8 Must-Try Food Places In Petaling Street For Cheap Eats Below RM15

Must-try food in Petaling Street

In the heart of Malaysia’s capital city is a street that needs little to no introduction. The famed Chinatown, also called Petaling Street or Chee Cheong Kai among locals, of Kuala Lumpur hustles and bustles with vendors hawking their goods.

Among these hawkers, you’ll find a collection of longstanding food stalls that have been around for decades. From slurpy bowls of asam laksa to melt-in-your-mouth tau fu fah, here are some must-try food places in Petaling Street with nothing over RM15.

1. Madam Tang Machi Popo – chewy muah chee (RM6)

A food stall that holds legendary status in Petaling Street is Madam Tang Machi Popo. This spot was once helmed by a beloved 70-year-old aunty, who charmed locals and tourists alike with her chunky pieces of chewy muah chee – she could often be heard beckoning all the sample her humble snack too.

Her legacy continues to live on through her son after her passing, who now carries on the tradition of making muah chee with pride.

Today, foodies continue to flock the stall to witness each packet of muah chee (RM6) meticulously prepared from scratch, from shaping the dough to sprinkling finely chopped peanuts over the chewy goodness.

There are six flavour options of muah chee available at the stall: Original, Black Sesame, Mango, Lychee, Pandan, and Ribena. But the Original is a crowd-favourite – steamed glutinous rice dough gets coated in a symphony of peanuts, sugar, and sesame seeds.

Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 011-2882 2268 | Madam Tang Machi Popo’s Facebook | Instagram

2. Air Mata Kucing – bottled longan (RM5)

Those who grew up frequenting Petaling Street will recall the famed Air Mata Kucing stall here that holds a special place in our hearts – the drink is reminiscent of childhood outings and family traditions. Whether you opt for a hot or cold serving of this drink, it’s the perfect antidote to the sweltering Malaysian heat.

Each bottle (RM5) from the stall is filled with succulent longan, with every sip of the signature drink consisting of a luo hon guo and winter melon concoction.

While the steel cups of the yesteryear have been replaced by disposable plastic bottles at the stall, the timeless taste of its longan remains unchanged.

This is a testament to its enduring charm, as the stall has been serving up cool and refreshing traditional Chinese drinks for over two decades. The owners first sold the drinks from the back of a lorry, before settling down at Petaling Street where it has been a cherished fixture ever since.

Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Petaling Street Air Mata Kucing’s Facebook

3. Buah Berangan – freshly roasted chestnuts (RM10)

Follow the deep enticing scent of roasted chestnuts on Petaling Street, and you’ll be led to Uncle Ken’s chestnut stall. This spot is a beloved fixture in Chinatown that has warmed hearts and delighted taste buds for nearly two decades with its nostalgic offering of simple yet incredibly satisfying chestnuts.

With his jovial demeanour and golden voice filling the air, Uncle Ken is more than just a food vendor. He’s a cherished part of the Chinatown experience. Each day, he carefully roasts fresh chestnuts – also called buah berangan – to perfection, infusing them with an irresistible flavour and selling them for just RM10 per packet.

Opening hours: 12am-10.30pm, Daily

4. Uncle Bean – custard-smooth tau fu fah (from RM2.50)

We Asians love our desserts served warm. Soya bean and tau fu fah are some local-favourites, even though it’s always sunny in Malaysia. Uncle Bean in Petaling Street, which has been around since the 1950s, is where many KL folks head to for freshly made soya bean and creamy tau fu fah.

The stall is known to draw a crowd, with the latter dessert offering highly praised for its soft and wobbly texture that simply melts in your mouth.

The process of making the famed tau fu fah (RM3.50) at this stall is a labour of love. Soft tofu is carefully transformed into a silky-smooth custard-like dessert, then served with your choice of syrup – white, brown, or ginger. Whatever you like to have your piping-hot tau fu fah with, each spoonful is a heavenly experience, even on a scorching hot day.

Likewise, the signature soya bean (RM2.50) is just as wholesome and bursting with flavour. Each sip offers a creamy, satisfying taste. Whether enjoyed plain or with a hint of sweetness from white or brown sugar, this beverage is a quintessential beverage among locals.

