Markets in Kuala Lumpur: Central Market, Petaling Street

Kuala Lumpur's Central Market was founded in 1888 and is located near Little India and Chinatown in an Art Deco style building convenient to the main bus station and train station.

 Central Market

The market is organized in traditional stalls with sections for each of the main ethnic groups in Malaysia:  Malay, Chinese, and Indian, with a food court on the second floor serving meals made from the ingredients below.

 Central Market

Second floor food court

A few blocks away from Central Market, Petaling Street is located in Chinatown with its own collection of products, food stalls, and restaurants.

Petaling Street market

Petaling Street is covered to provide relief from the sun and rain and the vendors are principally Chinese, with some small representation from the other Malaysian ethnic groups.

 Petaling Street market

I hurry through the merchandise to the food and dining section, to see the food for sale and some of the Malaysian specialties cooked on site for consumption here, such as barbecued fish, asam laksa (spicy noodle soup), and curry noodles.

 Ingredients for sale

 Dining in

The markets in Kuala Lumpur are appealing, vibrant, and fun to stroll through and spend some time viewing the merger of the different cultures that make up this city and country.  And, of course, to watch the people out and about:  shopping, dining, meeting with friends and family.