Food Trails Of West Malaysia

📍 Singapore to Malacca Sentral (255km) 4 hours (included exit and entry border) Kuala Lumpur - Malacca (150 km): approx 2.15 hrs Malacca Walking Tour (3 km) 3-4 hours

Departure to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. On arrival in Malacca, transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Meet the guide at the hotel at 18:30 to experience the delights of Malacca cuisine and get a closer look at the local culinary culture that makes Malacca such a hub of international cuisine. 

Spend the evening walking and taking colorful rickshaws through the smaller streets of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Stop at a variety of local restaurants, some offer traditional Malay dishes while others offer culinary treats influenced by overseas traders who came to Malacca over the past 2,000 years. Run by the same family for generations these restaurants specialize in one type of dish, from chicken rice balls to cendol (a refreshing dessert with coconut and caramelized palm sugar) or asam pedas (a spicy fish stew), making them true experts in their craft. 

Start with a satay celup, which is a type of hot peanut fondue to dip the chicken and vegetable skewers in. With the piping hot aromatic peanuts and wide assortment of skewered meat and vegetables, it is one of Malacca’s signature dishes. Any trip will not be completed without savoring a taste! 

Loading a variety of spices, coconut-based sauces, meats and vegetables into clay pots at the traditional clay pot specialty restaurant. Roast them over a strong open fire, this brings out incredible flavors and aromas which one simply will not find at home.

Next, delight the palate in the sumptuous aromas of Indian tandoori spices. Arriving in Malacca 2,000 years ago as spice traders, the Indians brought with them a form of cuisine where marinated meat is put on long metal skewers and cooked over an intense fire in a clay oven. 

Continue onwards to try Chinese specialties like dim sum, as well street food from a hawker stall that boasts a variety of Malay and Chinese recipes. 

Continue to the old town and stroll through the heritage houses along Jonker street, before ending up at a picturesque cafe along the canal. Lined with street art, colorful lights and music playing from nearby bars, this is a fantastic spot to relax with a drink and muse upon the multicultural cuisines that people brought to this quaint world heritage town. 

Overnight in Malacca.
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Malacca to Kuala Lumpur (150 km) 2.15 Hours

Be picked up from the hotel for a full-day city tour of quaint Malacca. Steeped in history as a trading post due to its vital location along the Malacca Strait, the town is a melting pot of cultures resulting from distinct history from the rest of Malaysia notable due to the substantial Portuguese and Dutch influences. 

Best explored on foot (a trishaw can be used for this tour at an additional cost), meander through areas steeped in history starting at the oldest remaining example of European architecture in Southeast Asia, A Famosa, before climbing St Paul’s Hill to visit St Paul’s Church and descending to one of the best examples of Dutch colonial architecture, the Stadthuys - the former Dutch City Hall which is flanked by flamboyantly decorated trishaws.

Sample food at Peranakan style restaurants in Malacca. This style of food is influenced by the Cantonese, Portuguese and Malay ingredients and methods. Taste a delicious warm Portuguese tart from one of the many nearby vendors.

Next, head to Temple Street, named for the multicultural range of temples and mosques that have lined the street since the early 18th century. This is the perfect place to get a taste of the area’s uniquely diverse local culture. Visit Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampong King Mosque and Sri Vinayagar Temple to better understand Indian, Chinese and Malay religious customs.

Continue to see restored Peranakan buildings (a cultural mix of Han-Chinese and Malay that forged its own style, known as the Baba-Nyonya, from the 15th century). 

Visit the excellent Baba-Nyonya Museum along the way to learn more about the unique Peranakan culture before exploring some interesting antique stores and cafes along the famous Jonker Street. 

Stop by a traditional Malay house to learn about distinctive Malay customs and take a river cruise along the newly developed key side for a unique view of the city.

Depart by vehicle to Kuala Lumpur. Check it at the hotel.

Evening free at leisure.

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. 
Note: Baba Nyonya Museum is closed on Mondays
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Embark on a fabulous half day walking tour of Kuala Lumpur to experience the city’s history and ethnic heritage. Starting with a visit to Masjid Jamek, also known as Friday Mosque, one of the oldest buildings in Kuala Lumpur which gracefully sits on the banks of two rivers. Wander around the mosque grounds, learning about Islam in Malaysia and the arabesque influences in its design.  (Note: Like any place of worship, dress codes need to be adhered to, with robes and headscarves provided. Visit not available on Fridays.)

Then explore the vibrant streets around the mosque, where garland makers pedal brightly-coloured marigold offerings. Stop for a cup of traditional tea and Indian snacks, savouring the sweet flavours while discovering more about the Indian-Malay community and their beliefs. 

Continue to the architectural colonial heart of old Kuala Lumpur to learn about the past and present uses of these iconic buildings ranging from the late 1800’s to the mid 1930’s. Nearby there is a great viewpoint looking back at the Masjid Jamek. Snap a photo capturing the blend of the old and new architecture of Kuala Lumpur.

