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If you’re planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur and want to taste a variety of delicious street food in one spot, place Jalan Alor Food Street on top of your food itinerary.
Jalan Alor Food Street, also known as Jalan Alor Night Market, is a vibrant and colorful street in the heart of the Bukit Bintang area.
I’m a big fan of Jalan Alor and think it is the best street food street in Kuala Lumpur!
Highlights of Jalan Alor Food Street:
- The street is always buzzing (at night). It has many food options, including Hawker Food, Chinese Seafood sit-down restaurants, regional restaurants including Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean, and dessert stalls like ice cream and fruit.
- BBQ chicken wings are a big hit, and there are plenty of hawker food options if you are new to Malaysian Food, including stir-fried dishes like Char Kway Teow.
- Also, with its endless list of dishes, you might struggle to make choices while wandering along this historic street!
- Read on for some tasty ideas from this famous food street.
Popular Food Tours in Kuala Lumpur
An Introduction to Jalan Alor Food Street
Jalan Alor Food Street is an iconic street in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with something to offer everyone.
Jalan Alor is believed to be around 100 years old, having first been established as a street market in the early 1900s.
It was a bustling spot for Chinese immigrants looking to make their way in Malaysia and sell local dishes.
Over time, the street began to fill up with restaurants, hawker stalls, and an array of other businesses.
Today, Jalan Alor Food Street, located a 5-minute walk from Bukit Bintang Station, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur and one of the go-to spots for locals to meet up with family and friends.
For those wishing to explore different types of food on one street, Jalan Alor is worth checking out!
Related: 17 Malay Drinks to Quench Your Thirst
Finding The Best Places to Eat
There are two entrances to Jalan Alor Food Street. One is from the Jalan Ceylon, a short walk from Changkat Bukit Bintang and an area with a heavy concentration of massage shops. It has a red light district past, and the “past” may be pushing it in some circumstances.
The other entrance is off Jalan Pudu, where the car parks are located.
I have eaten at many of the Jalan Alor food street restaurants and hawker food stalls over many visits.
The best advice for a first-timer is to simply walk the length of the street, ignore the initial requests to sit down from the restaurant staff (they are always nice and present no hassles), and notice the places that look interesting.
I often visit 2 or 3 places for a “progressive” style dinner, usually ending at one of the ice cream or fruit stalls to end the night.
If you are looking for some inspiration, you could do worse than visit one of these places.
All restaurants have English menus.
Cu Cha
Located close to the Jalan Ceylon entrance, Cu Cha is always busy and offers a range of traditional-style Malaysian dishes and fresh fish and crab food options.
Sai Woo
A little further down Jalan Alor Street, this restaurant sells an impressive range of seafood, including my go-to dishes of stingray and clams.
Stingray is priced (as of 2023) at 6RM per 100 grams, and a small bowl of clams has a price of 24RM.
Wong Ah Wah
A bit of an institution on Jalan Alor Food Street, Wong Ah Wah, or WAW, is famous for its barbecued chicken wings. I also enjoy their frog legs, and the picture is of the chili frogs legs I had on my most recent trip
Regional Cuisine
Various other regional restaurants range from Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Mongolian, and Japanese.
Fruit and Ice Cream
A tasty and refreshing way to finish the meal is to have fresh fruit or coconut ice cream. Pictured is a durian ice cream, a perfect entry into durian flavor without the aroma!
Other restaurants to try include Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish and their neighbor, Lim Kee Restoran.
As one of Malaysia’s most popular food streets, it can be difficult to decide where to go and what to eat.
Related: Sirap Bandung Drink – Rose Syrup Milk
Hawker Food on Jalan Alor Food Street
Jalan Alor food street is a great place for anyone looking for a large range of local food choices.
Hawker food can be found throughout the street and will include dishes such as:
- Char Koay Teow, a stir-fried flat rice noodle dish known for its smoky flavours brought about by wok-hei
- Satay skewers of all sorts cooked over a charcoal fire
- Lok Lok, skewered meats, seafood, and vegetables served with a variety of delicious dipping sauces.
- Oyster Omelette, filled with plump oysters, and
- Apom Berkuah, a sweet pancake with thick coconut milk sauce drizzled on top
Related: Milo Dinosaur Recipe
Jalan Alor Food Street – Food Tour
There are a street food tours of that include Jalan Alor in the itinerary. This is one of them that is 2 hours long and has 3 food destinations including Jalan Alor. Recommended if you are short on time.
Conclusion
With so much to choose from, it’s easy to see why Jalan Alor Food Street is such a popular destination.
From the street food vendors to the restaurants and shops, there is something for everyone here.
Whether you’re looking to sample some of Kuala Lumpur’s local delights or take in the sights and sounds, visiting Jalan Alor will be an experience you won’t forget.
Jalan Alor provides the perfect way to taste what Kuala Lumpur offers while spending time outdoors.
Details for Jalan Alor Food Street
Operation Hours:
Most places open from 5 pm
Public Toilets:
There are no public toilets, but most restaurants have facilities.
Transport:
5 minute walk from Bukit Bintang Station
Car parking from 12RM
FAQ
What is the most popular street food in Malaysia?
The most popular street food in Malaysia is Char Koay Teow, a stir-fried flat rice noodle dish known for its smoky flavors brought about by wok-hei.
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