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Malaysian cuisine is exotic with an exciting range of flavours and culinary styles offering the uninitiated an endless gastronomic adventure. It comprises three main groups - Malay, Chinese and Indian with each having its own distinct style of cooking. There are also cuisines that have evolved from the meeting of cultures notably those of the Nonya and Indian Muslim communities. For the visitor who is interested in dining out, Kuala Lumpur will prove to be a unique experience both in terms of the array of culinary delights as well as in the wide choice of settings. You can dine out at posh hotel restaurants, elegant chain restaurants, chic sidewalk cafes, delicatessens or eat out at the many hawker stalls till the wee hours of the morning. The are many fast food chains such as A&W, McDonalds, KFC and other western and eastern eateries and restaurants.
Malay Food
Malay cuisine is rich and spicy arising from the use of hard spices and a wet spice mixture of rempah and coconut milk. Malay cuisine varies from region to region. Kelantanese cuisine, akin to Thai cooking for example, has a sweetish taste due to liberal use of coconut milk and sugar in cooking. On the other hand, the cuisine of Kedah is spicier due to the influence of Indians who arrived there centuries ago during the spice trade.
For the adventurous, there is an array of popular Malay dishes to tantalise their buds. A favourite with Malaysians is nasi lemak, rice cooked in coconut milk served with anchovies, squids, eggs, cucumber and sambal (chili paste). An East Coast favourite is nasi dagang, fragrant unpolished glutinous rice steamed with coconut milk and served with tuna fish curry. Nasi kerabu, another rice-based dish native to Kelantan, is served with local herbs and salted fish A Malay banquet would not be complete without the ever popular satay, skewered chicken or beef marinated in spices, the grilled over charcoal fire. It is served with peanut gravy, rice cubes, cucumber and onions..
Western Food
Foreign visitors will be pleasantly surprised to discover the abundance of international cuisine available in KL. Restaurants serving international cuisine can usually be found in major hotels as well as in the vicinity of Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang and Bangsar where there is a sizeable expatriate community
Chinese Food
A wide variety of Chinese cuisine is available in Kuala Lumpur. Among the popular styles of cooking are those of the Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese, Hakka and Szechuan communities.  Generally, Chinese is mild in flavour but local influence has given it a slightly spicier taste. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, there are elevenses where dim sum (steamed snacks) is served. Apart from the hotel outlets and large chain restaurants, Chinese food is also available in most coffee shops around KL.
Indian Food
Indian cuisine is rich and spicy arising from the use of hard spices and a wet spice mixture of rempah or curry powder. Indian cuisine in Asia are usually very potent and can be very hard on the stomach. It's not like what you get down town in Portsmouth or Manchester. Indian food in Malaysia can be quite unforgiving on the stomach for first timer 'non-hard core' curried cuisine novices. So, take heed be forewarned. Indian food can easily be found at most street stalls and hotels. If you are brave enough, we suggest you try the Indian cuisine within the hotel, where the potency can be a little forgiving on the tummy and are much more decently prepared.
SHOPPING AND WHERE TO SHOP.
Bukit Bintang Street - Bukit Bintang is indisputably one of the city's foremost shopping districts offering a multitude of merchandise to suit every taste and budget. The cities major shopping outlets are located in this area namely Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, lmbi Plaza, Lot 10, Starhill Plaza and Kuala Lumpur Plaza.
Bukit Bintang Plaza
One of KL's oldest shopping centres, Bukit Bintang Plaza still attracts the crowds with its offerings of local and international goods comprising clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, sports goods, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products, computers and furniture.
Sungei Wang Plaza
Integrated with the adjacent Bukit Bintang Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza is a magnet for all shoppers in the city. This perennially popular shopping centre houses many retail outlets offering an incredible assortment of goods catering for all tastes and budgets.
lmbi Plaza
Located beside Sungei Wang Plaza along Jalan lmbi, this is the place for those who are interested in computer hardware and software. Take your time to check out the latest computer products at the numerous shops here.
Lot 10
This huge shopping mall with its distinctive green and blue striped facade caters to upmarket shoppers. Shoppers will have no problem finding their favourite branded designer items. lsetan is the anchor tenant.
Star Hill Plaza
Adjacent to JW Marriot Hotel, Starriill Plaza is a stylish building with marble flooring and gilded banisters. It has six floors of retail outlets, mostly exclusive boutiques with the Tangs Department Store as the anchor tenant.
Kuala Lumpur Plaza
Sandwiched between Lot 10 and Starhill Plaza, KL Plaza is a good place to shop for exclusive watches, travelling bags, designer shoes and jewellery. Tower Records the huge music retail outlet located here is a treasure trove of audio-visual items for music buffs.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Street
This stretch of road is flanked on both sides by pre-war buildings whose interesting facades have been preserved and re-adapted for modern businesses, mostly retailing. Walk through the archways of these shops for an immersion into a shopping and cultural experience that goes back several decades. 
Nightmarkets
Lorong Tuanku Abdui Rahman is closed to traffic between 5pm - 10pm every Saturday and transforms into a night market where petty traders and hawkers sell an assortment of goods In-the open air. The night market offers visitors an interesting place to walk through and perhaps pick up some casual attire, local products, clothing as well as sample some local delicacies.
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Mont Kiara (6)
