Exploring Malaysia 
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The cuisine of Kedah uses a combination of spices, herbs and other fresh ingredients. As with most of Malaysia, Rice is a staple. In Kedah the ‘pulut’ or steamed glutinous variety is more popular and is usually accompanied by fruits such as mango, durian or banana. It is also taken in other forms, which include ‘pulut sambal’, ‘pulut inti’, and ‘tapai pulut’. ‘Nasi ulam’ is another local favourite where rice is served with a variety of fresh vegetables and spices. Traditional local dishes include ‘gulai nangka’ - a spicy dish of jackfruit, ‘sayur keladi’ and ‘pekasam’.
In Kuala Kedah you can savour the local ‘Laksa kuala kedah’ a dish of rice vermicelli, fresh cucumbers and onions served in spicy fish gravy while at the Pantai Murni Esplanade you find a wide-range of local foods particularly fresh seafood. Pekan Rabu in Alor Setar is the best place for delicacies such as baulu(a traditional steamed cake) and dodol (dessert traditionally made using coconut or durians).
Shopping
Pekan Rabu
Pekan Rabu (Wednesday Market) is a famed shopping destination in Kedah. While its name originated due to it being held solely on Wednesdays, these days it is open everyday. Located at Jalan Tunku Ibrahim, the stalls offer lots of variety from fresh farm products to local handicrafts and delicacies.
Bukit Kayu Hitam
Another favourite shopping destination is Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah’s northernmost border town. The duty-free shopping plaza housed in a modern three-storey building offers a wealth of selections and even dining opportunities.
Nightlife
Nighlife in Alor Star is quite quiet and wholesome. While there are a number of pubs, bars and clubs in the city areas most locals prefer to patronise the hawker centres which provide cheap and good food and, of course, live telecast of football matches.
