Best Food Tours in Kuala Lumpur for Amazing Malaysian Street Food!
Two of Malaysia’s contrasting food cultures: Indian Roti Canai, and Malaysia Char Kway Teow
Welcome to Kuala Lumpur (KL), the capital of Malaysia, one of the most diverse and delicious countries in all of Southeast Asia! If you’re keen on exploring the world of Malaysian street food then joining a Kuala Lumpur food tour is one of the best ways to discover this country’s melting pot of flavors, from Chinese, Malay, to Indian.
Creamy Laksa, smokey Char Kway Teow, Comforting Lala Noodles, and explosive Nasi Kandar. There is soooo much to eat in Kuala Lumpur and it can be really overwhelming. But not to fear! I’ve been on a few food tours in this city before and in this blog post I am going to share with you my recommendations for the best Kuala Lumpur Food Tours that let you eat through Malaysia the way locals do!
So, if you’re hungry, grab your appetite and get ready to discover the best street food tours in Kuala Lumpur!
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My YouTube Video on Kuala Lumpur Street Food
If you want to immerse yourself in the Kuala Lumpur food scene then check out my YouTube video on eating through Kuala Lumpur. Also, I have a few other videos on eating and traveling in Malaysia so check that out if you wish and if you enjoy the video how about subscribing to my YouTube Channel? ;)
Why Take a Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur?
A nice spicy bowl of Curry Mee
After a tiring day exploring the Batu Caves (don’t forget the nearby Ramayana Cave!), there’s nothing better than filling your empty bellies up with some of the greatest Malaysian street food in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur’s street food scene is a delicious mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. With iconic dishes like Nasi Lemak (cocout rice, Capitol Cafe is good), Roti Canai (flatbread with curry), Nasi Goreng (fried rice, check out Uncle Roger’s version), Ais Kacang (shaved ice), Laksa (noodle soup), and many many many many more…
Every dish tells its own story, and the amount of history and culture that you can learn from just a single dish is the reason why I recommend joining a Kuala Lumpur food tour.
Joining a Kuala Lumpur food tour means exploring the city with a local English-speaking guide who knows all the right spots and are able to share with you the nuance of the local food culture. Plus, Instead of queuing at overrated tourist stalls, you’ll head straight to authentic eateries and hidden gems where locals actually eat. The best part of it all is that you get to sample a wide range of Malaysian dishes, all in one delicious adventure.
What to Look for in a Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur?
An extreme bowl of Cendol shaved ice with 2 whole pieces of Durian! Delicious!
Kuala Lumpur is such a huge foodie destination so there are lots of Kuala Lumpur food tours to choose from but they all vary in quality and pricing. So it definitely helps to know what you should be lookiong for in these food tours.
Things like what foods are on offer, whether it’s a private or group tour, or even whether the tour guide is knowledgeable. Below, I’ll share some important details to consider when choosing a Kuala Lumpur food tour.
What Foods are Included in the Kuala Lumpur Food Tour?
A nice soothing bowl of noodle soup with a much welcome bowl of meatballs
Absolutely THE best thing about joining a Kuala Lumpur food tour is being able to sample a wide variety of dishes. I’ve mentioned before that Malaysian food is a melting pot of different cultures so it definitely worth it to find a food tour that will cover a wide array of dishes so that you could fully learn the history and immerse yourself in Malaysian street food.
Here are some examples of the most iconic Malaysian street foods that you’ll find all over Kuala Lumpur:
Nasi Lemak - Malaysia’s national dish, fragrant coconut rice with spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, cucumber, boiled egg, and optional proteins.
Char Kway Teow - Smokey and savory Chinese-Malaysian stir-fried noodle dish cooked over high heat with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, and bean sprouts.
Roti Canai - Flaky and crispy flatbread served with dhal or curry. Good for breakfast.
Laksa - Spicy noodle soup with regional varieties like curry laksa (coconut-based) or asam laksa (tamarind-based).
Nasi Kandar - Indian-Muslim dish, steamed rice paired with flavorful curries, fried chicken, spicy gravies, and more.
Lala Noodles - Chinese-Malaysian noodle soup with fresh clams, ginger, garlic, and a light, savory broth sometimes with white wine.
These are just some of the iconic eats you can find in Kuala Lumpur. If you want to go on the hunt for more delicious eats in Malaysia, Penang Island is a great place to start, I have a whole blog post exploring Malaysia’s foodie capital here.
Dietary Concerns in these Kuala Lumpur Food Tours
There is a lot of seafood in Malaysian cuisine
You’ll need to consider dietary restrictions when booking a food tour in Kuala Lumpur. There is a lot of food and sometimes there is not a lot of leeway when it comes to accommodating dietary concerns.
If you’ve been on one of my recommended Penang Food Tours then it’s pretty much the same deal. Many of the dishes I’ve mentioned above contain ingredients like shrimp paste, lard, soy sauce, fish sauce, and so on which is definitely a no-no for vegetarians and vegans. Plus Malaysian food often has a heavy reliance on seafood.
Most (if not all) of the Kuala Lumpur food tours usually do NOT accommodate the following dietary restrictions:
Vegetarians or vegans
Pescatarians or no pork diets
Gluten free
Dairy free
Peanut allergies or any other severe food allergies
That said, Kuala Lumpur is a large city, and some tours do offer vegetarian-friendly options, like roti canai with dhal instead of beef or chicken curry. Every Kuala Lumpur food tour is different, so it’s always best to check with your guide about any dietary concerns, they’ll usually do their best to accommodate you.
Keep in mind, though, that if you have strict dietary restrictions or allergies, you might miss out on certain tastings. Many local street food vendors don’t have ingredient substitutions and are hesitant to leave out items, since it can change the flavor of the dish significantly.
Knowledgable and English Speaking Tour Guides
The Jalan Alor Night Market, the epicenter for food in Kuala Lumpur
One of the biggest perks of joining a Kuala Lumpur food tour is having a knowledgeable, English-speaking tour guide by your side. Malaysia is a country of many cultures and influences so going on a guided tour with someone who knows the city, the history behind each dish, and the best spots to eat makes all the difference, You get an experience you’d never find on your own.
English-speaking guides also make it easy to ask questions and learn more about Malaysian food culture. On one tour, I asked about the different types of laksa, and my guide explained the subtle differences between Curry Laksa (rich coconut based soup) and Asam Laksa (clear tamarind based). With Curry Laksa being more favored in KL compared to Asam Laksa in Penang.
I would have missed out on understanding the flavors, the cooking techniques, and the cultural stories behind the dishes if it weren’t for my awesome tour guides. Eating food is good and all but learning about food while you’re eating it just makes the experience more immersive.
Private vs. Group Kuala Lumpur Food Tours
A bunch of lovely people I’ve met in one of the Kuala Lumpur Food tours
Alright, now let’s talk about the difference between private and group Kuala Lumpur food tours. Most of these tours cap their groups at around 8 people, trying to take a bigger group to a single street food stall would be chaotic and nearly impossible to manage.
Group Tours can be a fun way to meet other food lovers, but they often move at a slower pace and involve longer wait times at each stop. Personal interactions with the guide are also pretty limited, which can be tricky if you have specific dietary needs, since group tours rarely adjust for everyone.
Private Kuala Lumpur food tours, on the other hand, give you much more flexibility. Tour guides often allow you to make small adjustments to the route to match your tastes, you can also request specific dishes, and enjoy more one-on-one time with your guide. These tours also allow for closer interactions with hawkers and the chance to explore quieter, less touristy spots.
While private tours tend to cost more, in my experience the extra money is well worth it, it makes for a smoother, more personalized, and far more enjoyable culinary adventure and that is why I always recommend a private tour. Maybe it’s also because I am introverted but hey, my point still stands.
Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
Local guides are what makes these Kuala Lumpur food tours an amazing experience
If you only got time for one Kuala Lumpur Food Tour make it this one!
The Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour is one of my favorites. It’s a small-group tour (max 8 people) that lasts about 4 hours and starts at 4:30PM (or later times up to you) in the evening. The food tour takes place in Chow Kit Market, stepping off the usual tourist trail into backstreets and hidden food stalls that the locals actually go to. Oh bottled water and soft drinks are included.
From here you get to sample 15+ dishes! So much food! I got to try so many delicious things like banana-leaf grilled mackerel with sambal, coconut-steamed Nasi Lemak with rich chicken rendang, and delicious flamed-grilled skewers with nutty peanut satay. These are all authentic Malay, Chinese, and Indian influenced dishes too.
From there we ended the tour near the iconic Petronas Twin Towers along the way our guide, Uncle Sam, shared with us stories and historical tidbits about Kuala Lumpur.
15+ Tastings Sambal Streets Food Tour Price and Value
For around $49 USD per person, I highly recommend this Kuala Lumpur food tour. Not only is the tour guide extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable, but you get over 15 authentic tastings, as well as complimentary water and soft drinks. The exploration is fun too as you get to walk through neighborhoods most tourists would never find on their own. For the amount of food, culture, and expertise packed into 4 hours, it’s absolutely worth the value!
The 10 Tastings of Kuala Lumpur Food Tour
Looking at these Malaysian street food dishes and I am hungry again…
For a more private and wider encompassing Kuala Lumpur food tour, this Private Half-Day 10 Tastings Tour is for you. It’s a private group tour that’s 3 hours long and includes around 10+ tastings of delicious dishes and drinks.
The tour starts off at Petaling Street Market, one of the largest shopping centers in Kuala Lumpur, full of haggling street vendors selling souvenirs, clothing, trinkets, and of course amazing Malaysian street food. Here is where we got to try some authentic dishes like Nasi Kandar (rice with curries) and Lala Noodles (clam noodles). Plus we also got to try some local snacks and Chinese influenced sweet treats which are popular in Petaling Market.
What I also like about this specific Kuala Lumpur food tour is that it also includes visits to the Guan Di Temple and the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, the former is a Toaist temple, while the latter is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia founded in 1873. So not only did I get to eat tasty Malaysian street foods, but I also got to immerse myself deeper into the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur.
I really like this tour mainly because it’s private, your guide can go at your pace and adjust the stops based on your group’s preferences. Oh and due to the nature of the tour, it is vegetarian and vegan friendly, so that’s a definite plus for those that apply.
The 10 Tastings of Kuala Lumpur Food Tour Price and Value
At around $130 USD per person, this Kuala Lumpur food tour may be a little pricey but that’s just the nature of private tours, as it comes with plenty of benefits, compared to group tours. The value is clear here, you’re getting 10+ tastings of dishes, snacks, and drinks, a fully private guide who tailors the tour to your preferences, and the chance to explore both food and cultural landmarks without the rush of a big group.
If you want a more immersive and intimate experience then this 10 Tastings of Kuala Lumpur Food Tour is well worth it in my opinion.
Kuala Lumpur Local Street Food Tour by Night
For a quick snack, nothing hits the spot like some curried meatballs
Kuala Lumpur’s food culture completely changes when the sun sets over the country, and if you’re keen to explore that culture then the Kuala Lumpur Local Street Food Private Walking Tour by Night is something special.
This is a shorter tour at around 2-3 hours with only around 5 tastings, however you’ll be exploring the Jalan Alor Food Night Market, a mega hub for incredible street food in Kuala Lumpur. We got to taste Nasi Lemak, Chicken Satay, Shumai dumplings, and more… The tour concludes with a visit to Mamak, a restaurant serving Roti Canai (flatbreads with curry) and various coffee and tea drinks, oh and Milo, Malaysians love their Milo.
Our guide was Zack, who was very knowledgeable about the KL area and he made the tour even more enjoyable with his stories and little tidbits of history. This is also a private tour so the schedule and routes can change depending on your preferences, and vegetarian options are available too.
Kuala Lumpur Local Street Food by Night Tour Price and Value
At around $106 per person, with only 5 or so tastings, this Kuala Lumpur food tour is pretty expensive and honestly not that good of a value compared to the one I recommended above. However it is a private tour, and it is one of the few Kuala Lumpur food tours that focuses on the nighttime food culture. It is a pretty good food tour and I would recommend it if you are solely looking for a night time experience.
