Welcome to Petaling Street: One of the World’s Coolest Streets

From cultural landmarks and grand malls to lush garden parks and old-style shophouses amid modern skyscrapers, the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur is home to many mesmerising sights.

Jalan Petaling or Petaling Street is among the most unique. A stone’s throw away from the iconic Pasar Seni Central Market, and nestled in the bustling heart of Chinatown, Petaling Street is a boulevard of shophouses built since colonial times, given many loving restorations and facelifts over the decades into the colourful thoroughfare today.

Two Chinese-style archways welcome visitors at the entrances of Petaling Street. Past them, under red round lanterns hanging overhead across the shop-lots are cafés, diners, fashion stores, convenience shops, boutique hotels, and street vendors selling all kinds of souvenirs, curios and imitation goods, stretching into the intersecting road midway. Music, colours and gastronomic aromas greet you at every step, and there’s always a crowd of local shoppers, foodies, and tourists. A true melting pot of history, cultures and flavours, and where the traditional meets the modern.

The main street is just the start, however. Explore the alleys and surrounding streets and you’ll discover a lively wet market, heritage temples, beautiful murals, as well as a myriad of affordable local hawker food.

Beloved foodie faves include Hokkein-style fried noodles, Curry Laksa, Assam Laksa, steamed rice rolls, Hainanese chicken rice, wonton noodles, beef noodles, peanut pancakes, and many, many more. In fact, Petaling Street is among the most popular hawker spots in Kuala Lumpur, and a historic cornerstone of Malaysian food culture, especially for the local Chinese community.

The shops and stalls of Petaling Street stay open well past the evenings, when the pubs and drinking spots light up and the whole area is abuzz with nightlife, as well as more street food to savour; including grilled seafood, barbecue goodies and even mini-Chinese banquet-style dinners with a tableful of yummies to share.

With so many unique sights, gastronomic flavours, and always vibrant, friendly atmosphere, it’s no wonder that Time Magazine has recently named Petaling Street the 6th coolest street in the world! So don’t miss it on your next holiday to Malaysia, and be sure to prep your taste-buds with our special feature on Malaysian cuisine!