Malaysia - Elemental Quests

Malaysia is a South East Asian country at the end of the Malay Peninsula and the north of Borneo. It is a multiethnic and multicultural country, composed of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and 18 aboriginal groups (orang asli). Explore its exciting mash-up of cuisines and flavors.

Must Sees | Food | Transportation

MUST SEES

Jalan Alor

Jalan Alor is a food street that wakes up at night. Hawkers set up stalls in front of storefronts with al fresco dining. It’s hard to decide what to eat among all the stalls offering noodles, seafood, durian, and desserts. Remember to bring napkins.

Jalan Petaling

Chinatown’s Jalan Petaling contains many vendor tents. Try your luck at haggling over clothing, souvenirs, and electronics. There are also food stalls selling local delicacies. In a back alley behind the shophouses, Kwai Chai Hong has wall murals depicting life in the past.

Petronas Towers

At 1,483 feet and 88 floors, the Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest buildings from 1996 until 2004. Cesar Pelli’s twin skyscrapers are a post-modern marvel of shimmering stainless steel and glass. They also incorporate Islamic designs and repeating geometric shapes.

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are a 30-minute train ride north of KL. A 140-foot gold statue of Lord Murugan stands in front of a 272-step staircase to the entrance. Inside, a giant oculus shines light into the dark cave.

Masjid Negara

Masjid Negara is the national mosque of Malaysia. Malaysia incorporated tropical motifs and modern design elements. The main roof looks like a 16-pointed star or a blue umbrella. The minaret looks like a folded umbrella.

Guan Di Temple

Guan Di Temple has red columns supporting a roof of green tiles and dragons. General Guan Di was one of China’s fiercest warriors, and his statue guards the door. This is a Taoist temple for worshipping the energies that generate life.

Sri Mahamariamman

Sri Mahamariamman Temple has a 5-story gopuram on its roof. There are 228 colorful Hindu gods on the tower. You can view the inner sanctum containing Mariamman, the wife of Lord Shiva.

FOOD

Nasi Lemak

Nasi lemak is a fragrant Malay rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan, and wrapped in a banana leaf. This bundle has fried chicken, accompanied with fried anchovies, peanuts, sliced cucumbers, fried shallots, hard-boiled eggs, and sambal.

Curry Laksa

The bowl contains a curry coconut milk broth with rice noodles, green beans, eggplant, tofu puffs, clams, and pork skin. Add some lime juice and hot sambal sauce to the creamy spicy soup.

Roti Canai

Roti canai is a flatbread with many chewy and crispy layers.

Chili Prawns

Chili prawns are similar to the famous Chili Crab dish, but they are easier to manage. They butterfly and then stir-fry the prawns in a chili, tomato, garlic sauce. The red sauce is sticky, sweet, savory, and spicy. You will definitely get your hands dirty.

Sate

You can find sate skewers at most hawker stalls and food courts all over Malaysia. Dip them in the sweet peanut sauce.

Assam Laksa

Assam laksa is soup with a bite, unlike smooth and silky curry laksa. It is red and sour, a tangy bowl containing fish, rice, and noodles.

Cendol

Cendol is a popular dessert with shaved ice, coconut milk, green mung bean noodles, red beans, and molasses syrup. It’s refreshing in the hot and balmy Malaysian climate.

Durian

Durian is the “king of fruits.” At Jalan Alor, the Musang King variety is as big as a bowling ball except with spikes. It has an unbelievably pungent odor, similar to garlic, liver, and onions. The flesh has a custardy texture and tastes like pineapple and onions.

TRANSPORTATION

Monorail

The best part of the monorail is that you get a great view of the journey and the city. The train is packed like sardines, but has great A/C.

Guangzhou Layover

Take a layover in Guangzhou, China on your way to Malaysia. With a 13-hour layover, you can get a free transit visa. The free shuttle will take you to your free hotel room. There should be just enough time to grab dinner and explore the city.

Regions