Jalan Alor Night Market in KL: Best Guide
The Jalan Alor Night Market in Kuala Lumpur is one of the city’s most famous food streets, offering an endless variety of flavors and an atmosphere that truly comes alive after dark.
By day, Jalan Alor is lined with restaurants serving everything from authentic Malaysian and Chinese dishes to Thai, Korean, and other international cuisines.
But as the sun sets, the street transforms, buzzing with neon lights, sizzling woks, and the aroma of grilled satay, luring both locals and tourists.
Visitors flock here to feast at bustling restaurants or sample cheap eats from street food stalls offering noodles, seafood, tropical fruits, and sweet treats.
Fun fact: Jalan Alor traces its roots back to the early 1900s when Chinese immigrants first set up shop here, creating the food culture that still thrives today.
Where is the Jalan Alor Night Market Located
The Jalan Alor Food Street, aka the Jalan Night Market, is located in the heart of the Bukit Bintang area along Jalan Alor Street and is about 500 meters long.
You can enter the Jalan Night Market from either end of the street, though many prefer to start off with the main picturesque entrance, where you’ll find crowds of visitors coming and going.
The main entrance intersection is at Jln Alor Street and Changkat Bukit Bintang.
Jalan Alor Night Market: Opening Hours
Technically, there isn’t an official time the night market opens, and that’s because the street is full of outdoor restaurants that are open 24 hours a day, with others opening around noon daily.
If you choose to visit during the day, the street is not nearly as busy, and you can take your time deciding which restaurant you’d like to try.
But it’s important to note that many of the street food vendors won’t be there yet, and you won’t get to experience the authentic atmosphere of the famous street!
In the evening, around 4:30 PM, various vendors set up shop along the Jalan Alor market street. These vendors sell a wide variety of street foods, desserts, and souvenirs/gadgets.
Once the sun sets, Jalan Food Street turns into a night market, with plenty of food stalls to try, crowds of tourists/locals, and plenty of restaurant employees putting menus in your hands, persuading you to visit their restaurant!
What to Eat at the Jalan Alor Night Market
Okay, let’s talk about food; after all, besides the tourist experience of the notable street, it’s all about the food at the Jalan Alor Food Street!
The various international cuisines you should expect to see here are Malaysian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Mongolian, and Japanese.
You’ll also spot plenty of desserts to try, and lots of fresh fruit being sold, especially durian!
Here are a few of the many specific foods you should expect to see when visiting the Jalan Alor food market. Mentioned below is the street food; the restaurants along the food street offer extensive menus of many foods.
- BBQ Chicken: One of the many vendors served a perfectly crispy chicken, served with a sauce and rice
- Satay: A popular Malaysian street food, meat skewers served with a creamy/nutty sauce
- Seafood: Plenty of seafood dishes can be found along the street, from Singapore-style chili crab to charcoal-grilled bass, stingray, clams, and more.
- Fried Foods: You’ll find French fries, potato chips, and fried chicken
- Noodle Dishes: Char Kway Teow, Pad Thai, Laksa, Mee Rubus, and much more
- Mango Sticky Rice: A famous Thai dessert served with fresh mango and rice in a creamy, sweet sauce
- Apam balik – Malaysian-style peanut pancake served hot
- Coconut Ice Cream: There are numerous vendors of coconut ice cream and coconut products along Jalan Alor. A whole coconut costs around 6 MYR, while coconut ice cream is around 12 MYR
Let’s discuss the food prices at the Jalan Food Street; prices are very reasonable here. For the most part, most foods cost between 2 and 23 MYR, which is .43 cents US to $5 US.
The average price for a wide variety of dishes at the market is around 14 and 17 MYR, which is around $3 to $3.63 US. Seafood dishes will cost slightly higher, and that’s expected.
If all those food recommendations mentioned above sound a tad overwhelming to you, here’s a bit of a food plan I’d suggest for your visit:
Firstly, I recommend you try some of the large variety of fresh grilled meat skewers and satay, or try a noodle-based dish. Then, proceed to one of the many seafood restaurants on the street to order a dish and end your meal with some BBQ chicken.
Lastly, don’t forget dessert! I recommend trying the mango sticky rice, coconut ice cream, peanut mochi balls, or some fresh fruit readily available at the market.