Wander into the Central Market, a vital hub of commerce for the city’s artisan community. Browse the stalls of local designers and craftsmen while enjoying the buzz of the marketplace. Learn about the history of this market and how it has transitioned over the years from a wet market into its modern-day commerce centre. 
  
Then cross into Chinatown, the last destination on today’s half day city tour. Explore the vibrant market, ancestral shrines and hidden old shop houses of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese-Malay residents. This area is also the birthplace of many of Malaysia’s signature culinary dishes, thus making it the perfect place to refuel. Pull up a chair at a popular restaurant and savour a plate of hokkien mee noodles alongside the locals. 

After this snack, return to the hotel for a chance to freshen up or continue with an independent exploration of Kuala Lumpur. 

This evening transfer to the incredible Petronas Towers (closed on mondays). Best viewed at night, these twin towers are among the most iconic modern structures in the world. Catch the sunset at the skybridge and observation deck before descending in time for the KLCC Lake Symphony water fountain show. A synchronised water fountain and light display sending colourful beams dancing through the water.

At 20:00, transfer to Tamarind Hill restaurant renowned for its rustic-luxe dining experience since 1999, Tamarind Hill is an epicurean getaway situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Garnering numerous awards throughout the years, it has made a name for itself as one of the finest Thai and Burmese restaurants in the city. Defined by its tranquil and welcoming ambience, it is drawing inspiration from nature and the local culture.

Dress Code: Smart casual or easy-glam. For Men collared shirts, long pants and closed shoes are preferred (No short, sleeveless shirt and slippers).

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves (15km) 20 min Batu Caves to Ipoh (200km) 2h30min

08:45 Meet with the driver and depart on a scenic journey to Ipoh. Stop on the way at Batu Caves, the largest and most important Hindu temple in Malaysia, nestled in the chamber of a large cave atop a stunning limestone mountain.

Please note: Batu Caves is a religious site, thus a dress code for visitors is enforced. For women, they should cover their shoulders as well as their legs below knee length (nothing too short or revealing). For men, a t-shirt and shorts are acceptable, as long as the shorts are below the knee. Please do not wear singlets/tank tops or flip flops.
 
Arrive into Ipoh, Malaysia’s third most populous city and charms with a mixture of time-worn shophouses facades and magnificently restored colonial buildings. Ipoh’s abundant street art and culinary scene has countless restaurants cooking up delicious meals that run the gamut from Malay to Indian to Chinese that has transformed Ipoh into a top destination in Asia. 

Check in at the hotel.

1600 Take a leisurely stroll around Ipoh’s compact and historic Old Town on this half day walking tour hunting for street art and delicious eats in this graceful town of old Peranakan architecture, burgeoning hipster cafes and flourishing street art. Build up an appetite walking through Ipoh’s old town in search of Ernest Zacharevic’s street art, a name synonymous with the famous street art of Georgetown, Penang. There are seven murals that are scattered along the laneways of this historic mining town. 

With an abundance of hawker food stalls selling local favourites including salt-baked chicken, claypot chicken rice, char kuey teow (rice noodles), rojak (a local salad) and Portuguese desserts like egg tarts and caramel custard, there are many chances to stop to taste a selection of Ipoh’s treats along the way. 

Overnight Ipoh
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Ipoh to Georgetown Hotel (160km): 2hours

Depart Ipoh early for the coastal fishing town of Kuala Sepetang. Famous for its charcoal kilns take a visit to one of the largest Charcoal factories in Malaysia established in 1930. Learn about the process of charcoal manufacturing. Take a 1-hour tour and learn the process of charcoal and enjoy chargrilled sweet potatoes after. 

Continue on a boat ride after to Kuala Sepetang’s fishing village before taking a local seafood lunch. Following lunch continue the 1.5hours to Georgetown. If time permits stop in Taiping and explore the lake gardens, the first public garden established during the British rule in Malaysia. Arriving in Penang for 15:00 check in and time to freshen up before an evening discovery of Penang.

16:00 Taste the best of Penang’s Street food on this evening walking tour with an expert who has mastered combining the palate with cocktails. Join a specialist foodie guide for this tour through the streets and laneways in Penang’s Heritage Zone in search of the best street food bites. Learn about the stories of these street hawkers while also hearing stories about how Penang’s been shaped by its rich cultural heritage which is why Penang’s food is so unique and delicious. 

Led by the specialist foodie guide, be taken through the heritage zone to taste some of the best treats from Indian vegetarian, Indian muslim and Chinese influences. In between the food stops stroll by and listen to stories of Penang’s famous street murals, important clan houses and boardwalks of the Clan Jetties. Part of Penang’s Heritage Trail, these old Chinese stilt-house settlements on the islands, were historically used for loading and unloading goods but only after 1957 began to join the modern era with amenities like water and electricity. 

This four-hour evening tour will stimulate all five senses and will end with a specialty cocktail, designed exclusively to cleanse the palate using local ingredients and spices, tailored and shaken by one of Penang’s famous mixologists. 

