This post contains affiliate links. If you book something through these links I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about my disclosure and affiliate policy here.
…
Just before I arrived in Malaysia I had watched No Reservations by the late Anthony Bourdain and my mouth started watering. I was going to find the best food in Kuala Lumpur just like he did! It was a slightly daunting task. While I know my way around foodie cities Bangkok, Hanoi, and Singapore quite well, I had not been to Kuala Lumpur in ages.
Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur? I vaguely remembered a busy street in Chinatown with dim sum and longan juice that I had to drink as I was sick during my stay. Other than that, I was clueless. So I decided to sign up with A Chef’s Tour as they run two different street food tours in Kuala Lumpur. I was going to let experts show me the ropes. It turned out to be a good idea…
QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR KUALA LUMPUR TRIP
My favorites hotels in Kuala Lumpur
- Tian Jing Hotel – Small, historic boutique hotel located in the heart of Chinatown.
- lyf Chinatown – Modern city hotel with amenities like laundromat, cafe & gym.
- The Chow Kit – Beautiful inexpensive boutique hotel in Chow Kit.
The best food tours in Kuala Lumpur
- Private food tour in Kuala Lumpur
- Sambal Streets – 15 Malay, Indian & Arab dishes
- Laksa Lanes – 15 great Malay-Chinese dishes
Practical things
How to find the best food in Kuala Lumpur with a food tour
I pretty much do food tours in any city I visit (if I know that they have an interesting culinary scene). This has included the aforementioned Bangkok, Singapore, and Hanoi, as well as Delhi and Thessaloniki, with Mumbai and Helsinki to follow soon. Kuala Lumpur is one of the best places to join a food tour though and here is why:
Convenience// I think food tours are a great introduction to most cities as you not only get a meal but also a glimpse into a place’s history and culture. There are many cities where history and culture shape their culinary scene and vice versa. Kuala Lumpur is such a place. A literal melting pot of cuisines with influences from the Malay, Chinese, and Indian populations. This makes for an exciting mix when it comes to the food in Kuala Lumpur.
When you book a food tour in Kuala Lumpur you get to eat at some of the best restaurants around town and sample a lot of food in a short amount of time. In addition, you will get a mini city tour and history lesson on the go.
Curation // Though where to find the best street food in Kuala Lumpur can be an intimidating task for a visitor. Especially if you are new to the city or short on time. This is where a food tour can help as they are curated by local foodies or chefs. You will eat where a local would eat and won’t have to search on TripAdvisor like a deer in headlights.
Many little restaurants and street food stalls are known for one or two dishes only that they have perfected over time. During a food tour you will move from one place to the next only sampling the highlight of each eatery.
Hygiene // To be honest, I seem to have a pretty iron stomach. I had a mild issue once in India after a vendor on the train to Pushkar had put his not-so-clean thumb on my samosa but other than that I rarely have stomach issues when traveling. But I know others are not as lucky and tend to fear street food usually for a lack of hygiene or too much spice.
This is where a food tour in Kuala Lumpur can help to alleviate fears. Stalls are carefully selected not just for taste but also for their hygienic standards. And since you are going to places that are busy, food gets sold quickly and isn’t standing around – you will eat as fresh as it gets. Plus your guide can help with translations to adjust spice levels or warn you of any ingredients if you have allergies.
EXPLORING INDIA ONE BITE AT A TIME & HOW TO AVOID GETTING SICK.
Company // Are you a solo traveler like myself? Whether you are with a friend, a partner, or on your own, a food tour is a great way to make new friends – if only for a meal. While I usually don’t mind eating on my own, it is nice to share dinner on occasion. Not only to talk but also to be able to share dishes and thus try more.
DINNER FOR ONE – TIPS FOR EATING ALONE AT A RESTAURANT.
Kuala Lumpur food tours with A Chef’s Tour
A Chef’s Tour is a highly acclaimed operator of food tours around the world. In Kuala Lumpur, they offer two tours: Laksa Lanes which focuses on the Malay-Chinese food in Kuala Lumpur in Chinatown, and Sambal Streets featuring Malay, Indian, and Arab cuisine in Chow Kit and Kampung Baru.
Laksa Lanes
Eating in Chinatown is always a good idea – whether that is in Bangkok’s Chinatown or in Kuala Lumpur. Some of the best street food in Kuala Lumpur can be found on Petaling and its backstreets, but you need to know where to go.
