Our Story
Born in Malaysia. Raised on Street Food
What started as showing friends around Chow Kit market has become 14 years of sharing the real Malaysia, one meal at a time.
Meet Pauline
She Started by Taking Friends to the Market
Growing up in Malaysia, I spent my mornings walking through wet markets with my mom. While she haggled for the freshest fish, I watched the hawkers craft dishes that had been passed down for generations. The sizzle of char kway teow on a screaming hot wok. The aromatic clouds of curry. The careful art of folding roti canai. This was my Malaysia.
When I started bringing friends from overseas around, I realised they were missing all of it. They'd eat at air-conditioned restaurants with picture menus, never knowing that two streets away, a grandmother was making laksa the same way her mother taught her 60 years ago.
Simply Enak started in 2011 because I wanted to share what I grew up with. Not the Malaysia in guidebooks, the one I know. The night markets. The family recipes. The vendors who remember your face and your favourite dish. The real Malaysia that tourists walk past every day.
What Guides Us
Three Things We Won't Compromise On
No Scripts
Our guides are licensed professionals, but they talk to you like friends. Real stories, not rehearsed speeches. You'll get a different tour every time because you're different every time.
Slow Down
We walk. We pause. We take the time to notice things: the architecture, the smells, the sounds of the neighbourhood. A food tour shouldn't feel like a marathon.
Support Local
We focus on small, local vendors - many family-run for generations. Your tour fee goes to the heritage keepers of Malaysian food culture - the same people who've been feeding this neighbourhood for decades.
2011 - Present
14 Years of Simply Enak
From a first food walk through Chow Kit to features in National Geographic, BBC, and Lonely Planet. A few things happened along the way.
2024
BBC World Service
Pauline joins the BBC World Service to share the story behind Simply Enak.
2024
Destination Eat Drink Podcast
Simply Enak featured on the travel podcast.
2024
Best Regards From Far
Featured in a top Malaysian food guide.
2023
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice
Simply Enak awarded TripAdvisor Travellers Choice.
2020
The Yum List
Simply Enak featured on The Yum List.
2019
The Edge TV
Simply Enak featured on The Edge Malaysia television.
2018
Channel 9 Australia
Simply Enak featured on Australian television.
2018
The Food Ranger
Food YouTuber Trevor James explores KL street food with Simply Enak.
2018
5 Lost Together
Featured as a must-do food tour experience.
2017
TVNZ
Simply Enak featured on New Zealand television.
2017
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice
Simply Enak recognised as a Travellers Choice winner.
2016
BBC Sport
Simply Enak featured by BBC Sport during the KL coverage.
2016
Time Out Penang
Simply Enak featured by Time Out as a top food tour.
2016
TLC
Simply Enak featured on TLC.
2016
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice
TA award for outstanding food tour experiences.
2015
National Geographic
Simply Enak featured by National Geographic.
2015
Minority Nomad
KL food tour experience featured on the travel blog.
2015
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice
TA Travellers Choice winner for Simply Enak.
2014
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice
TA Travellers Choice award for Simply Enak.
2013
Le Guide du Routard
Simply Enak recommended in the French travel guidebook.
2013
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice
Simply Enak wins its first TA Travellers Choice award.
2012
Lonely Planet
Simply Enak recommended in Lonely Planet Malaysia guide.
2012
The Yum List
Simply Enak first review on The Yum List.
2011
Simply Enak Founded
Pauline leads her first food walk through Chow Kit market.
The Team
The People Behind the Flavours
We're a small team, all licensed with Tourism Malaysia. More importantly, we grew up eating at these same stalls. We know the vendors by name, the neighbourhoods by heart, and the stories behind every dish.
Pauline
Founder & Lead Guide
Pauline
15 Years Building Relationships
Started Simply Enak in 2011 after watching too many tourists miss the real Malaysia. Grew up walking wet markets with her mom.
Maarten
Partner
Maarten
Operations & Growth
Manages operations and business development, ensuring every aspect of Simply Enak stays true to the same standard: stalls we'd take our own families to.
Trish
Licensed Guide
Trish
Tourism Malaysia Certified
Brings warmth and deep local knowledge to every tour. A natural storyteller who makes every guest feel like family.
What Guests Say
"The Penang Heritage tour exceeded our expectations. Our guide shared amazing stories and the food was outstanding. Every dish had a story."
David Lee
USA
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