Kuala Lumpur is offering visitors not only a taste of Malaysia’s diverse culinary cuisines but also a chance to experience traditional performances this month.
This is part of Tourism Malaysia’s exciting new programme called “Spice & Soul of Malaysia”, which blends food and culture together. It is also one of the many exciting events happening in the run-up to Visit Malaysia 2026.
The programme features Malaysia’s “supper culture” – where people frequent F&B outlets, namely coffee shops and food stall, past midnight – and introduces it to visitors via the “Midnight Supper” initiative.
Through this, visitors can experience similar late-night experiences at participating restaurants, specifically those under the Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia (Presma), a Muslim restaurant operator association in Malaysia.
One of these restaurants is Saloma Kuala Lumpur, which will operate until 3am this month.
Meanwhile, hotels participating in the Spice & Soul of Malaysia programme include ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Hotel Royal Signature, and The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Patrons can enjoy cultural shows, special activities and themed menus.
According to Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung, who was at the launch of the programme in KL recently, the country recorded a whopping tourist expenditure of RM106.8bil last year, with the gastronomy sector contributing 16.1% of the total. Data showed a growth of nearly 1% compared to 2023.
“Gastronomy tourism, which offers local Malaysian food experiences, is a popular activity with tourists both locally and internationally,” Lee said at the event.
He added: “Our rich culinary scene is one of the most appealing factors in the country, making it an important component in boosting Malaysia’s economy.”