Bonus: Cooler Lumpur Night Vespa Tour
An army of vespas in front of the Icon of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Petronas Twin Tower
Finally, this is a bonus Kuala Lumpur food tour but it is one of the coolest and most fun ones I’ve ever been on. This Cooler Lumpur by Night Vespa Food Tour combines delicious Malaysian street foods and night time culture with the thrill of speeding through the city on a Vespa! Yes, You get to hop on a vintage vespa and zoom through the city's vibrant neighborhoods tasting dishes all guided by friendly tour guide. If you’re worried about driving don’t worry as a driver is also provided if you’re unsure.
The tour starts at 7:00PM and is limited to 4 people, and will take you to various local family run businesses, night markets, and little India (Brickfields) to sample the best that Malaysian street food has to offer.
In terms of food you’ll get a chance to taste: Yong Tau Foo (stuffed fried tofu), Char Koay Teow (smokey stir fried noodles), Laksa (noodle soup), Roti Canai (flatbread with curry), Nasi Lemak (coconut rice), Chee Cheong Fan (rice noodle rolls), Fried Radish Cake, Vaddei (potato fritters), Mee Goreng (stir fried noodles), Fruits, and plenty more…
And finally after you’re full you get the choice to return to your hotel or enjoy a night out at a bar enjoying live music. This is such a unique and fun tour that I wholeheartedly recommend it to any one of you who has the time and like adventure.
Cooler Lumpur by Night Food Tour Price and Value
This Kuala Lumpur food tour is quite expensive at $180 USD per person, however considering that you get to ride a vespa throughout the city, as well as try a plethora of dishes, and the sheer fun of it all. I think this food tour is well worth it. It’s expensive yes, but you won’t find an experience like this anywhere else in Malaysia.
Tips for Eating Street Food in Kuala Lumpur
Two versions of laksa, Assam Laksa, and Curry Laksa
If this is your first time trying street food in Kuala Lumpur here are some useful tips to help you prepare and make your Kuala Lumpur food tour experience more enjoyable:
Come hungry - You’ll be eating a lot of food so it helps to be hungry.
Cash only - Most hawkers and street food vendors don’t accept credit cards or mobile payments, so bring enough cash, small change is preferable as some vendors won’t have change for bigger notes.
Bring tissues - Napkins and tissues can be hard to find so if things get messy it’s nice to have napkins on hand
Be adventurous - Malaysian food culture is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. No doubt there will be some flavors you’ve never even tasted before.
Wear comfy shoes - Other than the vespa food tour, there will be a lot of walking in these Kuala Lumpur food tours so bring some comfy shoes.
Stay hydrated - The heat in Kuala Lumpur is no joke, if you’re like me you'll be sweating buckets so wear some light clothing, bring plenty of water and maybe those portable electric fans that is popular in Asia nowadays.
Looking for Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur?
Aquaria KLCC - Explore up to 5,000 land and over 150 species of aquatic creatures!
KL Tower - Admire the gorgeous cityscape of Kuala Lumpur from the KL Tower!
Genting SkyWorlds Ticket - Tickets to the Genting SkyWorlds theme park
Discounted Tickets - Browse a variety of attractions, tours, and transports all for a great price
Useful Resources for Traveling in Malaysia
Tourism Information - All the information you need when travelling in Malaysia
Private Airport Transfers - Private transfer from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the city
KLIA Ekspress Ticket - Ticket for the KLIA transfer via express train
Check Out My Other Malaysia Blog Posts!
Ultimate George Town, Penang Travel Guide - Malaysia’s Cultural Foodie Heaven
Exploring the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Largest Buddhist Temple in Malaysia!
The Best Street Food in Penang, Recommended Spots by Locals!
Eating Through Kimberley Street Food Night Market, Foodie Heaven in George Town, Penang!
Exploring the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Climbing the 272 Steps!
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER ARTICLES!
