Little India (Brickfields)

Visitors can easily spend an afternoon wandering the colorful streets of Brickfields admiring exquisite fabrics used to craft traditional Indian dresses, listing to bopping Bollywood music, and sampling authentic snacks like dosa, thin pancakes made from fermented rice flour. For a more substantial meal, follow your nose to the nearest Indian restaurant or street food stall for a spicy curry.

Look Around

Authentic Indian food is very affordable in the many restaurants

Iconic colorful arches of Little India

Brightly colored decorative pots

Detailed texture of arches

Icons of Little India

Multi-level clothing and textile store

Bright garments on sale

Decorative marigold flowers are often used for weddings

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Shopping in Little India

Wide sidewalks

Colorful arches make for perfect photos

Scores of jewelry stores along the main street

Walking along the main street

Who Will Like Little India

Food Connoisseur

Eat like a local with aromatic curries, tasty snacks, and lunchtime thali sets at bargain prices. In observance of the Hindu faith, many restaurants are vegetarian only, some serving plant-based mock meats. It’s not uncommon for curries to be served on banana leaves instead of plates – why wash dishes?

Culture Buff

Observe a range of Indian traditions, from the intricate fabric and accessories that form traditional Indian dress, to colorful floral decorations used as offerings. For a glimpse into the Hindu faith, visit the Sri Kandaswamy Kovil or Sri Mahamariamman temples to admire the vibrant artwork and folklore characters.

Retail Therapist

Find a traditional sari to take home or stock up on precious gems and gold bangles at an Indian jeweler.

Insider Tips For Little India

Visit in the early evenings for the most activity. Watch the colorful buildings and street decorations illuminate with neon lights as the sun begins to set.

Video

How To Get There

Tech & Photography

Food & Drink

Dozens of Indian restaurants and street food stands are located along Jalan Tun Sambanthan and the surrounding streets.

Backstory

In 1881, a devastating fire, followed by a disastrous flood swept through Kuala Lumpur, destroying many of the area's wooden homes with thatched roofs. In response, British officials mandated that all future homes be constructed of brick and tile. Predicting an increase in demand for bricks, local businessman Yap Kwan Seng established a kiln in the district now known as Brickfields, which soon developed a reputation as the center for high quality bricks in Kuala Lumpur.

The district was also home to the main rail depot, now KL Sentral Station. To operate the rail system, British officials brought in many workers from Sri Lanka, who lived in small quarters around the depot. Before long, Indian culture was flourishing in the Brickfields district, as it still does today.

Etiquette

Scorecard

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