Kuala Lumpur is full of surprises for food lovers. During our trip, we explored food courts, small stalls, and Central Market, tasting everything from comforting hotpot-style soup to some desserts. Here’s a detailed account of our food journey.

Craving Yong Tau Foo at Pavilion Mall. We were craving for hotpot style but couldn’t find any at nearby hawker-style centers so when we saw Yong Tau Foo Stall at Food Republic in Pavilion Mall, we lined up immediately. The long line of customers and positive reviews for both taste and price made it an easy choice.

Ordering was simple, (1) Pick your ingredients, (2) Choose a soup base then (3) Head to the sauce station. I chose their best-selling broth, but without spice, since I was sharing it with my husband. The server suggested adding sauces to adjust the flavor. We got a sweet brown sauce, a touch of red chili sauce, and crispy fried onions for topppings – a must for me!

The soup was light, warm, and comforting. My husband said it reminded him of ready-made hotpot soup or hotel breakfast buffet soups but nothing is special. While I preferred the soup base in Manila specifically in Divisoria Mall before the pandemic, the larger selection of ingredients here made it a satisfying meal for RM 23.50 which is also good for sharing.

Potato Corner and Being Juice. Later, we came across Potato Corner, which offers crispy squid (starts at RM 9.90) and fish tartar with chips (RM 10.90). We skipped these because we were still full from the hotpot. I’m not sure if these items are available in the Philippines now, but they looked tempting!

On our way back to Santa Grand Signature Hotel, we spotted Being Juice, a small beverage cart with colorful drinks and a fun-name menu. They offer alot of drink choices including Yogurt Series, Classic Smoothies and Iced Crushes. We tried the “Be Yo-Self” yogurt drink, which included mango, strawberry, raspberry, red apple, banana, and Greek yogurt. I expected it to be sour because of the berries, but it turned out mildly sweet, refreshing, and lightly tangy. For RM 14.90, it was a delicious treat.

Empire Sushi: (supposedly for) Midnight Snack. We often passed by Empire Sushi in Pavilion Mall and noticed the long queues. On one visit, we finally decided to buy sushi for a midnight snack. I couldn’t wait and started eating as soon as we got to our hotel room. Some notes: Chopsticks were not included while Soy sauce and wasabi cost extra. Despite this, the sushi was fresh, flavorful, and had no aftertaste. The price was reasonable, not too cheap or expensive, making it a convenient and satisfying snack.

Damascus Shawarma: Not Our Favorite. At Damascus in Bukit Bintang, my husband queued because the place is popular and highly rated online. We ordered a Hummus Beef Shawarma for takeaway. Unfortunately, it didn’t suit our taste. While it’s advertised as one of their best-sellers, we found it less flavorful than expected. Online reviews are mixed, and we agree with some of the negative ones. I wasn’t able to take a photo but this is hubby after paying and getting our number. Fortunately, we didn’t decide to dine in.

Exploring Central Market Snacks. We discovered several unique Malaysian treats at Central Market. First we had Cendol, green and grass jellies with fresh coconut milk, sweet corn, red beans, and palm sugar. It reminded me of Filipino halo-halo but simpler and less sweet. Instead of evaporated milk, they used coconut milk so the taste is unique but not similar to that of squeezed coconut milk bought in local Philippine Markets and used in viands.

Classic Tiramisu: Found at a nearby food bazaar, it had mild coffee bitterness balanced with gentle sweetness—perfectly smooth and flavorful.

Bhujia: Crispy fried noodles made from chickpea flour. I chose the mild version to share with my husband. It was less spicy and milder than the Sri Lankan version I had before, but still crispy and enjoyable. All snacks were affordable, though I don’t remember the exact prices.

McDonald’s Burger McDo: A Burger Surprise before our Flight Home. On our flight back to Manila, I craved a McDonald’s burger. Surprisingly, it came with SosCili chili sauce instead of ketchup. SosCili Chilli Sauce in McDonald’s Kuala Lumpur. I also lovedd the extra onions and pickles on my burger, so I asked for more. They generously added it at no extra cost, which was a big difference from Manila. The SosCili sauce had a perfect balance of spiciness and saltiness, elevating the burger and making it satisfying. I now hope to find this sauce locally—it would be great with burgers or other dishes.

Final Thoughts. Our Kuala Lumpur food adventure was full of flavors, surprises, and memorable snacks. From the comforting Yong Tau Foo and fresh sushi to thirst-quencheing drink and not-so-sweet dessert, we left with happy stomachs and lots of delicious memories. Some foods didn’t suit our taste, like the shawarma, but that’s part of exploring a new city. Overall, Kuala Lumpur is one of the foodie paradise for anyone willing to explore both malls and street food gems.