Pudu is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most underrated neighbourhoods.
While many visitors rush to Bukit Bintang or Chinatown, Pudu quietly preserves the city’s everyday soul — wet markets, hawker stalls, aging shoplots, Chinese temples, budget hotels, wholesale grocers, and some of the most authentic local food you’ll find in the capital.
Located just east of Bukit Bintang and south of Jalan Imbi, Pudu blends old-school Kuala Lumpur with pockets of modern regeneration. If you want to experience KL beyond the glossy malls and tourist strips, this is where you start.
Here’s your complete guide to things to do in Pudu.
Eat Your Way Through ICC Pudu
The heart of Pudu is ICC Pudu (Imbi Commercial Centre).
This multi-level complex houses:
- One of KL’s busiest wet markets
- A massive hawker food floor
- Fresh produce wholesalers
- Local snack and kuih stalls
Come early (7am–10am) to experience the morning rush.
Popular dishes you’ll find here:
- Curry laksa
- Pork noodles
- Chee cheong fun
- Nasi lemak
- Traditional kuih
For food lovers, this alone makes Pudu worth visiting.
Walk Through Pudu Wet Market
Even if you’re not shopping, walking through Pudu’s wet market gives you a raw, unfiltered look at local life.
Expect:
- Butchers chopping meat with rhythmic precision
- Fishmongers calling out daily specials
- Aunties negotiating prices
- The smell of herbs, dried seafood, and freshly fried snacks
This is the Kuala Lumpur that existed long before luxury malls.
Visit the Historic Pudu Jail Site
Few people realise that Pudu was once home to one of Malaysia’s most historic prisons — Pudu Jail.
Built in 1895 during British colonial rule, Pudu Jail operated for more than a century before it was officially demolished in 2010. It was particularly famous for its long exterior mural along Jalan Pudu, which at one point was recognised as one of the longest murals in the world.
The prison once stood as a powerful symbol of colonial-era law enforcement, later becoming a significant landmark in Kuala Lumpur’s urban memory.
Today, the site has been completely transformed.
The former prison grounds are now home to LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, a modern Japanese-themed shopping mall within the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) development.
However, not all traces of history were erased.
The original Pudu Jail main gate and portions of the outer wall have been preserved as heritage elements within the new development. These preserved structures stand as quiet reminders of the site’s layered past — where colonial prison cells once stood, luxury retail and lifestyle spaces now operate.
Read more about the story of Pudu Jail: Pudu Prison Gate, The Last Remains Of Kuala Lumpur’s Prison Complex
Discover Old-School Coffee Shops (Kopitiam Culture)
Pudu still preserves old kopitiams with:
- Mosaic floor tiles
- Ceiling fans
- Marble-top tables
- Toast with kaya and butter
- Strong kopi-O
These are not curated hipster cafés. They are functional, community spaces.
Order:
- Half-boiled eggs
- Kaya toast
- Kopi peng
- Hainanese-style chicken chop
It’s everyday KL culture at its purest.
Hunt for Street Art & Urban Corners
While not as famous as Chinatown’s murals, Pudu has scattered street art across side lanes and shoplot walls.
Walk along:
- Jalan Pudu
- Jalan Pasar
- Small back alleys near ICC
You’ll find a mix of:
- Faded colonial walls
- Bright modern murals
- Wholesale signage
- Old hardware shops
This contrast makes Pudu visually interesting — gritty but authentic.
Explore Jalan Pasar’s Electronics & Wholesale Street
Just off Pudu, Jalan Pasar is famous for electronics parts and wholesale supplies.
You’ll find:
- Cables
- Speakers
- Light bulbs
- DIY electronics components
- Electrical repair shops
It’s chaotic but fascinating — a reminder that KL still has working-class commercial streets beyond shopping malls.
Try Pudu’s Local Food Beyond ICC
Pudu is a food neighbourhood.
Besides ICC, you’ll find:
- Char siew rice
- Roast pork
- Hokkien mee
- Claypot rice
- Herbal duck soup
- Chinese desserts
Many shops here have been operating for decades, passed down across generations.
Visit the Buddha Jayanti Temple
Along Jalan Pudu stands Buddha Jayanti Temple, a Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist temple established in 1956.
Unlike the ornate Chinese temples in Chinatown, this temple has a calm white facade and serene interior — offering a peaceful escape from the busy streets.
Experience Pudu During Ramadan
During Ramadan, sections of Pudu host vibrant night bazaars selling:
- Ayam percik
- Murtabak
- Roti john
- Kuih-muih
- Nasi kerabu
If you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur during this period, the atmosphere becomes even livelier in the evenings.
Explore more of Ramadan Bazaars around Kuala Lumpur in this list.
Is Pudu Worth Visiting?
Yes — especially if you want:
- Authentic local food
- Traditional market culture
- Historic KL stories
- Budget-friendly stays
- A glimpse of everyday city life
Pudu may not be glamorous, but it represents the lived-in side of Kuala Lumpur.
And for travellers seeking real local experiences, that’s exactly what makes it special.
How To Get To Pudu
Pudu is easily accessible via:
- MRT Kajang Line (Pudu Station)
- LRT Ampang Line (Chan Sow Lin Station nearby)
- Grab / e-hailing
- 15–20 minutes walk from Bukit Bintang