Laksa Lanes will take you on a trip to explore the Malay-Chinese fusion cuisine, starting at the Central Market. Today a tourist attraction it was once the most important wet market in the city. From there you will make your way into the heart of Chinatown and start to feast.
Learn the difference between baked and steamed baos, compare various laksas, try lala noodles with mussels, and wash it all down with cham. Don’t know what cham is? Don’t worry this is what the tour is for. You will eat spring rolls and Michelin-awarded Hainanese chicken rice as well as the most delicious coconut and peanut pancakes made by a Petaling legend.
You will try all things weird and wonderful (ice cream with red beans, anyone?) and learn about some of the best food in Kuala Lumpur and where to find it. While you eat your way through Chinatown your guide will tell you about the history of the city, the neighborhood, and the cuisine that made KL so famous.
While you are at it you will also visit the Kwai Chai Hong, a beautiful little alley full of cool murals, and the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. There is also the chance to take a beautiful picture of the Merdeka 118, the second-tallest building in the world.
The tour runs over 4 hours during lunch time and you will get to eat (or try to) around 15 dishes and snacks.
Sambal Streets
If you want to learn more about Kuala Lumpur of the past and explore Malay, Indian, and Arab cuisines join Sambal Streets. Chow Kit and Kampung Baru is where it is at. Chow Kit was already one of my favorite neighborhoods in KL before I even knew its historic significance.
It is now home to the largest remaining wet market in the city. And Kampung Baru was where every taxi driver told me to eat. Needless to say, the late Anthony Bourdain was a fan of these neighborhoods.
First, you will try yourself at roti-making and eat it with various curries before you get a mid-meal dessert to refresh. This might be the time when your guide will introduce you to Malaysia’s most beloved fruit: durian. Whether it will become your new favorite or not, it is a great chance to at least meet the “King of Fruit”.
After it is time for smokey grilled fish, more laksa – this time with a distinct Malay touch – before you head to Kampung Baru. This is where THE best beef satay is made and according to locals, the best nasi lemak in Kuala Lumpur. And if you are still in the mood for something sweet you will get to try a fruit shake from a local vendor who has worked and made shakes here for decades.
To end the night, a visit to Saloma Bridge is on the itinerary for the best views of the Petronas Towers. Is there more? Of course, but to be honest, it is hard to keep track when trying what feels like ALL of the best street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Sambal Streets starts in the late afternoon and ends in the evening. It is also 4 hours long and you will get to have around 15 dishes and drinks.
FAQ – How to book your Kuala Lumpur food tour
How much food will I get to try?
What is a must-eat in Kuala Lumpur? You will see that the list is quite long when you ask a seasoned local. To be honest, I had trouble eating as much as was offered during my tours. How much you get will usually depend on the tour and the kind of dishes. A Chef’s Tour says you will get 15+ dishes, snacks, and drinks. However other tours will offer less which is not necessarily a bad thing as long as the price is right. Honestly, I have never left a food tour hungry.
Something I appreciated on both tours was that our guide tried to avoid waste without making people feel like they didn’t get their fair share. As with anything, speak up if you want more or prefer to share to not waste food when getting full.
How much is A Chef’s Tour?
Both tours are $49 per person and half for children up to 12 years old. A huge advantage when booking directly – the price is what it is. What do I mean by that? As a solo traveler, I was often disappointed when booking a tour through platforms like Get Your Guide or Viator. I would see a tour I liked with a good price, put in a date, and that I wanted to book for one, and – voila, the price had tripled! Ouch. Or I couldn’t even book on my own because a tour had a minimum number of people needed.
When you book with A Chef’s Tour directly this won’t happen. The prices are the same throughout the year and you pay the same per person whether you book for one or for three.
Can I join if I am vegan/halal/have allergies?
Honestly, it depends! Unfortunately, the tours are not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. I recommend you book a private street food tour in Kuala Lumpur if you are. This way your guide takes you to suitable places according to your preference.
The Sambal Streets tour is suitable for you if you eat halal. For all other allergies or eating preferences please check the tour descriptions carefully and chat with your guide prior. Many tours and some dishes can be adapted though you may have to sit some tastings out.
TOWERS, TEMPLES & TASTY BITES – A KUALA LUMPUR ITINERARY.
