As I walked alongside our lovely guide, Kiran, the sight of the street food in Kuala Lumpur made my tummy growl. The aromatic smell of fried bananas filled the air, accompanied by the sight of colorful fruits and the local vendors stirring big jars of drinks by the roadside—everything looked tasty.
But I promised Kiran that I would not wander far away and keep my tummy empty for our street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is known to be a melting pot of culture thanks to its multiracial communities, which are a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian. We’re known for our diverse cultures, heritages, traditions, and, not to forget, the bursting of local flavors across different types of Malaysian cuisines.
Once you have tasted our local dishes, you will forever miss the tempting aromas and taste of Malaysian food.
But the problem is, where can you find good food in Kuala Lumpur? Even as a local guide myself, I find it challenging to find authentic, good-quality Malaysian food.
So, recently, I went on a food hunt with A Chefs Tour, and indeed, there is no better way to taste local delights than with a local Malaysian food guide along the charming neighborhood of Chow Kit and Kampung Baru.
Here is my honest review of the highlights of the tour, what I love the most, and why you should definitely NOT MISS this street food tour experience.
Trust me, you’ll need a seatbelt on this ride along the street food in Kuala Lumpur. Let’s dive right in!
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My Experience with A Chef’s Tour
I met Kiran, our food guide, and other tour participants right in front of the Hilton Hotel in Chow Kit. The hotel is easily accessible by Grab or train. It’s a 5-minute walk from Chow Kit Monorail station.
The moment I got there, I knew I had made the right choice by signing up for this tour.
It has been a while since I wanted to explore the old area of Kuala Lumpur, and what could be better than having a guide who knows the neighborhood’s secrets?
The evening started perfectly—great weather, a clear sky, and a welcoming smile from Kiran as she greeted us all. After a quick introduction about herself and a little overview of Kuala Lumpur, we set off with a group of guests from Europe, the States, the UK, and Australia.
The group was small, which I really appreciated. It gave everyone enough space to get to know one another and fully enjoy the moment.
We began strolling down the street while Kiran explained the ABCs of Malaysia – its history, local customs, and vibrant food culture. It was the start of a wonderful, flavor-filled evening of street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Looking for a one-day in Kuala Lumpur itinerary? Here is how you can spend 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur.
Highlights of the Sambal Street Tour
Fruits
Our first stop in the evening was a light tease to our tummies—fruits. By the time we passed by endless fruit streets by the market, my eyes were shining like Puss in Boots. The vibrant colors of the fruits stacked in front of us were a delight.
There is a range of fruits that are in season and also available all year round. Kiran got us some local in-season and all-year-round fruits.
The group was introduced to a few fruits, such as ‘buah salak,’ also known as the snakeskin fruit, the dragon’s eye, which has sweet flavors that will shine your eyes, and the sweet little mangosteen, which is rich in antioxidants.
I’ve always been confused about snakeskin fruits because of how they look. They look like a fruit wrapped in a snakeskin. They’re hard, scaled, and dark brown.
The sight of the exterior skin was daunting, and this was the first time I had a little extra bravery to take a bite of the fruit.
To my surprise, the fruit actually tastes sweet, fruity, and juicy. I guess I should not judge a book by its cover next time…
And of course, you can’t say you’ve been to Malaysia without tasting our King of Fruits, which is *drumrolls* ….
The Durian!
Yes, the spiky green, tough fruit with yellow fruits inside puts off many people. I like to call it as ‘fromage d’Asie’.
If the French have the Camembert, well, the Malaysian have the Durians.
You’ve probably heard all the comments on how it smells or how it tastes.
But let me tell you, our tour guide, Kiran, somehow managed to do her magic and hypnotize everyone into accepting the unique taste and liking it.
I swear, it was terrific. For the first time, no guests were criticizing the smell and the taste. Everybody was enjoying it, which was a delightful surprise.
Mamak Food
Mamak is also one of the compulsory stops on this tour. If you have bars to network and chit-chat, well, we have Mamak to lepak and chit-chat. It is a cultural symbol that brings people together.
It’s a place that only exists in Malaysia, and most of them are open 24/7.
As Kiran explained the mamak culture, I was amazed by her in-depth knowledge of the food we have locally, how each food represents our harmonious culture, and how Malaysian dishes have become an everyday thing that unites each one of us despite our background.
The best part of the Mamak experience was when we got to make our own roti canai. This was a unique insight into Malaysian cuisine that added a personal touch to the tour. I can assure you, no other Mamak will let you flip and turn your roti canai like this! Even as a local, I had never experienced this before.
So, I was beyond excited (and highly pressured) when Kiran announced that we would be making our roti canai! 😛
Plus, to enhance the whole mamak experience, pair it with the locals’ favorite all-time drink, pulled tea.
Noodles
This was my favorite stop, where two different types of aromatic broth noodles were served: beef noodles and curry noodles.
The moment I took a sip of the beef noodle, I felt like I had traveled through time. It brought me back to the days when I was a kid when my mother used to spend hours and hours in the kitchen making a simple dish of beef noodles.
It’s light and filled with flavors. When I paired it up with the local sambal, just as Kiran suggested, I was sold. There I was, slurping the last vermicelli of my first bowl and getting ready to get the second portion of the beef noodles.
