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A brief stop in Kota Bharu

May 4, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 9 Comments

CITY DISCOVERY

Kota Bharu, Malaysia

It’s approaching sunset here in Kota Bharu but it’s not the light playing tricks. My rice really is blue.

I’m at the night market, just a ten minute walk from the centre of town, in a gravelled square that I suspect is used as a car park during the day.

There is a great collection of Malaysian food stalls here and I’m hungry after a long day of travelling from George Town.

I ask someone what the local specialty is and I’m pointed to a stall selling ‘nasi kerabu’. I order one serving and am presented with the rice – a dark rich blue – on a sheet of brown paper, along with some accompaniments.

nasi kerabu, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

The rice of nasi kerabu gets its blue colour from the flower petals of a plant called ‘Blue Butterfly Pea’. On top of it come prawn crackers, a little salad with bean sprouts and spring onions, and (in this case) a chicken skewer.

It’s delicious but I’m still hungry when I finish. It’s a good opportunity to try another local specialty that I have been recommended. So I ask around to see who is selling ‘ayam percik’.

ayam percik, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Again, it’s served to be wrapped in brown paper.

Ayam percik is grilled chicken that is then smothered in a delicious coconut and peanut sauce that’s mixed with local herbs. It would probably make sense to sit down and try to eat it with some cutlery, but I just pull it from the paper as I walk around and look at the action in the market.

Things to see in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

I don’t have long here in Kota Bharu. It’s really just a transit spot for me on my way to the Perhentian Islands. But I want to make sure I give myself enough time to look around a city that, despite not really being on the tourist trail, I’m convinced must have some appeal.

After finding a hotel in Kota Bharu, I set out in the afternoon to have a look around.

Things to see in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

The first thing you always hear about Kota Bharu is how religious it is. It is the capital of the state of Kelantan, in the north east of Malaysia.

Kelantan is one of the least multicultural parts of the country. About 95 per cent of the population are ethnic Malays and most of them are practicing Muslims.

Things to see in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

What is most relevant, though, is how religiously-conservative the state government here is. It has consistently take a hardline view on Islamic law, with cinemas banned, separate queues for men and women at supermarkets, and caning as a punishment for breaches of sharia law.

In my short time here, though, it’s not something I really notice. Nothing seems that different to most of the other parts of Malaysia that I have seen so far.

To be fair, I am not trying to find a nightclub or even buy a beer at a restaurant. But, for a tourist briefly passing through, who is happy to respect that there are different customs here, the politics should barely register.

Things to see in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

So I spend the afternoon having a look around the main sights in the centre of town. It doesn’t take too long to do a loop down to the river and back, which takes me past most of them.

Things to see in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

There’s the Royal Palace and, around it, several museums. A large gate marks the intersection with a formal park down to the water, and nearby is a large mosque.

Other than these official buildings in this section, much of the city is quite ordinary.

Things to see in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

I think the highlight of the things to see in Kota Bharu is certainly the main market, called Pasar Besar.

Pasar Besar, Kota Bharu

I go in the morning before I catch the bus to head south. The building is octagonal-shaped with a large central area that reaches up to the ceiling. The different levels around the edges look down into this space.

Pasar Besar market, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Pasar Besar market, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

The market is busy and the sounds and smells fill the spaces. As I wander around, I am constantly coming across little slices of action as vendors prepare for the day and the morning shoppers haggle for the best food at the best price.

Pasar Besar market, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

As you can hopefully see from these photos, it’s not just the architecture and layout of the building that is aesthetically-pleasing, but also the vibrancy of the industry.

Pasar Besar market, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Pasar Besar market, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

There are good reasons why Kota Bharu does not come up regularly when you are looking for recommendations of things to do in Malaysia. But they have nothing to do with the politics and the religion here.

It’s simply that there is not quite enough to do to warrant the time and effort to get here.

Pasar Besar market, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

However, if you are going to be passing through like me, then I do encourage you to stop and have a look around. The markets show you a slice of life here that is much more monocultural than most of Malaysia, and that is a sight in itself.

Malaysia Travel Guide

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MALAYSIA?

To help you plan your trip to Malaysia:

  • Visiting the famous Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur
  • A guide for exploring the heritage of George Town in Penang
  • Finding the best street art in George Town
  • The best food to try in Penang
  • Why the Perhentian Islands are the ultimate getaway!
  • Exploring the jungles and beaches of Tioman Island
  • Tips for hiking the tea fields in the Cameron Highlands
  • The hipster trend in the city of Ipoh
  • Exploring the best sites in Kuala Kangsar
  • What to expect in the Muslim heartland of Kota Bharu

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a tour of Malaysia, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours of Malaysia.

You could consider:

  • Western Borneo Experience (8 days)
  • Best of Borneo – National Geographic (12 days)
  • Experience Borneo (14 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Marta Cunha Grilo |

    February 20, 2018 at 10:32 am

    Reply

    I love the way you started your post. It easily convince me to scroll down and read everything else! Looking forward to eat that blue rice one day. That dish looked delish!!

  2. Eloise |

    February 21, 2018 at 12:15 am

    Reply

    Blue rice! That’s original! I love that you still took time to visit the place although it isn’t a popular tourist attraction. It was a pleasure to look at your authentic photos, especially of the market. I didn’t know a part of Malaysia was very religiously-conservative; would it impact a woman travelling there?

  3. candy |

    February 21, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Reply

    I love Ayam percik! I never actually had it in Malaysia, but I had a chance to eat it when I was living in Singapore. I also have never seen blue rice. Were you able to smell the fragrance of the flower that the color comes from?

  4. Paige |

    February 21, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    Reply

    What a beautiful stop in Kota Bharu. I took a cooking class in Thailand where we dyed noodles blue with the same plant! that’s so interesting. I love that you were able to make a great trip out of a short stop.

  5. Claire |

    February 21, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    Reply

    I’ve never heard of Kota Bharu, but as you say it’s not on the usual tourist trail so I’m not surprised. I haven’t been anywhere that strictly segregated before so I’m not sure as a solo female whether it would even be possible or recommended to go there. That market is buzzing though, and the chicken in coconut and peanut sauce sounds amazing!

    • Dean |

      June 28, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      Reply

      You are most welcome to come to Kota Bharu and experience the unique Malay culture here.

      You may refer to other blogs such as https://iwandered.net/why-you-should-visit-kota-bharu-in-kelantan/

  6. Danial |

    February 22, 2018 at 2:57 am

    Reply

    When it comes to unique regional Malaysian cuisine, Kelantan is underrated and waiting to be discovered. Hope you’d come back to Kota Bharu with an adventurous palate!

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 14, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      Reply

      Thank you very much! I enjoyed what I tasted last time but I could definitely spend a bit more time in Kota Bharu and try even more dishes. There are some fantastic things to eat in the city!!

  7. Abi |

    February 23, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    Reply

    This is a great way to show life from different sides! You have a relly great photos and i can`t stop looking to them!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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