Exploring ethnic enclaves in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

My hobby is exploring ethnic enclaves in the cities I frequent. Sometimes I post my repeat visits to the enclaves on local travel forums/meetups, hoping to meet locals and travelers who may be keen on visiting these places. You get to hear locals’ views on the guest communities.

Last Sunday, I showed one such ethnic enclave in Kuala Lumpur— the northern edge of Chinatown, which now hosts food and markets from several countries. My guests were a colourful bunch — some Kuala Lumpur residents and some travellers. I heard from the locals that they felt shy and anxious to explore the place on their own.

We started with a Burmese restaurant, where ladies in thanaka (the natural sunscreen) and lyongi (wraparound bottom wear)served us the milk tea and mohinga (rice noodle and fish soup dish). The place was crowded when we arrived, but the patrons were happy to accommodate us. It seems they rarely get non-Myanmar people to come in.

Next, we climbed up a narrow staircase past the Rambo Supermarket (perhaps they sell supplies to take over a small country) for some Nepalese momo.

We went to the Filipino enclave for the sweet and cold halo-halo dessert. The survivors of this intrepid trek ended up at what is probably the cheapest and most colorful watering hole in Kuala Lumpur.