I was eating to my heart’s content and almost forgot to try out another bowl of curry laksa. Fortunately, Kiran stopped me there!
Both noodle dishes have their own touch of uniqueness and richness to it. I can tell you that nobody was listening to Kiran at one point; we were all too busy slurping down the deliciousness of the beef noodles and curry laksa.
Are you hungry yet? Well, keep going. Hehe.
Satay
Next on tour is the street-style charcoal-grilled meat skewers, also known as ‘satay.’
These meat skewers are mouthwatering. They were cooked right in front of us. You get to see how they smoked the charcoal to keep the fire burning, simmering the marinated meat with fats dripping over the hot coals.
The image and smell alone will make your tummy empty out a small space so that you can taste the tasty charred meat skewers.
Whether it’s marinated chicken, beef, or lamb, the meat is juicy; the boneless meat is tender and grilled to perfect ‘cuisson.’
The highlight of the whole dish is the different types of sauces we were introduced to. As a Malaysian, I’m familiar with peanut sauce. But I was surprised to know that there is also another type of sauce that goes really well with the satay!
At this point, we have been fed more than five times. My taste buds enjoyed it, and my tummy was dancing like there was no tomorrow.
Malaysian Number 1 Favourite Dish
Our last stop was Nasi Lemak. It is a must. The whole tour would not have been complete without trying Malaysia’s number one Favorite Dish.
Nasi means rice, and Lemak means fat. So, basically, it’s a fat rice.
But a fat rice that tastes so good that it became our national dish.
Wrapped in banana leaf, you’ll find inside a scoop of fragrant rice cooked with coconut milk, served with nuts, freshly sliced cucumbers, fried anchovies, and, of course, the sambal.
The banana leaf will enhance the taste and the flavourful nasi lemak.
Mix everything on the plate and take a bite. You’ll taste the sweet and spicy kick in first, accompanied by the saltiness of the anchovies and the crunchiness of the nuts, and ending with a light freshness from the cucumber—like fireworks, you know!
You definitely will have to try this one!
What I wrote above is only a piece of what our tummies experience, and I haven’t even touched on the local desserts and drinks that will quench your thirst and make your mind boggle with their taste.
From a nice iced sweet dessert to a refreshing fruit smoothie, I will not ruin the surprise and will keep this part a secret. You have to go and try it on your own 😉
By the end of the 4-hour food tour, I can tell you that each one of us was well fed. My tummy was happy from all the types of cuisines served.
Practical Information:
- The Sambal Steert Tour is perfect for Muslims as all the eateries are halal.
- It is suitable for lactose-intolerant people. The guide will assist you and ensure that you enjoy the whole experience.
- Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians!
- The tour is carried out in the evening from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
What I LOVE the most about this street food in Kuala Lumpur
First of all, I loved the pace of this walking food tour. It’s not too fast or too slow. The terrain didn’t require much effort, as it was flat most of the time, which made it comfortable and gentle on our feet.
It was well organized, and the portions were great! Each portion was made so that we would have enough space to try all of the food from the start until the end without feeling like we were overeating, which was excellent!
Another thing I loved the most was that, like the rest of the group, I had a smile on my face by the end of the tour.
Each of us, including myself, really enjoyed the food tour. It is not only the sweet, tangy taste or the grilled coal taste that will forever mark your memory; it’s also about understanding what Malaysian food is all about.
Within four hours, the guide did a wonderful job of showcasing Malaysia through its various cuisines and diverse culture. I can’t thank her enough for such an exciting learning and tasting experience.
3 Reasons Why This Food Tour in KL is a must-try!
- Authentic Taste of Malaysia’s Food Culture: From local favorites like nasi lemak and satay to seasonal tropical fruits, this tour offers a genuine dive into Malaysia’s unique culinary heritage. There’s a story behind every dish, and our guide, Kiran, shared each one beautifully.
- Hands-On Experience: Most food tours are eat-and-go, but this one lets you get hands-on, like making your own roti canai. It was a memorable experience flipping that flatbread—something I’ll never forget!
- Exploring Hidden Gems: Kiran took us to the lesser-known, vibrant neighborhoods of Chow Kit and Kampung Baru. I loved that we enjoyed authentic dishes while discovering places less visited by tourists. It felt exclusive!
Check your travel dates and secure a food spot on this street food tour of Kuala Lumpur here:
Suggest Read: Night Markets in Kuala Lumpur You Should Not Miss
Final Thoughts on Street Food in Kuala Lumpur with A Chef’s Tour
If you’re here for a visit and looking for a food tour in Kuala Lumpur, I recommend adding this tour to your Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
This tour will not only expose you to the food culture but also introduce you to Malaysia. Plus, you get to taste so many local dishes within four hours!
It has been days since I went on the tour. The taste of the beef broth is still lingering at the back of my taste buds, and I am craving another visit.
Throughout the whole tour, I really enjoyed our guide’s details and explanations. Her storytelling lightened up the journey through different flavors in Chow Kit and Kampung Baru, putting forward the essence of Malaysian food culture.
Whether you’re a foodie, expat, on a work trip, a casual traveler with a hungry tummy, or even a local, this Sambal Street tour will create new memories for your taste buds. After all, some experiences can only be savored firsthand.
So, when you’re in the city, why not give your taste buds a journey into the street food of Kuala Lumpur they’ll remember?
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