Home to one of the largest wet markets in Kuala Lumpur, Pudu is a bustling district wedged between Bukit Bintang, Cheras and Maluri. It was home to a British colonial prison for more than 100 years before it was demolished to make way for a modern shopping mall. Today, Pudu is a popular destination for in-the-know foodies thanks to its authentic Asian night market.
Things to do in Pudu
Dominating the district is the Pudu Wet Market where you’ll find more than 1,500 stalls selling everything from fresh vegetables and meats to colourful spices. It’s one of the oldest surviving wet markets in Kuala Lumpur, with an energy and atmosphere that’s all its own. If you’re feeling hungry, you can select a fish from one of the seafood stalls and have it cooked to order in the nearby food court.
North of the district is the former site of Pudu Prison, a colonial-built penitentiary that housed some of Malaysia’s most notorious criminals. After being largely demolished in 2012, all that remains is its photogenic gate, plus a section of the exterior wall. Now occupying the site is the modern shopping mall of LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, where you’ll find fashion, electronics and homewares stores.
After dark, head to the Glutton Street Night Market to feast on traditional Cantonese and Peranakan dishes. Highlights include fried radish cakes, Hakka-style noodles and grilled tofu drizzled with rojak sauce. The surrounding streets are filled with eateries serving everything from dim sum to desserts.
Getting around Pudu
Pudu is a 10-minute drive from the Kuala Lumpur Central railway station and just under an hour from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Regular trains and trams connect to the Pudu railway station and buses travel throughout the district.