Lalaport Bukit Bintang Guide: 20 Things to See, Do, & Eat

The first Lalaport in Southeast Asia officially opened in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang district at the beginning of 2022. Having the title of “Japan’s favourite shopping mall,” Lalaport features a futuristic design and comprises a lot of Japanese stores and restaurants that you don’t usually see at other shopping centres in Malaysia.

Without further ado, let’s dive into what is there to see, do, and eat at Lalaport Bukit Bintang which will certainly add joy to your KL trip!

Fun fact: Lalaport is located at Bukit Bintang City Centre. The location used to be Pudu Prison, also known as Pudu Jail, and was later renovated into this new mall. Due to Pudu Prison being a historical landmark, its gate was refurbished and retained at the front of Bukit Bintang City Centre.

Also read: 18 Gorgeous Airbnbs in Kuala Lumpur You’ll Want to Live In

Things to do at Lalaport Bukit Bintang

1. Snap a photo at the Grand Steps

The first thing you see when you enter Lalaport is the large glass exterior, and then a staircase next to it where you can walk all the way up to the fourth floor (the rooftop). The staircase is known for its illuminating LED lights. While they are on throughout the day, they are at their brightest at night! 

The LED projection will also change according to different occasions. Named the Grand Steps, this staircase has been a hot spot for photo taking since the opening of Lalaport, where many avid photographers come to take Instagrammable photos for their feed! 

2. Enjoy the view at the Central Rooftop Garden

After walking up to the fourth floor, you will see a lovely open garden called the Central Rooftop Garden. The area features a scenic view of the sky and notable buildings in the city like KL Tower and Merdeka 118. You can come here for a little picnic date while admiring the stunning view. 

TripZilla Tip: If you come in the evening, you can catch a gorgeous sunset view!

Exciting events take place frequently at the Central Rooftop Garden, such as the recent Singles’ Market that was held during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the vibrant Bon Odori Festival. We also participated in the Pingmin Countdown Market last year, and it was a pretty enjoyable experience!

Note: The Central Rooftop Garden is sometimes closed to prepare for upcoming special events such as the aforementioned ones. 

3. Try out the fun electric go-kart

Also situated in the rooftop garden is LaLaspeed E-Kart Raceway which offers an exhilarating karting experience. The go-karts here are powered by electric motors and batteries, and the price for one round is approximately RM68 (~S$19.52). Open until 10pm and featuring a nice view of the KL skyline, it is without a doubt one of the most exciting things to do in Lalaport Bukit Bintang. 

What’s better? This place is family-friendly, even one-year-old kids can come and join the fun (with parental guidance, of course)! 

4. Be amazed by the futuristic design of the WOW Plaza

Probably the most iconic part of Lalaport, the WOW Plaza is a semi-open space located at the W Entrance. There is a huge wooden “W” sign in front of the four-storey mall as well as the Lalaport trademark, perfect for pictures to show that you’ve been to the mall. 

WOW Plaza is located on Gourmet Street (we’ll get to that later), and there is an oval bench where you can lay on. Occasionally, you can even find YouTubers or Tiktokers filming there. Sometimes, you might even catch some street dance competitions!  

If your main purpose is to sample good food in Lalaport, then you probably won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of food choices to choose from on Gourmet Street, as well as inside the mall. 

5. Shop for Japanese-style furniture at Nitori

Nitori, the largest furniture and home furnishing chain in Japan has also landed in Lalaport Bukit Bintang. With more than 450 stores worldwide, this store offers a wide range of home furniture, including sofas, bedding, dining furniture, coffee tables, wardrobes and other home decorations.

Being a famous brand, we are surprised to find that their furniture pieces are not very expensive. The designs are also simple and modern, which best suits the younger generation. 

6. Elevate your electrics shopping experience at Nojima

Similar to Nitori, Nojima is another well-known Japanese household brand specialising in electronics. The first Nojima flagship store in Malaysia is right here in Lalaport Bukit Bintang, offering electrical home appliances, electronic items, digital gadgets, furniture, and more. 

Besides that, Nojima also provides personal consultation services catered to your enquiries. If you are looking for quality home appliances and good service, then this place is the one for you.

Also read: Guide to Shopping Malls in Bangalore, India

7. Watch a movie at the “prettiest cinema in town”

At the end of July 2023, Lalaport Bukit Bintang finally welcomed its own Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) theatre. This cinema truly stands out because it’s regarded as the “prettiest cinema in town” by GSC itself. It boasts 12 cinema halls which include KL’s first-ever 4DX hall, and the Happy Food Co. cafe where you can indulge in yummy milkshakes, snacks, and cakes. 

But that’s not all. The cinema is also home to meticulously built social spaces and washrooms, which are perfect for your Instagram photos!

8. Have fun skating in Rollerwa+

How about a fun day roller-skating in Lalaport? If that sounds like your jam, head over to Rollerwa+ on Level 4 of the shopping mall. FYI, this indoor roller-skating rink brand originates from South Korea. Therefore, the Rollerwa+ outlet in KL not only showcases a Korean theme, but also has famous Korean pop songs playing while you skate. 

Visitors can relish skating with the old-school quad roller skates, or even just grab a cup of coffee or some snacks while chilling in the complex’s cosy resting space. The rates are RM60 (~S$17.23) for a two-hour skating session and RM90 (~S$25.84) for a full-day pass. 

9. Catch a show at Zepp Kuala Lumpur

Zepp Kuala Lumpur, aka Zepp KL, is located on the same premise as Lalaport Bukit Bintang. It’s a venue that hosts music tours and live performances from time to time. Having attended a live music show by Irish rock band Kodaline here, we would say that the venue is both huge and comfortable. Within a short walk from WOW Plaza, it’s also quite convenient, as you can catch a performance right after shopping and eating.

Also read: 10 Restaurants in KL & Selangor to Fix Your Indonesian Food Cravings

Bonus: Lalaport’s toilets

Well, this might seem a bit weird… but you have to see the toilets here at least once! Each toilet seat is paired with a bidet, more typically called a washlet. After using the toilet, you can choose the pressure and position of the oscillator, as well as the temperature of the water for cleaning. 

On top of that, you can control the heat of the seat and there is even a dryer function. We find this really cool. This type of modern toilet is quite common in Japan but not in Malaysia, so seeing it in Lalaport Bukit Bintang is indeed eye-opening! 

Where to eat at Lalaport Bukit Bintang

10. Shabu-Yo

Want to get a taste of authentic Japanese food? Head on to Shabu-yo on Gourmet Street. They serve delicious Japanese shabu-shabu and sukiyaki buffets starting from only RM39.90 (~S$12.36 ) per person. Other than vegetables, pork, and chicken, you can also stuff yourself with unlimited Australian wagyu beef! 

Besides that, they also have machines where you can make your own waffles, ice cream, and shaved ice for free! Meanwhile, over on the ala carte menu, you can order Japanese curry rice and chicken karaage as well! 

TripZilla Tip: Do note that if you are coming with someone, both of you have to order the same buffet set to dine together at the same table!

11. Matcha Eight

Matcha Eight is an ice cream shop that you will definitely come back to again and again for its premium ice cream! Sourcing its tea all the way from Wazuka in Kyoto, this premium Japanese tea ice cream brand serves possibly the best tea-flavoured ice cream in Malaysia. 

Unlike other ice cream brands, you get to choose how concentrated you want the tea flavour to be, as well as the sweetness and bitterness of the ice cream. They have two levels (of concentration) of green tea ice cream, four levels of matcha ice cream, and two levels of hojicha flavour. We highly recommend the hojicha flavour because the taste is unique and fragrant, and if you love it like we do, you can even order pints of the ice cream from its online store!

Note: Did you know that green tea and matcha are different? They are basically from the same plant, but matcha is the more concentrated and pulverised version of green tea leaves!

12. Lalapop

Lalapop in Lalaport is an award-winning frozen ice cream store that specializes in alcohol-infused ice cream. For alcohol lovers, you absolutely do not want to miss this because their ice cream has indeed a very strong alcoholic taste. 

We recommend the Rum and Fat Raisin, Matcha Sake, and Notti Pecan flavours if you want to “surprise” your taste buds! They also serve non-alcoholic ice cream, all being freshly made every day. What’s more, the pink, retro-style interior also makes it a good place for photos!

13. Osaka Kitchen

Want an authentic Japanese dining experience? Look no further! A traditional teppanyaki-style eatery serving signature Osaka dishes, Osaka Kitchen in Lalaport has become one of our favourite go-to restaurants for dinner. Operated by two head chefs from Japan, the most favoured dishes here are okonomiyaki and yakisoba. 

However, our personal favourite is the beef set meal which comes with various side dishes, rice, and miso soup. The price is around RM35 (~S$10), and did we mention that the portion is huge enough for two? Don’t miss this place out if you’re food hunting around Lalaport Bukit Bintang!

14. Mc.Qanteens Tearoom

Another one of the restaurants worth trying is Mc.Qanteens Tearoom, also on Gourmet Street. We stumbled upon this restaurant when looking for a dinner place in Lalaport the other day, and were intrigued by its affordable dinner set that includes a main course, a drink, and a small cup of ice cream. 

You’ll be greeted by dreamy and charming decor the moment you walk in, making you feel like a princess dining in a European tea house. When it comes to the main course, we suggest trying the Crispy 1000 Island Chicken Burger and their Fish & Chips. They’re both delectable and filling!

15. Lol Soon Kee Dessert

Lol Soon Kee Desserts spans more than ten outlets nationwide, making it one of the most popular dessert places in Malaysia. The shop specialises in traditional Chinese tong sui (sweet soup or custard which normally includes nuts, sago, or coconut milk), as well as shaved ice. Some of the most beloved desserts here are peanut paste soup, black sesame soup, and bubur cha cha. 

Aside from desserts, there are also dishes such as pork chop rice and polo buns. Its outlet in Lalaport Bukit Bintang is almost always a full house whenever we pass by, so now you know how good is the food and sweet treats here!

16. Sushi Yoshi Omakase

While you are here at Lalaport, don’t miss out on a classic, personal dining experience at Sushi Yoshi Omakase. From RM298 (~S$92.31), you get to enjoy the special omakase crafted by professional chefs. 

The menu set depends on the type of omakase you choose, but the basic omakase here generally includes an appetizer (three types); seasonal sashimi (three types); seasonal dish; steamed dish; special sushi (seven pieces); soup; and dessert. 

Note: Omakase essentially means “respectfully leaving it to the chef to decide what is best” in Japanese. As you might expect, omakase is a dining experience based on that concept. 

17. Kosa Coffee

Love a quiet cafe date or are looking for somewhere relaxing to work remotely at Lalaport Bukit Bintang? We recommend checking out Kosa Coffee, a Vietnamese coffee chain located on the second floor. 

Unlike the Japanese stores, Kosa Coffee serves Malaysian and Vietnamese-style coffee drinks, along with English and European drinks and baked goods. We genuinely love the comfy and peaceful atmosphere of this cafe above all else, thanks to its spacious and comfortable interior. 

18. K-Wing

If you like K-pop and Korean culture, then you must have a soft spot for Korean food as well. There is a Korean restaurant and bar at Lalaport Bukit Bintang called K-Wing along Gourmet Street. It serves popular food like Korean fried chicken, spicy Korean ramen, and Korean fishcakes (odeng).

Furthermore, they also serve dishes that cater to the taste of Malaysians, such as nasi lemak, curry chicken, cheesy burgers, and more. Currently, there is also a lunch set promotion that starts from only RM19.90 (~S$6.16).

19. Garden Dining

Thanks to its captivating design that makes it stand out from most other food courts in Malaysia, you probably won’t believe that Garden Dining is actually the food court of Lalaport Bukit Bintang. It even has a well-decorated spot for kids to play, and children-friendly workshops are held here from time to time. 

This beautiful food court comprises brands from different countries, especially Japan and Malaysia. These include Nam Heong Chicken Rice, Taste by Bert, Loong Kee Hokkien Mee, and the famous Japanese coffee and retail brand, DOUTOR. 

TripZilla Tip: We recommend coming before 8pm before they run out of some of the more popular dishes! 

20. Coo & Riku Pet Shop

When Lalaport Bukit Bintang was first opened, its Coo & RIKU Pet Shop was quite hyped as it is Japan’s largest pet shop chain. It is also one of the biggest pet stores in Malaysia that sells all sorts of pet goods, as well as different pet breeds. 

Other than pet products, there is also an adjoining Cat Cafe inside the shop. You can take as many pictures as possible as there are many photogenic spots at the cafe. What’s more lovely is that you get to play with around 30 cats of different breeds. We don’t think anyone can ever resist the cuteness of cats and kittens!

Also read: 10 Best Pet Cafes in Kuala Lumpur to Chill and Play With Animals

What else to expect at Lalaport Bukit Bintang

As for those who love taking nice pictures, almost everywhere inside the mall is dazzling. Thus, you will undoubtedly satisfy your photography needs here. 

Of course, there are still many other stores and restaurants in Lalaport Bukit Bintang that are worthy of a visit, like Monet, Yakiniku Sizzle, the Metrojaya department store, and more. As Lalaport is relatively new compared to the other malls in KL, some areas in the mall are still quite vacant. We certainly look forward to even more stores and fun facilities being open here soon! 

Also read: 10 Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur Where You Can Enjoy Stunning Views From the Top

So the next time you’re in Kuala Lumpur, make sure not to miss this iconic Japanese mall to add joy while you do your shopping in Malaysia! And make sure to bring a big appetite and an extra bag, because we’re sure you won’t leave empty-handed!