Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Like a Local
In KL, the traditional greeting is not 'How are you?' but 'Sudah makan?' (Have
you eaten yet?), underlining the national obsession with food. Hawker stalls, ko-
pitiam (coffee shops) and mamaks (Indian Muslim hawker stalls) are where loc-
als catch up on news and gossip with their friends and family.
Food Tours & Supper Clubs
Tap into what truly makes this city tick: the search for the next great meal. There are many
online blogs and sites (
Click here
) devoted to the local dining scene and a couple of great
food tours (
Click here
)
that get you walking the streets, grazing along the way.
For a unique food experience there's the option of dining in a local home. Simply Enak
(
www.simplyenak.com
) can arrange this, as can Plate Culture (
www.plateculture.com
)
,
which matches people who love cooking with those searching for a home-cooked meal.
Home-based 'underground supper clubs' and 'private kitchens', such as Jen's Underground
Supper Club (http:// jensundergroundsupperclub.
com)
, are popular among locals; search on-
line for dates when dinners are offered.
Join the Celebration
Being a multicultural, multifaith city there's seldom a week that goes by in KL without
some kind of religious or cultural celebration. As well as ceremonies at mosques, shrines
and temples, this often this means special things to eat and drink.
Securing a reservation at popular restaurants in the weeks leading to Chinese New Year
can be tricky, as friends, colleagues and family gather over endless banquets. Ramadan
bazaars and buffets are reason enough to visit KL during the Muslim holy month. For
weeks before Deepavali, KL's Little Indias are awash in stalls selling clothing, textiles and
household goods as well as special sweets and savoury snacks.
Shopping Culture
Next to eating, KLites' favourite pastime has to be shopping. These two obsessions dove-
tail in the city's multiplicity of malls. More local shopping experiences can be had at clas-