Kuih at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur

Last updated: October 2026

About Kuih at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit

For traditional Malay sweets, the kuih stalls at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit are the place to go. Kuih is the umbrella term for Malaysian bite-sized cakes and snacks, and the variety is staggering: kuih lapis (layered steamed cake in pastel colours), onde-onde (glutinous rice balls filled with liquid palm sugar), kuih seri muka (two-layer pandan and glutinous rice cake), kuih koci and dozens more. Each piece costs RM1 to RM3.

The market is busiest in the early morning, when the selection is widest and the kuih is freshest. Most stalls wind down by early afternoon. Everything at the bazaar is halal. The experience of walking through the wet market, past vegetable vendors and spice stalls, to reach the kuih corner is part of the appeal. For visitors staying near Chow Kit or Kampung Baru, this is a morning detour that costs under RM10 and delivers a complete survey of traditional Malay pastry craft.

A practical half-day dessert route: start at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit in the morning for kuih and a light breakfast. Head to Chinatown by late morning for Bunn Choon egg tarts (arrive before 1 pm). After lunch, walk to a nearby Inside Scoop or Sangkaya outlet for ice cream. If you are out late, end at Kunafa Crisp in Bukit Bintang, which stays open until 3 am.

For a Bangsar-focused afternoon, combine Jaslyn Cakes with Kind Kones at Bangsar Village II — both are within walking distance and cover cakes and ice cream from two different approaches (one non-halal, one vegan and halal).

Traditional desserts like cendol and ais kacang are best eaten at hawker centres as part of a larger hawker food meal. Order them after your savoury dishes — most stalls are within the same food court or market.

The most popular KL desserts include Bunn Choon egg tarts in Chinatown, cendol (shaved ice with green rice-flour jelly and palm sugar), ais kacang (shaved ice with beans, corn and syrup), Sangkaya coconut ice cream and traditional Malay kuih. Ice cream from Inside Scoop and Softsrve has also become essential eating for visitors.

Penang Road Famous Cendol has a branch in KL that serves the same recipe as the original Penang stall. Hawker centres across the city also serve cendol, with stalls at Jalan Alor and Kampung Baru being reliable options. A bowl of cendol typically costs RM5 to RM8.

Most KL desserts are halal. Sangkaya, Inside Scoop, Softsrve, Kunafa Crisp and all cendol and ais kacang stalls serve halal-certified or Muslim-friendly products. Bunn Choon uses lard in some pastries, so check before ordering if halal status is important to you. Malay kuih from bazaar stalls is always halal.

Traditional desserts like cendol, ais kacang and kuih cost RM1 to RM10. Bunn Choon egg tarts are RM2.50 each. Modern ice cream from Inside Scoop and Softsrve costs RM10 to RM22 per serve. Kunafa and Middle Eastern desserts at Bukit Bintang range from RM15 to RM35.

Bunn Choon egg tarts sell out by early afternoon, so arrive before 1 pm. Cendol and ais kacang stalls are busiest at lunchtime and stay open until late afternoon. Ice cream shops like Inside Scoop and Softsrve open from noon and run until 10 pm or later. Kunafa Crisp stays open until 3 am, making it a strong late-night option.

What to Order at Kuih at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit

Kuih at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit offers a menu that changes with seasonal ingredients and availability. Below are the typical items you can expect. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and may vary.

• Signature dish (RM15–25) — The house specialty and most popular order. Ask staff for the day's recommendation if it rotates.
• Set meal (RM20–35) — A main course paired with a drink. Good value for a full meal.
• Drinks (RM5–15) — Coffee, tea, fresh juice and soft drinks. Specialty coffees cost slightly more.
• Dessert (RM8–18) — Daily selection that changes regularly. Worth asking what's freshly made.

Prices are approximate and were last checked in October 2026. The venue may adjust pricing without notice.

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