Street Art in Chinatown

I think so far one of my favourite areas in KL would be the Chinatown area.  There is so much to explore and we have definitely only seen the tip of the iceberg.  It just seems a little edgy with the traditional markets and restaurants now sitting next to new and funky bars and eateries. Had a fun morning with Christopher checking our some of the fantastic street art!

Chow Kit Road Market

Warning! This market (and some of these pictures) are not for the faint hearted....or vegetarians!

Chow Kit Road Market is in the Chinatown area of KL. It opens around 6am and is all done and dusted by 2pm. It is a typical asian "wet market". Apparently the term "wet market" was coined in Singapore in the late 1970s to differentiate traditional markets from newly popular supermarkets at the time. Selling fresh and perishable produce, they get their name from their wet floors, the result of melted ice from seafood stalls and water used to clean up after slaughtering live animals. Whilst I am pretty confident the slaughtering side of things is now done off site, the place is still a riot of colours, sights and sounds. And yes, the floors are still wet! (Best wear your closed toe shoes). You will find the freshest and the cheapest produce here and as such this is where the locals mostly shop. Compared to the supermarkets, the prices are crazy cheap.

I absolutely love wet markets. I never feel the need to barter as the prices are so low. They assault every one of your senses as you weave through. Vendors calling out their stalls wears and prices, cleavers clunking into massive wooden chopping blocks, fish flopping around in buckets in vain trying to make a last minute escape. Cigarettes dangling from the corner of mouths as everyone assures you their produce is superior! I also love shopping where the locals go and learning about different foods, herbs and spices. Malaysians are incredibly friendly and helpful. Most speak at least a little english and are more than happy to explain what something is and how it is used. I get a few strange looks but mostly big smiles as they are so proud of their offerings. Everything I buy here just tastes better. Fresher and more flavoursome. As mentioned above, its not for the faint hearted. In fact, the optional wearing of masks is an unexpected bonus from COVID! The smells can get, shall we say....pungent!

Nose to tail.  Nothing is wasted.

Still not too sure what this is but was with the coconut people selling fresh coconut milk.  Was described and a key ingredient for traditional Rendang.

My shopping haul

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Scarlett and I hit Central Market and Chinatown today. We are still stumbling our way around but have found that to actually be a bonus. With no clear direction we just wander where our eyes, noses and stomachs send us. And boy did we find a gem today!

BookXcess at RexKL is on the upper floor of the old Rex Cinema, which used to house the first-class seats and the projector room. We had just finished having a wander through the main part of Chinatown after getting soaked in a massive afternoon downpour.

Jagged left then right after exiting the main market and fell upon this incredible space! Both being avid book lovers it was like falling into a big slice of heaven.













The building itself is marketed as a lifestyle hub offering numerous boutique-concept shops on the mezzanine and first floor, this mindblowing book shop on the second floor and a series of modern-concept hawkers and cafes on the lower floor as well as a table tennis table! I have been reliably informed the food is great so definitely coming back for dinner with the family. They even had a bar which was an added bonus!

RexKL Address
80, Jalan Sultan,
City Centre,
50000 Kuala Lumpur

Closed Mondays