Simply Enak Food Tours

Simply Enak is one of Kuala Lumpur's longest-running food tour companies and a good way to tackle the city's huge street food scene with expert help. It was established in 2011 by Pauline Lee, with co-founder Maarten van Rijn, and the company says it has hosted more than 5,000 guests on its Kuala Lumpur street food tours since then. Enak means delicious in Malay, which sets the tone.

The company's approach is personal. Its guides grew up in the city, and the stalls and eateries on the tours are family-run places where the owners know the guides by name. That makes the tours a good introduction not only to the food but to the people and neighbourhoods behind it, and to the way Malaysia's Malay, Chinese and Indian communities have shaped what the city eats.

There are several Kuala Lumpur tours to choose from. The Heart of KL Street Food is the classic introduction, a tasting walk of around three and a half hours. Beyond Chinatown: Pudu's Living Heritage explores one of the city's older working districts and its long-established eateries, and Discover KL After Dark is a four-hour evening tour for those who want to see the city's night food culture. Flavours of Malaysia offers a broader tasting of the country's cuisines, and there is a private vegetarian food tour, which is a welcome option in a city where many dishes contain meat or seafood. The company also runs tours in Penang and other Malaysian cities.

Tours run either as join-in small groups or as private tours, which suit families, couples and groups of friends who want to set their own pace. Book online through the website, and contact the team by WhatsApp with questions about dietary needs, allergies or the best tour for you. Meeting points vary by tour and are listed on the company's directions page, so check the details in your booking confirmation. Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes and dress for the heat.

A food tour is best done early in your stay, as it gives you the confidence to order at hawker stalls and food courts for the rest of your trip. The company has been featured by international media including National Geographic, the BBC, Lonely Planet and Time Out.