Markets in Kuala Lumpur: the Curve’s street market

Whether it’s unearthing a one-off antique or making a fashion find at half the price you’d expect to pay elsewhere, browsing markets can earn excellent dividends. In Kuala Lumpur, the mainstream shopping can get uninteresting fast, with many of the malls carrying the same brands and stores, over and over. For a different experience, head to one of the markets or bazaars that have cropped up across the city in recent years. Check local newspapers to nut out weekend happenings that can sprout up for a short period of time, but a few regulars have now turned into institutions: one of them takes place at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara.

Have you seen the light?

Located in the mall’s open-air pedestrian street, colourful marquees offer a wide assortment of potential gift and specialty items; it’s also a good place to pick up secondhand clothes and one-offs by aspiring designers. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00-22:00 (though the stalls begin to close shop at around 21:15), it’s been running successfully for two years. Stalls come and go as the months go by, but the Curve’s market tends to keep a steady flow of female fashion, accessories, men’s T-shirts, handbags and footwear on sale. Then there’s the occasional odd stall either selling back chair support systems or scorpions for sale as pets.

Rain or shine, get your clothes and handphone covers here.

You may be surprised at what you end up finding: the Curve has had stalls doing nail art, novelty T-shirts, picture frames, creative pop-up gift cards and three-ringgit cupcakes; there’s also usually a stall or two offering original artwork and handmade items by the artists themselves. This isn’t the place to go for antiques though. While the average shoppers are young professionals, there’s a variety of finds appropriate for both sexes and all ages.

Sunglasses seem to be a permanent feature at this weekend market.

Regardless of what you end up trawling for, the street market at the Curve makes for an interesting shopping stop. Especially pleasant are the cool evenings, when the stalls are colourfully lit and vendors offer cheaper last-minute prices.
And if you’re hungry: restaurants and cafes flank either side of the market, offering a wide range of options. For those looking for typical Malaysian food, Teh Tarik Place offers roti canai and various types of nasi (rice dishes) but Peranakan, Indonesian and Japanese restaurants are all located here too.
To get to the street market at the Curve by public transport, hop on the U88 Rapid KL bus from Central Market. Otherwise, the closest LRT stop is Kelana Jaya where you’ll have to transfer to either the U89 Rapid KL bus or take the IKANO free shuttle service. The Curve also provides a free shuttle service from Eastin Hotel and the Royale Bintang Hotel in central Kuala Lumpur. For specific times and schedule, click here.