Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Staying at the other end of Jalan Pudu - away from Puduraya Station (Hentian Puduraya) was interesting because it felt like I was left off center. It was still part of the Golden Triangle, the Bukit Bintang realm, but the place is really in the fringes of this backpack epicenter. In this area, I stayed in 2 nearby hotels or guesthouses: Hotel Orkid Inn and Beltif Hotel which were a study of contrasts. The area is also very close to Berjaya Times Square and the Imbi monorail station. From Jalan Pudu, the next intersecting street was that of Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, easily demarcated by the high rise of Taragon and Furama Hotel. The area is dotted with dated shop houses, turned into mostly Chinese-Malaysian restaurants. As you go further east and southeast, you find karaoke bars and massage parlors found in the areas of Jalan Baba, Jalan Nyonya and Jalan Brunei Utara.
My earliest association with the oddly named street is by gastronomy. though there's more than enough option, I stayed away from dark colored entrees. Kedai Mekanan Teochew is a safe choice for a restaurant. It fancies itself as a porridge restaurant, with several options on platters. A plate with several spoonfuls of mixed viand and rice is a measly 5.50 ringgit, plus 2 ringgit of Coke.
There's an upscale shopping complex in the vicinity called Shaw Parade which is decked in luminous red. There's a bank and a convenience store. Beltif Hotel is located in the same street. Though you will find a sign that says "Internet" along the same road, there's no browsing to be had there; just online gaming.
The area isn't exactly pretty, but its proximity to Bukit Bintang, Puduraya Station and the Bintang Walk makes it an ideal place for backpackers and other tourists. This post tries to document the area.
This is the Eye in the Sky!
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| This mixed plate at Kedai Mekanan Teochew Restaurant costs a measly 5.50 ringgit. |
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| Food during late lunch. |
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| My food at dinner time. |
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| Kedai Makanan Teochew Porridge Restaurant |
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| Beltif Hotel at the right side of the building. |
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| Shaw Parade |
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| Purple Cane Tea Restaurant (above and below) |
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| Sunday Club |
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| Jalan Basa |
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| An altar in front of a Karaoke Bar |
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| Dark corner along Jalan Pudu |
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| Map of the area |
It felt like walking the street with you as you give us a tour of the area. Pictures speak volumes.
ReplyDeleteThe food makes me drooling.
Now, what do you mean by 'staying away from dark colored entrees'? Red meat or something else?
Asking so that we can watch out when w
e go out to eat Asian food...
@ NRIGirl:
ReplyDeleteI am not very adventurous when it comes to food. Basically I stay away from these "dark colored food": dark orange, reddish... those stuff because usually they're spicy, and I don't have the constitution for spicy/chilly gastronomy. I perspire and palpitate and need a gallon of water per spoonful. :) It's really just a personal thing.
We have similar food in the Philippines - "Bicol Express", some varieties of Sisig - I try to avoid them because I was never used to spicy. Most other people I know "LOVE" them though. :)
Got it! I am sure I would love it too!
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