Opening hours: 9.30am-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 012-685 9000 | Uncle Bean’s Facebook

5. Asam Laksa – pungent asam laksa with tuna chunks (RM9)

Just across Hotel China Town Inn in Petaling Street lies a humble food stall that serves up one of the best slurp-able noodles in downtown KL – it’s the iconic Asam Laksa stall that’s a beloved fixture of Petaling Street since it began serving patrons way back in 1968.

Instead of the typical ikan kembung, this stall opts for fresh tuna chunks to accompany the bold flavours in its bowls of Asam Laksa (RM9). Scoop up some thick and creamy soup and you’ll be treated to a symphony of pungent flavours that entangle intense sourness and spiciness.

The stall also serves Curry Laksa (RM9), another popular choice among patrons.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-7.30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 012-311 5987

6. Yooi Kee – Ipoh-style chee cheong fun (RM4)

Image credit: Rian Hung via Google Reviews 

Established in 1943, Yooi Kee is a breakfast haven famous for its Ipoh-style chee cheong fun which has been delighting locals and visitors alike for generations. Unlike the typically KL-style chee cheong fun found elsewhere, this version features steamed rice noodle rolls bathed in a rich hoi sin sauce, adorned with a sprinkle of fragrant toasted sesame seeds.

With each mouthful, diners can taste the simple yet satisfying combination delivers a burst of umami flavours that keep patrons coming back for more. The rice noodles are also accompanied by a side of sambal, to add a kick that’ll satisfy spice lovers.

Image credit: davidking via Google Reviews 

Each plate of noodles is chopped to order, ensuring maximum flavour and texture, and available in three sizes – small (RM4), medium (RM5), and large (RM6) – depending on your appetite for the day. The small portion offers a satisfying serving, which will still leave you with plenty of room to indulge in the other culinary delights in Petaling Street.

Opening hours: 6.30am-3pm, Daily
Contact: 013-678 4788

7. Hon Kee – hearty porridge with raw fish slices (RM10)

Image credit: Joanna Chan via Google Reviews

Porridge isn’t just food for the ill, and Hon Kee is proof of that. The restaurant been dishing up hearty bowls of porridge since 1949, which are enjoyed by patrons all year round.

The star of the show here is the Fresh Raw Fish Porridge (RM10) – flavourful, well-seasoned porridge is served piping hot with raw, thinly-sliced fish topped with ginger and coriander on the side. You can enjoy the fish sashimi-style, or “blanch” it in the hot porridge to watch the fish turn from pink to white.

Image adapted from: J M via Google Reviews

For those with a more adventurous palate, the Crispy Pork Innards Porridge (RM9) presents a delightful surprise with each bite. The crispy and salty innards complements the smooth porridge perfectly, creating a harmonious balance of flavours in every mouthful.

Opening hours: 5am-2.30pm, Daily
Contact: 016-666 0603 | Hon Kee’s Facebook

8. Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee – beef noodles (RM12)

Image credit: Fotojitu via Google Reviews

You’ll find many stalls in KL offering up variations of highly-rated beef noodles, which are something of a KL speciality. Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee, which has been around for decades, is said to serve some of the best beef noodles in the city.

Image credit: Muar Tan via Google Reviews

This is thanks to their signature bowls of Fresh Beef Soup (RM12). Tender beef slices and soya-sauce marinated minced beef are immersed in a rich, slightly-oily broth that bursts with savoury goodness and subtle sweetness.

Altogether, the ingredients pair perfectly with the blank canvas of springy noodles that soak up all the flavours well.

Opening hours: 10.30am-4.30pm, Daily

Eat your way through Petaling Street at these street food places

Malaysia is second to none when it comes to its array of dining options. Whether you’re digging into a picture-perfect brunch special at a modern restaurant or hunched over a highly-rated snack from a food stall, your stomach will surely be satisfied.

If you’re looking to hunt out some of the best street food places in Petaling Street, head to these food stalls to indulge in locally-loved and best-rated snacks and desserts.

For more food recommendations in and around Petaling Street, you’ll want to check out these aesthetically-pleasing cafes there and also these 9 best restaurants near the Pudu LRT.

Photography by Yusintha.

Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Malaysia