Lot 10 Hutong: A Gourmet Heritage Village in Bukit Bintang | Malaysia Purple Travel Guide

(map, reviews, website)

The Lot 10 Hutong Food Market (Chui Lai Xiang) is not a typical food court; it is a well marketed heritage food village located in the basement of the Lot 10 shopping mall. Situated in the heart of the Bukit Bintang district, this ‘gourmet heritage village’ spans approximately 22,500 square feet (2,095 square meters). Its unique concept is to gather the best, most legendary, and oldest hawker stalls from across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Ipoh under one roof, preserving traditional flavors in a modern, hygienic setting.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

Why You Should Visit

This destination solves the traveler's dilemma of needing to chase down dozens of separate, often hard-to-find, generational hawker stalls across the city. Lot 10 Hutong guarantees an extraordinary, high-quality, and authentic Malaysian Chinese culinary experience in a convenient, clean, and air-conditioned environment. For the self-guided traveler, it is a living museum of taste where you can explore the culinary history of the country without the tropical heat or the need for extensive travel between neighborhoods.

What is Special About It?

• The Concept: Launched in 2009 by entrepreneur Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, the food court was designed to combat the disappearance of traditional recipes due to urban redevelopment. Every vendor is handpicked, and the minimum criteria for entry is often a track record of at least 40 to 50 years of operation.
• The Ambiance: The design evokes the atmosphere of the traditional narrow alleyways (hutongs) of old Beijing. The layout is intentionally labyrinthine, featuring dark wood, traditional Chinese lamps, and cozy nooks that encourage exploration.
• Must-Try Dishes: Kim Lian Kee Hokkien Mee: Founded in 1927, they are the purported inventors of the dark, smoky, charcoal-fried Hokkien Mee.
• Soong Kee Beef Noodle: Serving since 1945, they are famous for springy noodles topped with a savory minced meat sauce and a side of peppery beef ball soup.
• Hon Kee Porridge: A Petaling Street legend since 1949, famous for its ‘Raw Fish Porridge’ where thin slices of fish are cooked instantly in the piping hot congee.
• Ho Weng Kee: Known for their distinctive, thick, and springy BBQ Pork (Char Siew) Wantan Noodles.

History and Facts

• A Global Endorsement: The food court was famously endorsed by the late celebrity food critic Chua Lam, who serves as the international brand ambassador. His calligraphy and photographs can be seen decorating the walls of the market.
• Heritage Preservation: By bringing these hawkers into a premium mall setting, the project has provided a platform for third and fourth-generation family members to continue their family legacies in a more sustainable business environment.
• Non-Halal Status: Historically significant as the first major shopping mall food court in Malaysia to be entirely non-halal, allowing the vendors to maintain the original recipes—many of which rely on pork lard for their signature wok hei (breath of the wok) flavor.

Self-Guided Information

Traveler Tip

You should be adventurous and try the ‘Moonlight’ style noodles at Kim Lian Kee, which come topped with a raw egg that resembles a full moon. When mixed into the hot, dark noodles, it creates a rich, creamy sauce. If you are traveling in a group, you should order several different dishes and share them ‘family style’ to experience the widest range of Malaysian Chinese heritage flavors in a single sitting.

Back to your Self-Guided Kuala Lumpur Walking Tour

Where do you want to go now?

Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:

Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later: