Jalan Alor is a unique food destination in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The whole character of the city changes when you step onto the street. Gone are the modern shopping malls that align the city, which are replaced with something of the past age. During the day, there is not much activity but when the sun goes down, the street will be hustling and bustling with activity.
It was once known as a red light district and remnants of those activities still exist. However, after several face lifts, the street has literally become a food haven.
Some of the best culinary delights that Malaysia has to offer are not at the swanky overpriced restaurants but right at the sidewalks, in the rows and rows of hawker stalls. On Jalan Alor, these stalls will take up both sides of the road selling food that best represents Malaysia. This is not just a place for the locals but foreigners also frequently visit here to taste the unique dishes that they would most probably not be able to back home.
The best advice for people who wish to visit Jalan Alor is to bring their appetite. As mentioned, there are plenty to choose from here and you wouldn’t be able to try everything in a single trip, so it is important that you make several trips to this street if there is a high possibility that you will not be returning to Jalan Alor for quite a while. Here, you are not just tasting the food here but also the culture in Malaysia. Diversity does not just exist in the population but that very factor that makes Malaysia so special is also translated in its cooking.
While most of the menus are in Chinese characters, there are some who also provide English translation in order to cater to tourists and a growing number of locals who are not Chinese-educated. This is of course good news for foreigners as they will also be able to order from the translated menus. If you do come across a menu in Chinese but are not able to read, don’t be intimidated but ask for recommendations instead. This way, you will be able to truly experience what the street has to truly offer.
The character of the street takes a life of its own and you will definitely be missing out if you do not go there for a visit. Jalan Alor is synonymous with good food, so much that there were much protests when the local authorities renamed the road. Jalan Alor indeed has a lot to offer for local visitors as well as those coming from abroad, so head there and experience it for yourself.
As Jalan Alor is located within the Bukit Bintang area, it can be easily found if you are staying somewhere in the city center. For example, Radium Palace is located 1 minute from the food street, from Capitol Hotel it is a 2 minute walk and 5-star Grand Millennium is only 10 minutes from Jalan Alor. If you are staying outside the city center, you can get to Jalan Alor by metro. Get out at Bukit Bintang Station (right next to Lot10 Shopping Mall). From there it is a 5 minute walk to Jalan Alor.
Janny
10 years ago
July 27, 2013 at 3:34 pm
The operation hours ??
Ilya
10 years ago
July 27, 2013 at 3:38 pm
I’d say 24/7, but the best times of the day is between 12am and 2am…..
Jo
5 years ago
December 26, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Hi. Chinese New Year … 2018… 16 Feb and 15 Feb . Will most of the stall be open or close?
And what is the operating time
David
10 months ago
May 13, 2022 at 5:09 am
No 24/7 at all.
Restaurants open 2-3pm until late at night.
That’s it.
JJ
10 years ago
August 13, 2013 at 3:01 am
This is a comprehensive post and the pictures are so lively! Just bought a ticket to KL (in a Bukit Bintang hotel woot!) yesterday so I am now more excited than ever! Any tips? I have a feeling 75% of my meals will be spent in that food market. =)
Ilya
10 years ago
August 13, 2013 at 6:48 am
No specific tips. I could tell you that stall number 6 to the left hand side is best, but things change as often as the weather and it might also be my personal taste. What I would recommend is to just walk around and check menus at both sides. Eventually you will see a dish that you like, combined with enough people actually having dinner there. I am sure you will enjoy it very much :). Jalan Alor is such a pleasant place, great vibe and delicious street food…
Some western travelers first might want to test their stomachs, by having food at the more common places first in order to avoid getting sick to the stomach though 😛
Jo
5 years ago
December 26, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Hi. Chinese New Year … 2018… 16 Feb and 15 Feb . Will most of the stall be open or close?
And what is the operating time
kelly
9 years ago
February 21, 2014 at 10:07 am
Any stall for rent ?
Im looking for selling muachi..
kelly
9 years ago
February 21, 2014 at 10:07 am
Any stall for rent ?
Im looking a stall for selling Muachi
Christine
8 years ago
February 24, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Hi! I just visited Malaysia and have been to Jalan Alor together with my sister who is now studying in Malaysia. It was our first time visiting KL and Jalan Alor was one of the places in our ‘must-visit-places’ list. I should and can say that we had our best meal in our 3-day stay in KL at Jalan Alor, I will definitely visit the place again!
Tn Norman Shah
8 years ago
March 20, 2015 at 9:56 am
I love it ,the best steamboats restaurant withprice of cheaper n fresh ….let’s come all to this food paradise jln Alor KL
Terence Lin
6 years ago
January 1, 2017 at 10:51 am
Was having dinner at one if the stalls on New Year’s Day along Jalan Alor. Wow by variety of local food & drinks. Unfortunately dining experience would have been better if cars or vehicular traffic emitting CO are it allowed during dining hours cos most of the dining tables are placed right along sides of the road.its not very healthy not to mentioned u hygienic consuming food mingled with vehicles CO. Could local authorities do something sbout this?
Colin
5 years ago
July 20, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Hey this is such an evergreen post!
Just wanted to say that I’ve linked to you on my latest post, https://www.ourtinycorner.com/day1-day2-part2/
Shaik M Hossain
4 years ago
April 25, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Wonderful images and video update of unique food destination in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
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3 years ago
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5 months ago
October 14, 2022 at 9:33 am
The best restarant at Jalan Alor is SAI WOO. Whenever business associate coming from overseas, they will request me to bring them to saiwoo. Their bbq chicken wings, grill fish, seafoods are the best. Very polite and friendly boss. Price are all easy on the wallet. Its on the left hand side when u come in from changkat. One of the pioneer restaurant in jalanalor and good place to have streetfood
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