Singapore to Malaysia Real Food Adventure

Taste some of the best Asian food of the region on an eight-day journey from Singapore to Malaysia. On this trip, you’ll experience the fusion of Muslim and Malay culinary traditions, tasting the influences that Chinese, Indian and indigenous flavours have had on the local cuisines. As you journey from Singapore’s hawker centres into Kuala Lumpur and Penang, taste dishes like nasi lemak, char kway teow, roti canai, and laksa, all while checking out the highlights of the area. Visit Gardens by the Bay and Perah Temple and maybe use your free time to see the views from Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Petronas Towers. You’ll also get off the beaten track for a break in the countryside in the Cameron Highlands, where you’ll taste locally brewed tea at a tea factory and walk through the forest for some fresh air. Eat with locals, learn how to make some iconic dishes and support the local communities along the way – what could be a better adventure for a foodie?

Day 1: Singapore
Welcome to Singapore! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After, head to a welcome dinner in Little India and get to know the local cuisine – Singapore is popular for its hawker centres (bustling market-type food halls with individual food stalls serving up an array of local cuisines) and tonight, you might try some street snacks like samosas, vadai and masala thosai (Indian pancakes). Maybe also tuck into plates of biryani, dosa and vegetarian thali sets served on banana leaves and wash it all down with a local beer.
Day 2: Singapore
Today is all about exploring Singapore’s sites and trying more of the delicious local food. After breakfast, head out as a group on an orientation walk to get your bearings. During your exploration, taste some local snacks like kaya toast (crispy toasted bread served with a sweet coconut and egg jam) and ang ku kueh (also known as red tortoise cake, this is a soft, chewy pastry filled with sweet or savoury fillings). Then, head to the iconic Gardens by the Bay and take a walk through the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, watching as the butterflies fly from plant to plant. From inside these amazing indoor gardens, you can get some great views of the city below! Later, you’ll head to the Merlion Park to see the symbol of Singapore – half lion, half mermaid, the Merlion represents resilience, evolution and the unique blend of tradition and modernity which defines this city. Take your photos with the majestic beast. For dinner, maybe head to a local hawker centre for some delicious local food.
Day 3: Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
Take the public bus to Kuala Lumpur (often referred to simply as KL) – the capital city of Maylasia. When you arrive, explore the city on an orientation walk with your leader, visiting the Masjid Jamek lookout to see where the Klang and Gombak Rivers meet (the name Kuala Lumpur literally translates to ‘muddy confluence’). Continue to Merdeka Square, where you’re free to grab some lunch on Petaling Street or in the Central Market. This evening, you have free time to maybe visit the Kuala Lumpur Tower’s observation deck and the popular Petronas Towers.
Day 4: Kuala Lumpur
Tuck into a breakfast of roti canai and teh tarik (tea and condensed milk) this morning. Then, head out for a walking tour to learn about the varying cultures of Malaysia. With a local guide, you’ll get a good introduction into Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism with temple visits, church visits, sacred rituals, fortune telling and a tasting of local Indian snacks and sweets. Maybe get a traditional henna drawing on your hand, then enjoy a free afternoon. Tonight, you’ll head to Kafe Basikal Tua for a special homecooked dinner – this hidden gem empowers the local visually impaired community, who prepare all the dishes using local ingredients. Start with a demonstration on how to wear the traditional batik, then don your dinner wear and tuck into some appetisers like pie tee (a thin and crunchy shell filled with spicy or sweet vegetables, prawns or beef), fried spring rolls and bergedil (crispy potatoes and meat). Then, try some local rice and meat dishes like nasi hujan panas, nasi arab, soto ayam and nasi kerabu, followed by a dessert of mixed fruit, caramel pudding, ice cream and tea.
Day 5: Ipoh / Cameron Highlands
After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to Kuala Lumpur and head to the Cameron Highlands – a scenic highland region with tea plantations, strawberry farms and many temples. When you arrive, head to Kia Farm to explore the open-air market here, which is filled with local produce. Enjoy a free afternoon soaking in the beautiful surroundings and maybe visit the Cameron Floral Park or have a cup of tea at the Jim Thompson Tea Room. Tonight, you’ll meet back up with your group for a steamboat (also known as hotpot) dinner. Tuck into your plant-based steamboat, made with local produce and fresh ingr4edeints, and soak up the friendly atmosphere as you cook your own vegetables in a flavourful broth.
Day 6: Penang
For breakfast this morning, you’ll visit Yong Teng Cafe – run by a mute and deaf couple in the Cameron Highlands, this cafe serves a variety of delicious breakfast options like chicken chop, pancakes, nasi lemak and fried noodles, all cooked fresh when you order. After, you’ll head into the Mossy Forest for an easy, scenic walk to the viewpoint. Then, visit one of the highlands’ tea factories and taste a cup of the local brew before setting out for Penang. Along the way, visit the Perak Cave Temple in Ipoh and stop at Concubine Lane for a coffee. When you arrive on Penang Island (known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and the ‘Island of Pearls’), you’ll walk around with your leader to get your bearings. Then, you’re free to watch the sunset and grab some local fare for dinner.
Day 7: Penang
Hit the streets on a heritage tour where you’ll see some local sites like the Colonial Palace. Take a trishaw ride past the palace and some other historical buildings, seeing them from a different perspective. After, take a hands-on cooking class in the garden, learning about the local herbs and spices used in traditional dishes. Pick up some amazing family recipes here, then enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. Have some free time to relax afterwards. Tonight, why not celebrate your foodie adventure with a dinner at a local Nyonya restaurant known for its delicious Peranakan cuisine – this cuisine embodies the rich cultural fusion and heritage of your journey from Singapore to Penang.
Day 8: Penang
There are no further activities planned after breakfast this morning and you’re free to leave your accommodation at any time after check out. If you would like to extend your stay, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.