The Exchange TRX guide
There’s no shortage of things to do in KL, especially at glossy shopping malls that dot the city. While KL folks are already spoilt for choice when it comes to mall options, a new one is now open and it boasts a number of first-time openings from luxury brands to eateries, and even a rumoured Apple store.
This is none other than The Exchange TRX located on Jalan Tun Razak. The mall has been the buzz of the town due to its eagerly anticipated stores and eateries – its directory will include over 500 stores.
We dropped by the mall on its opening day on 29th November 2023, so you know what to expect on a visit.
Table of Contents
– Shopping –
1. Shop for cool, modern eyewear from Korea’s Gentle Monster
Gentle Monster needs no introduction, even to us Malaysians. The luxury Korean eyewear brand is celebrated for its unique and unconventional eyewear frame designs, which have etched its name globally among fellow eyewear enthusiasts.
Their first store in Malaysia has opened its doors at The Exchange TRX, featuring a collection of stylish eyewear that have been rocked by global names such as Blackpink’s Jennie and Rihanna.
The brand is also known for their captivating ambience, inspired by industrial utilitarianism and a futuristic outlook. Their outlet in Malaysia looks more like a contemporary art gallery than a retail store, featuring two massive bison at its entrance – they move too.
Address: G.12A, Ground Level Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188, Kuala Lumpur
2. Browse all skincare products by Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant products can already be found locally at retailers such as Sephora. But skincare enthusiasts will be pleased to know that they can now browse everything by the brand at Malaysia’s first Drunk Elephant retail store that’s now open at the mall.
The cult beauty brand from Texas is well-loved by many, boasting raving reviews from beauty and skincare aficionados.
If you happen to drop by the mall, be sure to explore their best-selling products including the Protini Polypeptide Cream Mini and C-Firma Fresh Day Serum – both of which work wonders for all skin types. There are also handy Morning and Evening Kits that each packages essentials such as a serum and cleanser in a colourful pouch.
3. Stroll through SEIBU & discover over 700 brands
Known as the sister brand of SOGO, SEIBU is an exciting addition to the lineup of stores at The Exchange TRX. They’ll bring with it no less than 700 lifestyle, beauty, homeware, and electronic brands, covering four floors in the mall. A hundred of these brands will be making their debut in Malaysia here.
Image credit: Books Kinokuniya Malaysia via Facebook
Some names that you can find include Manolo Blahnik, COMME des GARÇONS and Superdry. You’ll spot a Books Kinokuniya selling stationery and gifts, as well as a 76STYLE Hair Salon, at the department store.
There are also shelves dedicated to popular brands such as Pokémon, PAW Patrol, Barbie, and Super Mario.
Contact: SEIBU Malaysia’s website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Sift through stylish athleisure pieces by Alo Yoga
Image credit: Lalire March Architects
If you enjoy working out in comfort and style, Alo Yoga is making its debut in Malaysia with a physical store at the mall. This Californian athleisure brand seamlessly blends functionality with style in their comfy yet durable apparel – it’s even well-loved by Hollywood celebrities and models, including Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.
At the store, you can explore their collection of innovative prints and contemporary cuts that exude a fashion-forward take on activewear. Some of the brand’s best-sellers include the highly acclaimed high-waist yoga pants and the women’s Aero Dynamic sports bra.
5. Get your hands on Guerlain’s stylish Bee Bottle perfumes
Guerlain store in Paris.
Image credit: Guerlain via Facebook
Guerlain is a luxury French skincare brand that has a long-standing presence in the beauty industry – it was founded way back in 1939 on the iconic streets of Paris. Fans of their products who’ve been purchasing them through Sephora can go directly to their first store in Malaysia at the mall.
Dedicated to offering specialised solutions for ageing and damaged skin, this beauty brand has become a trusted name in the realm of skincare for years. Among their best-selling products are the Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil and Repair & Renew Serum, which sell like hotcakes.
Image adapted from: Guerlain via Facebook
Beyond skincare, the brand has expanded their offerings to include a range of fragrances that are packaged in stylish crystal decanters – or signature Bee Bottles – as well as a makeup line.
6. Browse La Prairie’s coveted skincare line
Image credit: La Prairie
You might have heard of La Prairie – the Swiss brand’s coveted Skin Caviar Luxe Cream was listed as one of Margot Robbie’s go-to products in her skincare routine. Needless to say, the brand has earned a reputation for delivering remarkable results when it comes to combating common skin issues, including ageing and damaged skin.
