Kuala Lumpur’s restaurant scene runs the gamut from budget street food to high-end luxury. And as an obvious reflection of its population, the street food of Kuala Lumpur is predominantly a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian, although influences from across Southeast Asia and beyond with Sumatran, Javanese, Japanese, Thai and Arabian also playing a part. Some of the best food in Klang Valley is sometimes found not in the city’s fine dining restaurants, but on the sidewalks and by the roadside in your neighbourhood.

Here are some of the best places to go for four favourite snacks in and around Kuala Lumpur.

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1. Cendol

The famous dessert of shaved iced in coconut milk, green jelly strips, red beans, and gula Melaka (also known as palm sugar or coconut sugar) is the perfect answer to quenching your thirst on a scorching day.

Random Images of Cendol

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Enjoy this Dish at SS15, Subang Jaya

There is nothing better than slurping on a bowl of chilled cendol under the shady trees – the spot where Mr. Achiah, the cendol seller was churning out the good stuff right out of a van before the local authorities gave him a proper place to operate. On weekends, don’t bat an eyelid if you have to wait for almost half an hour before you can savour the first scoop of cendol. The long queue of people is a sure sign that the cendol here beats most of the others out there!

2. Vadai

The vadai – made from dal, lentil, and flour – varies in shapes and sizes and has the perfect blend of spices and ingredients.

Random Images of Vadai

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Enjoy this Dish on Jalan Telawi, Bangsar

For generations the humble vadai stall along Jalan Telawi in Bangsar has been there serving up delicious morsels of vadai, samosa, and curry puffs. When tea time rolls around, this is where you want to get your fix from. Mrs Kanna, whose van which doubles as a stall along Jalan Telawi, has been there for so long that her customers now consist of second- and thirdgeneration nibblers from families living in Jalan Telawi , Jalan Terasek, and areas within the vicinity.  All the snacks available at Mrs. Kanna’s stall are vegetarian and have become favourites for their regular and new customers. If you see a hoard of people flocking around a white van to get their afternoon snacks, you know you’re at the right place. Sold for just 50 cents apiece, the stall opens at 10.30am and closes by 6pm, depending on the sale of the items.

3. Goreng Pisang

In Malaysia, banana fritters are normally sold by street vendors and most people just buy it off the streets and eat it on the go. Pisang goreng, literally translated means “fried banana” and is one of the most favoured snacks during tea time.

Random Images of Goreng Pisang

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Enjoy this Dish at Brickfeilds, Opposite the YMCA Entrance

For the best pisang goreng, head to the stall located outside Restoran Yit Seang. The stall manned by the senior Mr. Chiam and his son operates from 12.30pm to 6pm and has been at the same location for more than 20 years playing the role as the go-to pisang goreng stall for folks near and far. What makes their pisang goreng so special is that they use Pisang Raja which has a sweet, creamy, and caramelised texture that it just melts in your mouth! Mr. Chiam’s pisang goreng should come with a sign that says “eat at your own risk” as the freshly fried, crunchy, and wonderfully oily pisang goreng can easily become a sinful addiction.

4. Rojak. At SS15, Subang Jaya

Rojak is one of the unique cuisines of Malaysia and the word rojak is of Malay origin, which means cham-cham (a mixture of ingredients). Not many would have guessed that that a mix of ingredients from various cultures would result in a winning combination of flavours – a medley that brings the taste buds to life as every spoonful brings forth a different flavour and texture.

Random Images of Rojak

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Enjoy this Dish at SS15, Subang Jaya

Rojak is one of the most popular street foods in Malaysia served with fried dough fritters, prawn fritters, hard-boiled egg, shredded cucumber, and shredded yam bean drenched in thick and sweet peanut sauce. The street food is so popular that many Malaysian people are willing to stand or sit beside the road just to sample it and the stall at SS15 Subang Jaya wins hands down as the stall serving the best rojak. The secret lies in its sauce which is sweet with a nice hint of nuttiness to it.

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