If you’re looking for a real taste of Malaysia beyond the usual tourist routes, let me take you along on my recent journey from Kota Kinabalu (BKI) to Kuantan, the charming capital of Pahang on Malaysia’s east coast.
It wasn’t my first time in Malaysia, but this trip had plenty of little surprises — from packed flights and delicious snacks to super friendly locals and peaceful beach vibes. Here’s how it went👇
🛫 Full House on AirAsia, but I Got the Best Seat (BKI → KUL)
I flew AirAsia from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur (BKI → KUL), and the flight was completely full. Luckily, I scored Seat 1D, which meant extra legroom! 🙌 Trust me, having that little extra space makes all the difference on a 2.5-hour flight.
I didn’t even need to stand up for the bathroom (and there wasn’t much of a line anyway). The curry puff on board? Honestly, so good! The biryani was just okay — but to be fair, I was already feeling pretty full since I had kopi ping (iced coffee) with curry and toast for breakfast earlier that day. Yep… two rounds of curry before noon was a bit intense, even for me 😂.
Oh, and one funny thing — I ordered coffee from the menu because the photo showed iced coffee, but it turned out to be hot coffee. No complaints though… it was actually delicious.
🚄 Easy Transfer from AirAsia Terminal 2 to Malaysia Airlines at Terminal 1
After landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) around 3:30 PM, I needed to transfer from Terminal 2 (AirAsia) to Terminal 1 (Malaysia Airlines). If you’re not familiar with KLIA yet, here’s a quick tip: the KLIA Ekspres train is super convenient for this!
I had about three hours before my next flight at 6:25 PM, and the timing worked out perfectly.
I dropped off my luggage at the check-in counter, headed straight to the lounge, and honestly… I was already feeling pretty exhausted by this point. Travel days can really take it out of you, right?
🛩️ Flying to Kuantan with Malaysia Airlines
The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan was with Malaysia Airlines. One thing that surprised me was that the boarding gate didn’t have a strict security check. There was a designated waiting area, but people could go in and out freely. Good to know if you’re using the lounge — you don’t need to rush to the gate too early.
🍽️ First Night in Kuantan: Grilled Stingray, GrabFood, and a Good Gym Session
After arriving in Kuantan, I ordered ikan pari bakar (grilled stingray) through GrabFood for dinner — highly recommend, by the way. Then I hit the hotel gym for a quick workout. Honestly, working out after a long day of travel makes such a difference. It really helped me shake off the tiredness.
🌅 Day 2 in Kuantan: Slow Morning, Local Food, and Friendly Vibes
I won’t lie… I slept in big time on the second day. Woke up around 9 AM, but didn’t actually get out of bed until almost 11 AM. Guess I needed that rest!
After a slow start, I called for a Grab to head into town, but it took a while to find a driver — life in a smaller city! If you’re used to Kuala Lumpur or Penang, just remember things can move a bit slower out here.
🍛 Trying the Famous Nasi Lemak (Even Though I’m Not a Big Fan)
Kuantan is known for nasi lemak, so I figured I should give it a shot — even though, truthfully, I’m not the biggest fan of belacan (shrimp paste). The smell isn’t really my thing 😅.
My Grab driver only spoke Malay, but he was super kind and chatty. Turns out he’s originally from Terengganu and moved to Kuantan after marrying a local. The conversation made me realize just how much I need to improve my Malay vocabulary and listening skills. Definitely added “learn more Malay words” to my to-do list.
🥥 Breakfast at Kopitiam 1970: A Nasi Lemak Win
I visited Kopitiam 1970, and wow — their nasi lemak was amazing. The sambal wasn’t too spicy or funky, just perfectly balanced. Totally different from the nasi lemak you find in Kuala Lumpur.
I also tried their roti bakar kaya (toast with coconut jam), which was… just okay. But the nasi lemak really stole the show. It made me think, “Yeah, Kuantan breakfast = nasi lemak.”
The system at this kopitiam is pretty chill — grab a seat, they bring you the menu, and once you decide, head up to the counter to order.
