Masjid India — named after the Indian mosque at its heart — is KL's oldest commercial district, a dense grid of streets running north from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim. The neighbourhood has been a trading centre since the late 19th century, when South Indian Muslim merchants settled here alongside Chinese and Arab traders. Today it remains the place to buy batik fabric, sarongs, songket, gold jewellery, and all the materials for a traditional Malay wedding.
The street food is excellent and cheap. Nasi kandar stalls, roti canai shops, and mamak restaurants line the side streets from early morning to well past midnight. The weekly pasar malam (night market) fills the surrounding streets on Saturday evenings with produce, clothing, and Malay snacks. Masjid India LRT station puts you right in the middle of it.