– Eateries –
7. Indulge in coffee-on-tap & affogato at Reborn Coffee
Calling all coffee lovers – there’s a new coffee shop from California to discover at the mall, Reborn Coffee. It’s the shop’s first outlet in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, featuring a menu of coffee drinks brewed with beans that go through a meticulous roasting process – from taking a bath with treated water to getting roasted in small batches.
Image adapted from: @reborncoffeeusa via Instagram
You can try out their beans with different brewing methods offered, including Pour Over (RM15-20) and the coffee-on-tap Nitro Cold Brew (RM15-18). For more unique coffee orders, there are Espresso Lemonade (RM15) and Affogato (RM16).
If you’re coming along with a non-coffee drinker, they have options of mocktails (from RM14), milkshakes (from RM15), and cold-pressed orange (RM16).
Contact: Reborn Coffee Malaysia’s Instagram
8. Discover a food hall serving Japanese cuisine & more at SEIBU’s food hall
Over at SEIBU, in the concourse level of the massive department stall, is a premium Japanese food hall known to locals there as depachika – or bustling Japanese food markets located in the basements of department stores.
You’ll find restaurants peppered within the hall, including Kenny Hills Bakers, Ramen Tabushi, and Chabashira Tea Roastery. Otherwise, there are a variety of ready-to-eat Japanese food, including packed bento boxes from SEIBU to grab-and-go such as Chuka Bento (RM35) and Yakiniku Beef (RM60).
Beyond Japanese cuisine, you’ll also find local, Korean, and Thai food offered here. For everything Korean, Gamaro also has an outlet here, serving staples such as Kimchi Gimbap (RM12.80) and Spicy Dakgangjung (from RM21).
After you’re done feasting on your food finds, you can also shop for fresh produce, seafood, and meat at the food hall.
9. Sip on coffee & shop for ready-to-wear apparel at Maison Kitsuné & Cafe
It’s hard to peg Maison Kitsuné. They are a French-Japanese lifestyle brand that operates a fashion brand, record label, art gallery, and also a chain of aesthetically-pleasing cafes worldwide in cities such as Paris, Tokyo, New York and London.
Their first boutique store in Malaysia follows other Southeast Asian outlets in Bangkok, Singapore, and Manila, bringing along with it the stylish Cafe Kitsuné. And, of course, their renowned charming fox mascot that features on their ready-to-wear apparel and inspires their signature cookies.
Their cafe’s menu features a range of coffee beverages and pastries. There are the classic Latte (RM17) and Americano (RM14), as well as Yuzu & Honey (RM15) and Sesame Latte (RM20).
Pair these with their pastry options of Citrus Meringue Tart (RM26) and the hefty Pain Au Chocolate (RM15), or hearty sandwiches including Egg Sando and Chicken Katsu Sando for RM24 each.
10. Indulge in fluffy souffle French toast at Mil Toast House
Image credit: @porkbellyy__ via Instagram
When it comes to freshly baked warm pastries, Mil Toast House has earned a reputation in Seoul as a go-to spot for decadent soufflé toasts and steamed buns that do not disappoint. The Korean bakery is now open in KL, serving their signature Vanilla Soufflé French Toast (RM23) – which has been soaked in egg and milk – and puffy brioche steamed breads.
The latter comes served in bamboo steamer basket, with your choice of two flavours. They range from plain (RM9) and sweet potato (RM11.50), to the popular corn (RM11.50) and local-inspired pandan (RM11.50).
Image adapted from: Mil Toast House 밀토스트집 via Facebook
Their carb goods go well with their series of bottled flavoured milk (RM13), available in Marron, strawberry, banana, vanilla peanut butter, or Hershey’s chocolate.
Baked goods aside, the bakery is known for their aesthetic spaces that mimic the interior of a traditional hanok – in which its original outlet in Korea is actually housed in. The Malaysia outlet takes on a similar vibe, with light wood furniture and ceiling features reminiscent of delicate layered cloths.
To celebrate their opening, the shop is giving away free drip coffee to the first 50 customers per day, between 29th November and 15th December. All you have to do is follow them on their socials and tag them.
Address: L2.84, 0, Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188, Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-7731 6019 | Mil Toast House Malaysia’s Facebook | Instagram
11. Try bubble tea from China’s HeyTea
Image credit: @heytea_my via Instagram
If you’re still on the bubble tea hype, there’ll be a new one for you to discover at The Exchange TRX – HeyTea. They’ve opened their first outlet in Malaysia here, bringing with them their range of popular bubble teas that they’ve been brewing since 2012 in Guangdong, China.