🏙️ Sightseeing and Kindness at the Kuantan Tower
Next stop: the famous Kuantan Tower. I bought the basic ticket, but the super friendly staff at the counter kindly gave me some great advice, and I was able to enjoy both observation decks. 🥹 People in Kuantan are honestly too nice.
The views from the tower were absolutely gorgeous, especially the natural scenery around the river.
🛴 Exploring Kuantan by E-Scooter and Discovering Beautiful Beaches
I rented a kick scooter and cruised around town, stopping by the street art alley, popping into 7-Eleven, and finally heading to Teluk Cempedak Beach — a spot a local driver once recommended to me.
The beach had red flags up, and the waves were rough, so no swimming. But the vibe was peaceful and relaxing. I ended up just sitting there for a few hours, watching the sea.
Later, I learned that this beach might have been the inspiration for Nanami’s beach scene in Jujutsu Kaisen — how cool is that?
🍨 Sweet Treat at Cendol Air Putih: The Famous Durian Cendol Stop
After enjoying the relaxing vibes at Teluk Cempedak Beach, I made my way to one of Kuantan’s most famous dessert spots: Cendol Air Putih.
Of course, when it comes to cendol, the best way to judge a shop is by trying their durian cendol — the signature dish that really shows the quality of the place. And let me tell you… it was absolutely delicious! 🤤
What really stood out was how soft and silky the cendol strands were — they literally melted in my mouth. Totally different from the firmer, chewier cendol you often find on Malaysia’s west coast. The durian pieces were also big, creamy, and super satisfying. If you’re a durian lover, this place is definitely worth the stop.
Unfortunately, there was one little downside… I found a small piece of plastic in my cup, like the kind used in packaging. I’m sure it was just an accident, but it was a bit disappointing in an otherwise perfect dessert experience. Still, I’d go back again for that amazing texture and flavor!
🛍️ Quick Stop at East Coast Mall
Before heading back to the hotel, I visited East Coast Mall, the biggest shopping center in Kuantan. To be honest, there wasn’t much I wanted to buy there, but it’s a good place for Boost juice and stocking up on groceries.
😴 End of Day 2: Sleepy but Happy
I finally called it a night around 2 AM — a long but satisfying day.
🚌 Day 3: Last Moments in Kuantan and Heading to Terengganu
I actually slept well for the first time on this trip and woke up feeling refreshed (finally!). I had arranged for late checkout at 2:30 PM, which worked out perfectly since my bus to Terengganu was scheduled afterward.
🥥 One More Nasi Lemak Before Leaving
I wanted to grab one last nasi lemak before leaving. Although I originally planned to visit a curry noodle spot called Kaw Kaw Something, I found a place called On the Way Kopitiam, famous for nasi lemak and local breakfast favorites like keropok (fish crackers).
In hindsight, I should have ordered both the nasi lemak and the keropok. But hey, next time!
The kaya toast was as good as always, but honestly, kaya toast is almost always 90% perfect anywhere you go — which makes me think, maybe it’s not the best dish to judge a place by 🤔.
🚗 Goodbye Kuantan: One Last Friendly Grab Driver
After checking out, I grabbed a ride to the bus terminal around 3:10 PM. My Grab driver this time was a former public servant who had worked in the HR department of the Malaysian government. It felt nice to finally have a chat in English after so many Malay-only conversations the past few days!
The driver mentioned how rare it is to see Japanese tourists on the east coast of Malaysia — and I believe it. I barely saw any other foreign tourists the whole time I was in Kuantan.
💖 Final Thoughts: Kuantan, You Were Lovely
Kuantan may not be as famous as Penang or Melaka, but the kindness of the people, the beautiful beaches, and the laid-back vibe totally won me over. If you’re looking to explore the real Malaysia, I highly recommend giving the east coast a try.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for my next stop: Terengganu! 🌴
✍️ Written by: A slightly curry-overloaded traveler with a love for local food and beach views.
Coming up next: Bus Adventures and Beyond: From Kuantan to Terengganu – A Travel Diary 🌟