Walking Tour Time: 16:00 - 20:00

Overnight Penang.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Discover a more unusual side of Penang. 

Start the day the local way at 07:00, with a fabulous dim sum breakfast. Dining alongside crowds of Penangites, sample the city’s best dim sum. The guide will explain about the city’s culinary traditions and Malaysian dining etiquette while the din of conversation and clunking of chopsticks echo in the background. 

Once full, continue along Penang’s culinary trail with a visit to Chow Rasta. This wet market has been in operation since the early 1800’s and is the perfect place to observe scenes of daily life. Watch as housewives and chefs haggle with vendors for the freshest food and learn about the daily market culture of Penang. 

Switch gears, shifting from Penang’s culinary scene to its more artistic side. Head to Georgetown, Penang’s cultural centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the streets, looking beyond the heritage buildings and religious sites to discover remarkable street art. Discover whimsical paintings and sculptures as well as interactive murals inspired by daily life. Learn about the commissioning of one of Penang’s largest street art collections and the growing community of local artists who help add touches of personality to the city’s streets. 

Having enjoyed the best Penang Street art and its vibrant culinary scenes, return to the hotel at about 11:00 for a chance to freshen up

1400 Meet with the guide and start exploring by walking to the fascinating world of the Straits Chinese. Pass by the incredible Cheong Fatt Tse Mansion, better known as the blue mansion, St. George Church and the High Court. Stop at Yuan Yin Temple, also known as smoking temple due to the hundreds of joss sticks that are offered daily. 

After a photo-stop in front of the Capitan Kling Mosque, originally founded for the Muslim Indian community of the island, visit Khoo Kongsi with intricate carving, woodwork and porcelain décor. Originally established in 1835, the current structure dates back to 1906 and it is considered the finest clan house of all of Malaysia. The site is also part of the set for the famous movie Anna and the King.

After that, visit the nearby Yap Kongsi, built in 1924 by a clan association whose origins date back to 439 BC. Then visit Cheah Kongsi Temple, which is an eclectic mix of a Chinese mansion, Chinese temple, and European bungalow. The present temple structure is from the 1870s. 

Then proceed to the Clan Jetties of Georgetown originating from settlements of Chinese immigrants who share a common historical, geographical and family lineage. Today there are still six clan jetties along the waterfront. Take a stroll in their narrow wooden paths surrounded by typical old Asia decadent charm. Continue the Penang walking tour through the old town, stopping to admire some of the architectural wonders that earned the town a UNESCO World Heritage status. Admire the streets’ mix of old and new. Hear fascinating tales behind some of the historic structures, see modern, whimsical street art and keep an eye out for small workshops where craftsmen may be making items such as joss sticks or weaving rattan items. 

Return to the hotel.

Overnight Penang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

This morning, be picked up at 08:15 from the hotel for a transfer to Tropical Spice Garden. On arrival take a guided tour of the Spice Terraces, explore the lush landscaped award-winning gardens set out over 8 acres of secondary jungle. Then take a refreshment tea in the Bamboo Garden. Tucked away in a secluded corner of the gardens, the cooking school is surrounded by jungle trees and wildlife, a small herb garden and a glimpse of the Andaman Sea. 

At 10:15, the cooking class commences. Cook tasty Malay, Nyonya and/or Indian cuisine with the help of professional chefs. Peranakan or Nyonya cuisine is a unique combination of Chinese, Malay and other influences. Peranakans are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Malacca, Indonesia and Singapore, inter-marrying with local Malays. The old Malay word, nyonya is a term of respect and affection for women of prominent social standing (part madame and part auntie). The same word has come to refer to the cuisine of the Peranakans.

With a blend of Chinese ingredients with various distinct spices and cooking techniques from the Malay/Indonesian community, Nyonya cooking has a tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal combination. 
Mix this with the influence of Indian cuisine the experience is concluded with a delightful selection of dishes to enjoy for lunch on the patio. 

(Please note: Dishes will vary depending on the day and menu set. Some examples are: Penang Nyonya flavours/Best of Malay/Spices of India or Tropical Thai. Vegetarian options are available on request.)

Following the lunch, departs deep in the hills of the winding road of Teluk Bahang towards Balik Pulau to Art and Garden where nature meets with art. Within 1.5 acres of hilly land, in three-tier reaches, a green sanctuary showcases an amazing variety of bromeliads, air plants, aloes, agaves, gingers, trumpet pictures and orchids amidst glass, clay and metal sculptures as well as paintings and colourful mosaics. 

Take a pleasant walk along the terraced hill land with an explanation of each plant’s origin and use. Appreciate the seamlessly blended art glasswork with tropical planting and landscape along with many other mediums of work.

Transfer back to hotel by 16:30. 

Overnight in Penang.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer from Penang Hotel to Penang Airport (20km): 45 minutes

Transfer to Penang Airport for onward journey.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast