A brief stop in Kota Bharu

You might think there aren’t many things to see in Kota Bharu, but this Malaysian city is more than just a transit point.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

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Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Itā€™s approaching sunset here in Kota Bharu but itā€™s not the light playing tricks. My rice really is blue.

Iā€™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 Iā€™m hungry after a long day of travelling from George Town.

I ask someone what the local specialty is and Iā€™m pointed to a stall selling ā€˜nasi kerabuā€™. 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 ā€˜Blue Butterfly Peaā€™. On top of it come prawn crackers, a little salad with bean sprouts and spring onions, and (in this case) a chicken skewer.

Itā€™s delicious but Iā€™m still hungry when I finish. Itā€™s a good opportunity to try another local specialty that I have been recommended. So I ask around to see who is selling ā€˜ayam percikā€™.

ayam percik, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Again, itā€™s served to be wrapped in brown paper.

Ayam percik is grilled chicken that is then smothered in a delicious coconut and peanut sauce thatā€™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 donā€™t have long here in Kota Bharu. Itā€™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, Iā€™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, itā€™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 doesnā€™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

Thereā€™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, itā€™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.

Itā€™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.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN KOTA BHARU

The centre of town will be the most convenient and give you the most options for good places to stay in Kota Bharu.

BUDGET

Basic but comfortable,Ā Impiana Bajet InnĀ is conveniently located near the main market.

APARTMENT

With great city views,Ā Troika Kota Bharu by Salaam SuitesĀ is a condo hotel blending modernity and sustainability.Ā 

BOUTIQUE

Along with a swimming pool and fitness centre,Ā H Elite Design HotelĀ is also family-friendly, making it a great choice for all travellers.

LUXURY

Conveniently located, theĀ Perdana Kota BharuĀ has an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and exceptional dining options.

12 thoughts on “A brief stop in Kota Bharu”

  1. 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?

    Reply
  2. 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?

    Reply
  3. 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.

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  4. 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!

    Reply
  5. 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!

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