Being a city that boasts of gleaming skyscrapers and innumerable natural attractions, you will be totally surprised to know that the city is equally popular for street food in Kuala Lumpur. Promising a dining experience as universal as its horizons, This Malaysian city never disappoints the real-time foodie inside you. If you ever visit Kuala Lumpur, one unusual thing you will notice about the place is that more than the beautiful and huge restaurants, it is the narrow lanes and roads of Kuala Lumpur that buzz with the hustle and bustle of real food lovers. Hawkers at food stalls are preparing some of the main dishes of the city.
street food in kuala lumpur
There is something extraordinary about street food in kuala lumpur It tantalizes the taste buds of anyone who has experienced the exotic cuisine of the streets of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
1. Satye
This dish is all about seasoned meat cooked on a bamboo stick to taste over hot fire. This delicious dish served with spicy peanut sauce is the best Malaysian street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Best areas to eat: Yan Restaurant at Jalan Alor, Fika Buranda, Sander Rugev
Cost per person: Around 2 MYR- 10 MYR
Must read: 14 exciting things to do in Genting Highlands that will give you the best tour of Kuala Lumpur!
2. Fatty Rice
Nasi Lemak, a Malaysian fragrant rice dish, is a cultural icon of the city. Fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and served with roasted peanuts, boiled eggs, sweet and spicy sambal and crunchy anchovies. Most travelers like to eat it with fried chicken for a delicious meal.
Best areas to eat: Nasi Lemak at Jalan Peel, cooked by Chef Fauji
Cost per person: around 9 MYR
Read suggestions: Kuala Lumpur nightlife: best clubs, bars and markets
3. Rojak
image Source
Known as Mix in Malaysian language, Rojak is a local salad which is a mixture of pineapple, cucumber, jicama, green mango. It also consists of flour fritters covered in sticky black chutney and garnished with finely chopped ginger flowers and chopped peanuts. This healthy dish is served with sweet shrimp paste and ground peanuts.
Best areas to eat: Rojak Truck in Jalan Penaga
Cost per person: Around 2 MYR- 10 MYR
Read suggestions: 4 Restaurants Near Petronas Twin Towers In Kuala Lumpur To Enjoy Good Food
4. Kandar Rice
Feast like a god on one of Penang’s staple foods. Nasi Kandar is a dish that consists of steamed rice (plain or mildly flavored) and is served with a variety of curries. The dish is also accompanied by side dishes such as curry spleen, fish roe, deep-fried chicken, and fried prawns and squid. A divine combination of sauces are poured over the rice which imparts a flavourful taste to the rice.
Best areas to eat: Pelang in Peli Nasi Kandar
Cost per person: Around 7 MYR to 15 MYR
Read suggestions: 10 Top Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur
5. Grilled Fish
image Source
This spicy barbecue fish dish is the ultimate street food. Wrapped in banana leaves and then cooked over coal fire, the aroma of banana leaves and spices comes out clearly in the fish. This dish is full of flavors and is served with a dipping sauce which is a mixture of garlic, lemon and chopped chillies. This exquisite Malaysian street food can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere in Kuala Lumpur.
Best areas to eat: Jalan TAR at Ika Nasi Camper
Cost per person: Around 10 MYR to 12 MYR
Read suggestions: 5 amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur for adventure on your holidays
6. Ramli Burger
image Source
Famous throughout Malaysia, Ramli burgers are commonly found in every roadside stall in Kuala Lumpur. These burgers come with chicken or beef patties and some patties are wrapped in egg which makes them “special”. These burgers are extremely greasy and the patty inside is effortlessly juicy with a pack of flavor.
Best areas to eat: Available at every roadside shop
Cost per person: Around 14 MYR to 20 MYR
Read suggestions: 19 Best Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur: City of Lights
7. Sour Laksa
Creating the most delicious taste, Assam Laksa is all about rice noodles cooked in spicy fish broth or coconut milk curry base. Ingredients like fresh onions, pineapple pieces and shrimp paste together give an authentic taste to the dish. You can choose to try a variety of laksa dishes served in Kuala Lumpur.
Best areas to eat: Ah Loy Food Store at Jalan Hujan Rahmat
Cost per person: Around 7 MYR to 10 MYR
Read suggestions: 3 places to visit near Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
8. Lok Lok
Skewered on sticks and partially cooked, lok lok is a favorite night street food in Kuala Lumpur for locals. Usually served out of the back of a truck, you can also find delicious sticks of bacon and sausage stuffed with cheese, and meat and vegetable sticks. These sticks are cooked in a hot pot and are quite inexpensive. It doesn’t have any message The best street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Best areas to eat: Jalan Perak, Penang and Padang Brown Hawker
Cost per person: Around 1 MYR to 3.50 MYR
Read suggestions: Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur to Surprise Your Spouse!
9. Bak Kut Teh
image Source
Best for your breakfast or dinner, Bak Kut Teh has a range of flavors and aromas. Pig ribs cooked with choy sum (Chinese vegetable), individual pieces of meat such as loin ribs and tenderloin. A pile of white rice can help get you going. This delicacy sells out quickly in the markets of Kuala Lumpur and you will have to be very quick to purchase it for yourself.
Best areas to eat: Klang and Kepong
Cost per person: 10 MYR to 20 MYR
Read suggestions: Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur to Surprise Your Spouse!
10. Cendol
image Source
To beat the heat, top a bowl of ice cream with creamy coconut milk, rice noodles and palm sugar pandan jelly. A perfect combination of sweet and cold, this indulgent dessert is a must-have on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Best areas to eat: Ah Keong’s ABC and Ice Cendol Stall on Penang Road
Cost per person: 4 MYR to 10 MYR
read ahead: 10 top day trips for couples in Kuala Lumpur for an unforgettable vacation
We hope you not only enjoy your visit to gorgeous Malaysia, but also get a chance to wander its streets in search of delicious food.
Please click here for our editorial code of conduct and copyright disclaimer
FAQs About Street Food in Kuala Lumpur
What are the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur?
Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, National Mosque of Malaysia, Little India and Jalan Alor are some of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.
What time is street food in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?
Street food in Kuala Lumpur is available from 06:00 am to 00:00 am.
Is it safe to travel to Kuala Lumpur?
Yes of course! Kuala Lumpur is one of the safest places to visit in the world and the low crime rate is just proof of that.
What should I wear in Kuala Lumpur?
Skirts, shorts, jeans, dresses, T-shirts and any other type of clothing can be worn in Kuala Lumpur. However, there are some places that follow a dress code and you will be asked to respect it.
Can a tourist prefer vegetarian food to get vegetarian dishes from street food vendors in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, they can try vegetarian dishes like cendol, rice with vegetarian curry, vegetable noodles and vegetable burgers from street food vendors in Kuala Lumpur.
Where can one try Malay street food late at night?
Late night visitors can head to Devi Corner, Jalan Alor, Nasi Kandar Pelita and harbor streets to eat authentic Malay food in KL during the wee hours.
Do street food stalls in Kuala Lumpur prepare fresh seafood?
Yes, cleanliness is a priority! And street food stalls prepare seafood with fresh fish and prawns.
Are you looking to book an international holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TourTravelHotels with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
People also read:
Best Street Food in Yogyakarta, Best Street Food in Macau, Best Street Food in Seville