Image credit: @heytea_my via Instagram
Their must-tries are the Very Grape Crystal made with real fruits and Roasted Brown Bobo Milk that has a rich tea flavour and chewy pearls – each are priced RM17.90.
You’ll want to drop by the shop quick to snag their deals – between 1st and 3rd December, they have a buy-1-free-1 offer on all their drinks. If you miss out on this, you can still enjoy a 50% discount on your second cup from 4th to 6th December.
Contact: HeyTea Malaysia’s Instagram
12. Munch on burgers & sip on milkshakes at Shake Shack
Image credit: Shake Shack Singapore via Facebook
Burgers and milkshakes are a pairing that can’t go wrong. A joint famous for this unanimously loved combo is Shake Shack. Hailing all the way from New York, this popular burger spot will be making its debut in Malaysia at The Exchange TRX.
Burger lovers can look forward to relishing the much-loved Shackburger with its signature in-house sauce and Shroom Burger that swaps the regular meat patties with a slab of crispy fried portobello mushrooms.
Image credit: Shake Shack via Facebook
Not to be missed out on either are signature crinkle-cut fries that can be topped with stringy cheese, as well as their milkshakes and frozen custard.
Contact: Shake Shack Malaysia’s Facebook | Instagram
13. Dig into hefty seafood sandwiches at the beach-themed Tipsy Flamingo
Image credit: Eatbook
Singapore’s Tipsy Collective is bringing their neon-chic and island-themed Tipsy Flamingo to Malaysians with an outlet at The Exchange TRX. Their Singapore outlet features bright pink accents, cabana seating areas, and a poolside-themed bar serving artisanal cocktails – we can expect a similar ambience, alongside a lineup of mouthwatering dishes with on-point flavours.
Image credit: Eatbook
Some signature dishes to look out for are the Ebi Katsu Sando, a hefty sandwich filled with buttery prawns and mala karaage, and the Lobster & Crabmeat Roll that gets topped with huge chunks of lobster claws.
14. Dine on Latin American-inspired food on a rooftop at Amazonas
Image adapted from: The Exchange TRX via Facebook
Amazonas, which offers an exquisite dining experience infused with the vibrant flavours of Latin America, is now open to hungry Malaysians. Located on the rooftop of the mall, the restaurant lets diners enjoy a panoramic view of the city skyline over a variety of pizzas, cocktails, and empanadas – all sprinkled with a Latin American twist. So, you’ll want to bookmark this spot for your next date night with bae.
How to get to The Exchange TRX
If you’re planning to drive to the mall, you can utilise the new 5km TRX underground tunnel. Whether you’re coming from the Bulatan Kampung Pandan or Mont Kiara/Damansara direction, you can use the dedicated tunnel that bypasses busy roads and connects you to the mall’s underground parking.
Parking fees on the weekdays are RM5 for the 1st hour, and RM4 for every subsequent hour. On the weekends and public holidays, the fees will be RM3 for the 1st hour and RM3 thereafter. There’s a flat rate fee of RM10 for entry between 5pm and 5am, and a maximum fee of RM30 for a full-day parking.
Premium, valet and motorcycle parking options are also available.
TRX City Park is a rooftop garden at the mall.
Image credit: The Exchange TRX via Facebook
Meanwhile, those opting for public transport can hop on the MRT from either the Kajang Line or Putrajaya Line. The mall is accessible via a pedestrian link from the Tun Razak Exchange MRT station.
Discover over 500 stores at the newly opened The Exchange TRX
With Christmas fast approaching and the year wrapping up soon, city folks are surely getting ready to celebrate the holiday season by shopping and spending time with the fam. So, if you’re looking for a new spot to discover, you can consider a visit to The Exchange TRX that’s decked with luxurious brands making their debut in Malaysia.
If you’re looking for more things to do in KL, you’ll want to check out this BTS ‘B-VERSE’ exhibition and Venchi’s first outlet in Malaysia at Pavilion KL.
Address: Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 03-8682 9888 | The Exchange TRX’s website
Photography by Xinyee Goh.
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Malaysia, @cafekitsune via Instagram, Mil Toast House via Facebook
This article was first published on 24th November 2023 , and updated by Janet Cho on 30th November 2023.
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