Walkabout │ MASJID INDIA to DATARAN MERDEKA

Getting Back Into the Rhythm

It had been more than a year since we last went on a proper walkabout. Before “the situation,” we used to average 5 km a day, walking to Lake Gardens and back as part of our daily routine. Those were simpler times — and we’ve missed them dearly.

So today felt special. It was time to stretch our legs again.

The Route We Almost Forgot

Starting out from home, we walked the entire length of the route to Dataran Merdeka and back. We honestly didn’t realise how scenic the journey was. Perhaps we had forgotten, or perhaps we had never paid enough attention before.

This time, with fresh eyes and a slower pace, we managed to capture most of the sights in and around the places we passed — the old buildings, the quiet corners, the city’s little details that only reveal themselves when you’re on foot.

Rediscovering the City

What began as a simple walk turned into a rediscovery of Kuala Lumpur. After more than a year of limited movement, the familiar streets felt new again. And it reminded us why we love going on walkabouts in the first place.

Sometimes, all you need is a long walk to remember where you are — and how far you’ve come.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Locations:

Jalan Masjid India - https://goo.gl/maps/mJtaCC6SwSWf4a8R8

Restoran Jai Hind - https://goo.gl/maps/QSS87yXoKh8qpp8n7

Masjid Jamek of Kuala Lumpur - https://goo.gl/maps/dWWWYYMdYD5cLY8MA

Medan Pasar Clock Tower - https://goo.gl/maps/Se7ZEezvCBkmbCCL6

Victoria Fountain - https://goo.gl/maps/9iyhsyxLKrQhekXW6

Sultan Abdul Samad Building - https://goo.gl/maps/vjS3eU4YN4NSoFWS8

Merdeka Square - https://g.page/dataran-merdeka-kuala-lumpur?share

Leboh Ampang - https://goo.gl/maps/Xj9sASsKWLbXyHgW6

Permanently Closed │ HAMRO Nepali Restaurant

Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone

Today, we decided to step out of our comfort zone and try something relatively new. After watching quite a few travel blogs, we began wondering if there were any Nepali restaurants here in Kuala Lumpur. A quick online search later and — presto — we found a whole cluster of Nepali eateries in and around the Medan Pasar area.

A False Start, Then a Pleasant Surprise

Truth be told, we first tried Mandala Restaurant next door, but they declined to be filmed. Their loss became Hamro’s gain.

A Hidden Gem in an Unexpected Place

Hamro Nepali Restaurant was tucked inside Unique Fashion Collection Sdn Bhd, occupying a small corner on the right side of the shop. It was the kind of place you might walk past without noticing — but once you stepped in, the warmth and hospitality made you feel instantly welcome.

A big thank you to Dipendra and Rabitha for having us.

And yes — we meant it when we said we would definitely come again.

A Fond Farewell

Sadly, Hamro Nepali Restaurant has since closed down permanently. It’s always bittersweet when a small, heartfelt place like this disappears, especially one that introduced us to Nepali cuisine with such sincerity.

Update: Dipendra has moved to another premise nearby, and renamed it Mechimakali Restaurant.

Remembering a Lovely First Taste

Trying Nepali food for the first time at Hamro felt like a small adventure, and it remains a memorable chapter in our walkabout journey. Some discoveries stay with you long after the doors have closed.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Hamro Nepali Restaurant - https://goo.gl/maps/pdHVwt2Qrouw4Fwa6

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Sunday Walkabout │ SUNGAI WANG Plaza

A Busy Day in Sungei Wang

We were in Sungei Wang Plaza to run a few errands, while our son had an appointment with his usual hair stylist. It was good to see the mall bustling with activity despite the ongoing “situation.” We always try to do our part to support local businesses, but above all, we make sure to stay safe.

It was reassuring to see everyone observing the SOPs. It made the whole experience feel calmer and more comfortable.

AJ Sense Salon — Our Trusted Family Salon

AJ SENSE SALON is a place our family has been visiting for many years, going all the way back to when it was still known as Hair Republic. The rates have always been very reasonable, and the staff are courteous, skilled, and consistent. It’s no wonder we keep coming back.

Update: This salonly has since closed down permanently.

Eye Smart Vision — Our Go To for Glasses

Another favourite of ours is Eye Smart Vision Enterprise, where we’ve been doing our glasses at least once a year. Young and energetic, Jimmy never fails to impress us with his charm and excellent customer service. It’s rare to find someone who makes the whole process feel effortless — and he does it every time.

A Simple, Satisfying Outing

All in all, it was a productive day at Sungei Wang Plaza. Familiar faces, reliable service, and a mall that still feels alive — small things that matter a lot these days.

Stay safe, and support local whenever you can.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Locations:

Sungei Wang Plaza - https://g.page/sungeiwangplaza?share

AJ SENSE SALON - https://g.page/AJSENSE-my?share

Eye Smart Vision Enterprise - https://goo.gl/maps/M9uiu55cUJt6ZDjp7

Sunday Walkabout │ VINH CITY Vietnam Cuisine

Back at Sungei Wang

We were in Sungei Wang Plaza to run a few errands — but more on that in the next blog. Before getting anything done, our stomachs led the way to one of our long time favourites.

A Restaurant We Keep Returning To

Vinh City Vietnam Cuisine has been a firm favourite of ours for many years. The food is comforting, consistent, and always hits the spot. Whenever we’re in the area, it’s almost impossible not to stop by.

Our Recommendation

If you’re ever in Sungei Wang Plaza and craving something warm, flavourful, and satisfying, we definitely recommend giving Vinh City a try.

Sometimes, the best part of running errands is the meal in between.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Locations:

Sungei Wang Plaza - https://g.page/sungeiwangplaza?share

Vinh City Restoran Vietnam Cuisine - https://goo.gl/maps/JJ5FaZpTXBHV3UWn7

Weekend Eats │ JOE WONG Bak Kut Teh

The First Weekend of Ramadan

It was the first weekend of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, and we ventured out to see if we could grab a bite to eat. Most eateries were expected to be closed until early evening, so we weren’t sure what we would find.

Our Default Bak Kut Teh Spot

Thankfully, Joe Wong Bak Kut Teh — our default Bak Kut Teh place for many years — was open. This has always been one of our most trusted spots, and we highly recommend it to anyone craving a comforting bowl of herbal goodness.

What Is Bak Kut Teh?

For those unfamiliar with the dish, Bak Kut Teh is a Chinese soup that literally means “meat bone tea.” Despite the name, there is no tea in the soup itself.

At its simplest, it consists of meaty pork ribs simmered for hours in a complex broth of herbs and spices such as star anise, cinnamon, cloves, dang gui, fennel seeds, and garlic. Some versions include offal, mushrooms, choy sum, dried tofu, or fried tofu puffs. Additional Chinese herbs like yu zhu (rhizome of Solomon’s Seal) and ju zhi (buckthorn fruit) may be added to give the broth a sweeter, slightly stronger flavour.

Light and dark soy sauce are used during cooking, and the dish is usually garnished with chopped coriander or green onions, plus a sprinkling of fried shallots. It is almost always enjoyed with rice.

A Simple Meal, A Familiar Comfort

On a quiet Ramadan afternoon, this warm, fragrant bowl of Bak Kut Teh was exactly what we needed. Some traditions never fail to comfort — and Joe Wong remains one of ours.

Stay safe, and enjoy your meals wherever you are.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Joe Wong Bak Kut Teh - https://goo.gl/maps/iMrz2fkTryDjsUrt8

Walkabout │ BERJAYA TImes Square

Mission Accomplished

The hunt is over! After searching high and low, we finally got our hands on the Zhiyun Tech CRANE M2 3 Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer — and at an absolute bargain too. Nothing beats the feeling of tracking down the exact gear you’ve been eyeing for ages.

A Big Shout Out

Huge thanks to Altech Camera at Level 6, Berjaya Times Square. They’ve come through for us time and time again, and this was no exception.

Ready for Smoother Shots

With the CRANE M2 in our kit, we’re excited to take our videos to the next level. Here’s to steadier footage and many more walkabouts ahead.

Stay tuned — the adventures continue.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Locations:

Berjaya Times Square - https://goo.gl/maps/hRyycrP5yPP4HKPN6

Altech Camera - https://goo.gl/maps/pxdMAVugPsipSJnSA

Walkabout │ PUDU PLAZA

Back to One of KL’s Oldest Malls

Pudu Plaza! 

Spurred on by our first video, we went gimbal hunting to minimise camera shake and improve our footage. It felt fitting to return to Pudu Plaza, one of the oldest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur — a place that has seen countless trends come and go, yet still holds its own charm.

Our Favourite Camera Spot

Inside the mall sits YL Camera, one of our favourite retailers for cameras and accessories. Over the years, they’ve become a reliable stop whenever we need gear, advice, or just a quick browse to see what’s new.

The Thrill of the Hunt

Armed with curiosity (and a bit of excitement), we explored the shops and compared options, hoping to find the perfect stabiliser for our walkabout adventures. Whether we succeeded or not… well, that’s a story for the next video.

Sometimes, the hunt is half the fun — especially in a place as nostalgic as Pudu Plaza.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Locations:

Pudu Plaza - https://goo.gl/maps/MRqtJocWeqxbTTBA8

Restoran 68 Mixed Rice - https://goo.gl/maps/ThKjF6FBv8BffK6YA

1st YouTube Video │ Midnight Rain... We Begin Again!

After a Very Long Break

It had truly been an awfully long while since our last blog. In that time, we experienced the ebb and flow of the pandemic, and it had been one heck of a roller coaster ride. Life changed, routines shifted, and before we knew it, months had passed.

Dreaming of Travel and Vlogging

During that period, we found ourselves watching many travel vloggers online. We were very envious of those who managed to turn travelling into a full time profession, and we quietly dreamed of doing the same one day. Vlogging has long replaced the traditional blog as the main way travellers communicate with their audience, and we felt inspired to give it a try.

Camera Shy Beginnings

To be perfectly honest, we are painfully camera shy. So for now, we will probably start our vlogging attempts without showing our faces or using our voices. Instead, we will focus on the food or the destination, letting the visuals do the talking. A simple caption underneath each clip will be our way of communicating with our viewers.

Making Do With What We Have

We already have several cameras — though not all are ideal for vlogging — and we hope to invest in more suitable equipment in time. But for now, we will simply make do with what we have. Every journey has to start somewhere.

A Rainy First Step

So, what better way to begin our attempt at vlogging than to showcase what was right in front of us?

It was a warm and humid night, and the sudden rain was a very pleasant surprise. We’ve always loved rainy evenings — the cool air, the sound of raindrops, the reflections on the pavement. It felt like the perfect moment to film our very first YouTube video.

This was also our first time shooting in Cinelike D (LOG file) and our first attempt at colour correcting. There is still so much to learn, but at least it was a start.

The Beginning of Something New

It may be a simple video, but it marks the beginning of our vlogging journey. Rain, experiments, mistakes, and all — we’re excited to see where this leads.

Here’s to new beginnings, and to many more videos ahead.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)