We Singaporeans sure do love our food, which is why it’s no surprise that we’re always on the lookout for good food even when we’re travelling.
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Jalan Alor Night Market is a convenient destination that’s sure to satisfy your foodie cravings. It’s within the Bukit Bintang area, so it’s easily accessible if you’re staying in the city centre.
With all the brightly-lit stalls to choose from, it can get a little overwhelming; you only have that much space in your tummy, after all. To narrow it down, here are five street foods that you must try when you’re there!
1. Barbecued Chicken Wings
Mmm, these perfectly chargrilled wings were one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Cooked over a smoky charcoal grill, these Barbecued Chicken Wings (RM3.50, approx. S$1.20 per wing) from Restoran Wong Ah Wah were incredibly good.
This was definitely the kind of wings you have to pick up and tear into. The meat was tender and slid off the bone easily. Pro-tip: grab the smaller bone in the wing, and twist it left and right to pull it out. It makes eating the wing a lot less messy.
Biting into it was an explosion of flavours; the smokiness from the grill was infused into the chicken skin and meat, and complemented the slightly sweet and succulent meat. The skin itself was slightly crispy and sinfully greasy. I could definitely feel those extra calories piling on!
Restoran Wong Ah Wah: No. 1 – 9 Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tel: +60 3 2144 2463 | Opening Hours: 5.30pm – 4am (Daily) | Facebook
2. Satay
What’s not to love about juicy chunks of meat on sticks? If you’re at Jalan Alor Night Market, you should definitely try the satay from Restoran Wong Ah Wah, since I was already there for the wings and it’s one of the more popular restaurants in Jalan Alor.
For RM12 (approx. S$4.10), you’ll get 10 sticks of satay. I decided to get a mix of Lamb, Beef and Chicken, just so that I could try all the different meats.
I loved the muted gamey flavour of the Lamb Satay, which might be more palatable even to those who typically avoid lamb. Each chunk of meat was also juicy and chewy, with the fats melting in my mouth.
Likewise, the Beef Satay was also a good balance of chewy lean meat and melt-in-your-mouth fats. The meaty flavour lingered on my tongue long after swallowing it, and I really couldn’t stop myself from getting more.
If you prefer less gamey meats, try the Chicken Satay. The meat was tender and juicy, and there was a sweet smoky flavour as well. You can enjoy this meaty snack on your own, or share it with some friends so you get to try even more street food!
Restoran Wong Ah Wah: 1 – 9 Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tel: +60 3 2144 2463 | Opening Hours: 5.30pm – 4am (Daily) | Facebook
3. Oyster Omelette
Singaporeans are definitely familiar with the Oyster Omelette. At Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish, they offer a slightly different variant of our beloved orh luak.
The Fried Oyster & Egg (RM15 for Small, approx. S$5.10, RM20 for Medium, approx. S$6.80, RM25 for Large, approx. S$8.50) was crispier than the Singaporean version. The dish had a subtle wok hei flavour, and was also drier than the ones I was used to.
The oysters could have been bigger, but they packed a flavourful punch. Each bite was quite rich and creamy, and went very well with the crispy egg.
I enjoyed this variant of the popular orh luak, and if I’m ever in the area again, I’d definitely want to come back for more!
Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish: 39 Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Opening Hours: 6pm – 2am (Daily) | Tel: +60 12 213 3082
4. Char Kway Teow
If you’re looking for a more solid meal, head to one of the street side restaurants for a greasy plate of Char Kway Teow.
I tried a plate of Stir Fried Penang Kui Teow (RM9, approx. S$3.10) at Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish. The wok hei taste was quite subtle, so it wasn’t too overwhelming to my taste buds.
I wished it was a bit more charred and greasy to fully satisfy my char kway teow craving, but this version actually tasted cleaner and slightly healthier.
I liked that they were quite generous with the hum (cockles), which were plump and juicy. The rice noodles were also slightly spicy from the sauce that was mixed in, which helped to brighten the taste.
It’s not hard to see how it’s a popular comfort food! Polishing off the plate of char kway teow did wonders for my mood (and of course, my belly).
Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish: 39 Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tel: +60 12 213 3082 | Opening Hours: 6pm – 2am (Daily)
5. Coconut Ice Cream
Kuala Lumpur, like Singapore, can get pretty warm and humid even at night. What better way to cool off than with an icy sweet treat?
Sangkaya offers a great variety of ice cream flavours, ranging from the usual Coconut, to more localised flavours like Kaya, Gula Melaka, and even Asam Boi (preserved plum).
You can enjoy your ice cream in a few different ways: in a Cone With One Scoop (RM3.90, approx. S$1.30), in a Cup With Two Scoops (RM5.90, approx. S$2), in a Waffle Bowl With Three Scoops (RM9.90, approx. S$3.40), or as a Jumbo Cone With Three Scoops (RM10.90, approx. S$3.70).
I recommend the Signature With Four Scoops (RM12.90, approx. S$4.40). I chose Coconut, Teh Tarik, Teh Ijo and White Coffee. The scoops were served in half a coconut, with cut-up chunks of coconut flesh for easy consumption.
I loved how the White Coffee flavour was quite subtle, but the bittersweet finish lingered on my tongue after the ice cream melted. The Teh Tarik was also a good balance of sweet milkiness and fragrant tea.
The Coconut scoop was sweet and refreshing, and was quite light as well. I felt that the Teh Ijo was a little astringent, but if you’re a fan of green tea lattes, you’ll enjoy it.
Take a chill pill after all that greasy street food with Sangkaya’s ice cream!
Sangkaya: 31 Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tel: + 60 3 8938 9889 | Opening Hours: 5.30pm – 1.30am (Daily) | Facebook | Website
If you love greasy and messy yet delicious street food, you have to hit up Jalan Alor Night Market. It’s definitely cheaper than what you’d get in Singapore, and so close to home.
Bring along some friends, because you’ll want to share those calories!