The canonical version and where to order it.
A thick griddle pancake folded over crushed peanuts, sugar and creamed corn, or a thin crisp version snapped like a wafer. Kuala Lumpur eats it from street stalls off Petaling Street and at night markets.
Apam balik, turnover pancake in Malay, is a street sweet shared by Malay and Chinese Malaysian hawkers, called min jiang kueh in Hokkien and derived from Fujianese griddle cakes. A yeasted or baking-powder batter is poured into a heavy round pan, left to bubble and set, then filled with crushed roasted peanuts, sugar and often creamed corn or margarine before being folded in half. Stalls sell it in two styles, thick and soft or thin and crisp. In Kuala Lumpur, Ah Loh's on Jalan Hang Lekir sells it off Petaling Street.
1 editor pick for Apam balik in Kuala Lumpur, ranked by editorial score. All Kuala Lumpur signature dishes · Apam balik across every city.
Ah Loh's Apom Balik on Jalan Hang Lekir in Kuala Lumpur folds peanut and sugar apom balik pancakes in a large pan, a sweet stop just off Petaling Street.
OrderPeanut and coconut apom balik pancake
TipThe peanut pancake is the classic, but the coconut and pandan versions are worth trying at about RM1.50 a piece.
Apam balik makes more sense with someone from Kuala Lumpur explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Immerse yourself in Malaysian culture with a cooking class in a local home. Visit a market, learn to cook classic dishes, and enjoy the meal you've prepared with your host.
5 hours
Explore a bustling morning market and discover the secrets of Malaysian cuisine. Cook a three-course meal in a local chef’s home and enjoy a shared lunch.
Private tour · 12 hours
Explore Taman Negara, one of the world’s oldest rainforests, with jungle walks, river activities, and nature experiences on a full-day adventure.
