satay, grilled meat on bamboo skewers, or rendang, a spicy stew. Exotic spices such as cardamom and turmeric are always included, so it never gets boring for gourmets here.
The best way to experience the local cuisine is at one of the many street food stands. There, in addition to other delicacies, those willing to try it will also find the Malaysian counterpart to fondue, the so-called steamboat. Tasty meat and vegetable skewers are cooked on site in boiling hot water and freshly prepared in front of the market visitors.
The Tang City Food Court, a small covered hall in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, also offers many small food stands. The famous naan bread is prepared right here at the stand and can be enjoyed fresh from the oven. Nasi Kandar is a good choice for those who are hungry – a kind of buffet where guests can choose and taste various dishes from open bowls.
Chinatown is less spicy but no less tasty. Many pasta dishes are served here instead of rice, soy sauce and vegetables dominate instead of chili and sambal. Also in Chinatown is the well-known Petaling Street Market, a night market that opens its doors in the early evening until 11 p.m.
If you’re not yet in a food coma, you should hit the ground running and explore the city’s many sights. For example, there are the Petronas Towers. At over 450 meters tall, they easily tower over Kuala Lumpur. From 1998 to 2004 they were even considered the tallest buildings in the world. Another real giant is the Masjid Negara, Malaysia’s national mosque. Around 15,000 believers can be seated here at the same time.
The Batu Caves are located a few kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. Several Hindu temples have found a home in the limestone caves. Guests are greeted by a large statue.
