MY · Kuala Lumpur · 3.14°N 101.70°E

petaling street

Chinatown lanes for old-school hawker food, kopitiam hopping and hip cafes.

Best time
Any time of year. Mornings for breakfast and the wet market, evenings for the street stalls. Chinese New Year is busy and colourful.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
In central KL. Take the LRT or MRT to Pasar Seni and walk a few minutes. Parking is tight, so don't drive in.
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MY · Kuala Lumpurpetaling street3.14°N 101.70°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Chinatown lanes for old-school hawker food, kopitiam hopping and hip cafes.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPetaling StreetMY, Kuala Lumpur
KLpetaling street
≈ 1 km from KL, as the crow flies
Old shophouses being refurbished at the southern end of Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.

Photo: Slleong · CC0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

KL's Chinatown is a grid of busy lanes around Jalan Petaling, with a covered street market, old shophouses and some of the city's oldest temples. Come hungry: old-school hawkers sit right next to newer cafés and bars.

Makan

  1. KL Hokkien meeThick noodles fried dark with soy sauce and pork lard. Kim Lian Kee on Petaling Street is credited with starting it.Map ↗
  2. Air mata kucingA cold drink of dried longan, monk fruit and winter melon from the street stalls.Map ↗
  3. Madras Lane hawkersCurry laksa and yong tau foo in the narrow lane by the wet market.Map ↗
  4. Kopitiam breakfastKaya toast, half-boiled eggs and kopi at the old coffee shops.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Petaling Street marketThe covered street of stalls selling clothes, bags and souvenirs.Map ↗
  2. Sri Mahamariamman TempleKL's oldest Hindu temple, with a tall, colourful gateway tower.Map ↗
  3. Guan Di TempleA Taoist temple to the god of war, just along the road from Sri Mahamariamman.Map ↗
  4. Kwai Chai HongA restored back lane with murals of old Chinatown life.Map ↗
  5. Central MarketAn art deco market hall turned craft and souvenir centre, a short walk away.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Many branded goods on the stalls are copies. Haggle if you're buying.
  • Take your shoes off and dress modestly at the Hindu temple.
  • Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.