Every few days, I found myself returning to the popular food street to try some new foods. My apartment was down the street from the market, and I was in KL for over a month, so it was convenient.
If you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur in a group and you’re all unsure what to eat in the evening, visiting the Jalan Alor Food Street is a great idea.
There’s something here for everyone, and if you’re curious about trip expenses, check out this Kuala Lumpur cost guide to see why KL is considered one of the most affordable capitals in Asia.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
- Bukit Bintang: This is the most popular residential district in Kuala Lumpur. You’ll find plenty of shopping malls, a wide variety of international cuisines, cafes/bars, and plenty of tourist attractions nearby.
Pullman Kuala Lumpur: Luxurious modern hotel located right in the center of Bukit Bintang, with direct access to the famous mall
Hotel Capitol: A well-priced mid-range hotel near the Jalan Night Market and only a few minutes walk from the Pavilion Mall
- KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center): Known as the prominent city center of Kuala Lumpur, this district is home to the world-famous Petronas Towers. It’s also home to KLCC Park, plenty of shopping, and restaurants. Overall, this is the most modern and safest area in the city.
ASCOTT Star: A stunning modern hotel in KLCC offering exceptional rooftop bar views of the famous Petronas Towers, known for its amenities
Ibis KLCC: Located right in the KLCC area, Ibis offers cozy rooms with great city views
- Bukit Ceylon: Conveniently neighboring Bukit Bintang, this area is home to several tall residential condos, and it’s also home to Forest Eco Park. The area is calmer and quieter than Bukit Bintang, but Bukit Bintang is only within 5-10 minutes away.
Lanson Place: A luxurious 5-star condo-like hotel offering spacious modern rooms, many amenities, and excellent city views
Verdant Hill Hotel: Located in the heart of the city, Verdant is a few minutes walk away from the Jalan Night Market, plenty of restaurants, and the nightlife district in the area
Final Thoughts on Visiting Jalan Alor Food Street
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, an evening visit to the Jalan Alor Night Market should be at the top of your list of things to do.
Not only is it a great food experience, but the street also has a lot of history in Kuala Lumpur; this market has been around since the early 1900s.
Overall, the street has a fun market atmosphere in the evening, and it’s the perfect spot to start an evening off with a few drinks, delicious food, and a few desserts.
That said, visitors should be mindful of common scams in Kuala Lumpur, especially pickpocketing in crowded areas like Jalan Alor. Keep your valuables secure and avoid engaging with overly persistent street vendors offering “too good to be true” deals.
By the way, steps away from the market is the popular Mon Chinese Beef Roti, which serves these delicious soft roti beef/onion mix pastries.
They’re a must-try when you’re in the area. Don’t be surprised if there’s a line to buy them, but it’s worth it!
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If you’d like to continue the evening after visiting the food street, visit Changkat Bukit Bintang, the most famous nightlife street in Kuala Lumpur. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and a few nightclubs to visit.
Other popular food spots where you can find a wide variety of delicious foods and you MUST visit when in Kuala Lumpur are the following:
- Chinatown / Jalan Sultan Street
- Pavillion Mall food court (1st floor)
- Lot 10 Mall (5th floor)
What is the best time to visit Jalan Alor Night Market?
The best time to visit Jalan Alor Night Market is after 5:00 PM, when most stalls open and the street starts buzzing with activity.
By 7:00 PM, the atmosphere is at its peak, with lights, aromas, and crowds creating that signature Jalan Alor vibe.
How much does food cost at Jalan Alor Food Street?
Food prices vary, but most street food dishes range from 5–15 MYR, while sit-down restaurants may cost 20–50 MYR per person.
It’s one of the more affordable dining areas in Kuala Lumpur, making it easy to sample multiple dishes without breaking the bank.
Is Jalan Alor Night Market worth visiting for vegetarians?
Yes! While Jalan Alor is famous for its meat and seafood dishes, there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options like stir-fried vegetables, tofu dishes, noodle soups, and tropical fruit desserts.
How do I get to Jalan Alor Night Market from KLCC?
The easiest way to get to Jalan Alor from KLCC is by Grab or taxi, which takes around 10 minutes. You can also take the MRT from KLCC to Bukit Bintang station and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the street.
