The 7 Biggest Local Street Food in Kuala Lumpur

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Malaysia, a multi-ethnic country, is home to a diverse culinary landscape. Street food is an integral part of Malaysian culture, reflecting the country’s rich heritage and vibrant street life. Here are five of the most popular and widely enjoyed local street foods in Malaysia:

1. Satay:

  • Skewered and grilled meat, poultry, or seafood marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and herbs, often served with a peanut sauce and ketupat (compressed rice cakes).

2. Nasi Lemak:

  • A fragrant coconut rice dish commonly eaten for breakfast or lunch, often accompanied by various side dishes such as fried chicken, curried vegetables, sambal (chili paste), and peanuts.

3. Roti Canai:

  • A flatbread made from dough stretched and twirled before being cooked on a hot griddle, typically served with dhal (lentil soup) or curry.

4. Wantan Mee:

  • A noodle dish featuring springy egg noodles tossed in a savory sauce, typically made with minced pork, vegetables, and wantan (dumplings).

5. Hokkien Mee:

  • A flavorful noodle dish consisting of stir-fried thick yellow noodles with seafood, pork, and vegetables, commonly served with a chili-based sauce.
Sami's Corner in Kuala Lumpur
Sami’s Corner in Kuala Lumpur

The 7 Biggest Local Street Food near Kuala Lumpur

Street food

  • Address: Lrg Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.1 (67)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Dita✭✭✭✭✭
    11 months ago
    Been there a couple times already. Authentic Malaysian food. Fast and polite service, very cheap, tastes good and portions are huge. Will definitely go there again during my stay here.
    Kumaresan Kanagasawai✭✭✭✭✭
    a year ago
    Your perfect food partner just at the corner of the road side. Alot of choices to choose & very tasty too. Amazingly clean even at the road side stall.
    Ibnu ZulK✭✭✭✭✭
    a year ago
    Authentic taste malaysian food! I will definitely come again next time!
    Kevin Kiraga✭✭✭✭✭
    5 years ago
    Good street food. Variety of coffee/tea, fruit stalls and breakfast/lunch buffets. I had a full plate of rice with a mix of diferent veggies and one teh tarik for 11 RM. There is also one stall that serves teh tarik for 1 RM. Actually it was the best teh tarik i had. Its the last stall if you come from the beginning of the alley coming out of Jalan P Ramlee. Enjoy!
    Hazim Zulkefli✭✭✭✭✭
    a year ago
    Many food to choose from. The food is good and the vibe is authentic malaysia

KL Pudu Wai Sek Kai 半山芭为食街

  • Address: Jalan Sayur, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.7 (1121)
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
    Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
    Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
    Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
    Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
    Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
    Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Curt P✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    There are probably 30-40 food & drink stalls in this hawkers street food walk that can get pretty busy on weekends. Tried a few stalls and my fav is about half way down the walk, on the right side – wok fried radish cake. Fresh/hot made to order, you can add bean sprouts, pickled radish & garlic. Very tasty, good portions at reasonable prices. Nice staff who also speaks English. Def would come back for more 🙂
    Missie Soh✭✭✭✭
    4 months ago
    A very local style hawker street in KL, it brought us back to the old times. We would recommend the Chee Cheong Fan with Pork Skin in Curry Sauce (not much special, but it’s good with generous amount of curry sauce and sesame given), and the steam chicken (it’s smooth and tasty, the way we like it). If you love to have something to warm your stomach, the Pork Porridge here was also good. The food prices here reasonable and would recommend for a try.
    Milanzics Yeo✭✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    Pudu Wai Sek Kai is a gastronomic adventure waiting to be explored. The vibrant street, lined with hawker stalls, is a symphony of flavors and aromas. From local delights like Char Kway Teow to international bites, the variety is staggering. As the sun sets, the street comes alive with the sizzle of woks and the laughter of food enthusiasts. Pudu Wai Sek Kai isn’t just a culinary destination; it’s a journey through the heart of Malaysian street food, where every bite tells a story and every stall has its own delicious secret to share.
    Raymond Chia✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    This is for the curry noodle stall (first stall on the left side as you walk along jalan Sayur. Tasty curry mee. Portion is ok. Curry broth is just nice.
    Marcus Leong✭✭✭✭
    5 months ago
    Delicious local street food, a few famous dishes. Chee cheong fun, fried chicken, porridge, good. There is a empty parking lot nearby.

Pudu Glutton Street Night Market

  • Address: Jalan Sayur, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.9 (640)

龙记为食街

  • Address: 84, Jln Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.9 (86)

HongKong Street Food

  • Address: Jalan Metro Perdana Timur, Taman Usahawan Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 2.5 (2)

Jalan Alor Food Street

  • Address: Jln Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (5767)

Asia Street Food Club – Jalan Petaling

  • Address: 147, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.8 (35)
Sami's Corner in Kuala Lumpur
Sami’s Corner in Kuala Lumpur

Explore prominent consulting firms in neighboring countries, such as those referenced in Pakse, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, to gain insights into the dynamic business landscape of ASEAN. These firms contribute to the region’s enterprise vibrancy, positioning Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a hub for strategic insights and innovative solutions.

Top Local Street Food Alternatives in Kuala Lumpur

Petaling Street (Malay: Jalan Petaling, Simplified Chinese: 茨厂街, Traditional Chinese: 茨廠街, pinyin: Cíchǎng Jiē, Cantonese jyutping: ci4 cong2 gaai1,Tamil: பெட்டாலிங் தெரு , Peṭṭāliṅ teru ) is a Chinatown located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The whole vicinity is also known as Chinatown KL. Haggling is a common sight here and the place is usually crowded with locals as well as tourists.
The area has dozens of restaurants and food stalls, serving local favourites such as Hokkien mee, Ikan Bakar (barbecued fish), asam laksa and curry noodles. Reggae Bar Chinatown is located here. 
Traders here are mainly Chinese but there are also Indian, Malay, and Bangladeshi traders. It is also known for street prostitution.

The Biggest Local Street Food in Malaysia

In Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, street food is a vibrant and integral part of the local culture. There are countless options to choose from, but here are the top three local street food alternatives that are extremely popular among locals and tourists alike:

  • Nasi Lemak – Nasi Lemak is often considered Malaysia’s national dish. It consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with various accompaniments. The most common accompaniments are spicy sambal sauce, fried chicken, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and a boiled egg. Nasi Lemak can be found at virtually every street corner in Kuala Lumpur and is a must-try for any food lover visiting the city.
  • Roti Canai – Roti Canai, also known as Indian pancake, is a popular street food choice for breakfast or a quick snack. It is made from a simple dough of flour, water, and ghee (clarified butter), which is then stretched, tossed, and fried on a flat griddle. Roti Canai is usually served with a side of different curries, such as chicken, fish, or vegetarian. The flaky, crispy texture of the roti combined with the flavorful curries make it a delightful culinary experience.
  • Cendol – Cendol is a refreshing dessert that originated from Southeast Asia, and it has become a beloved street food item in Kuala Lumpur. It is made with shaved ice, green worm-like pandan jelly noodles, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. Sometimes, additional toppings like red beans or sweet corn are added for extra flavor and texture. Cendol is perfect to beat the heat and is often consumed as a sweet treat or a mid-day pick-me-up.

These three top local street food alternatives in Kuala Lumpur offer a taste of Malaysia’s diverse culinary scene. Whether you are craving something savory like Nasi Lemak, a satisfying snack like Roti Canai, or a refreshing dessert like Cendol, Kuala Lumpur’s street food has plenty to offer for every palate.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Local Street Food spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.

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