Asia's first durian experience center opens in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR — Durian fever reached new heights with the official launch of the Kuala Lumpur Durian Experience Centre, or KLDEX, on July 4, held alongside the Malaysia Durian Festival 2026.

Located along Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur, KLDEX is Asia's first integrated durian experience center.

Developed by MyBolehBoleh with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, the center is set to elevate Malaysia's iconic durian industry while strengthening the country's position as a premier culinary and tourism destination.

Spanning 1,900 square meters, KLDEX brings together a durian museum, immersive theater, food and beverage outlets, interactive workshops and cultural storytelling under one roof.

Durian tasting sessions are also included in the program, but registration is required ahead of time.

The center offers a journey into the world of durian, exploring its history, cultivation, scientific advancements and innovations. The museum is open daily from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm and operates on a ticketed basis.

Visitors can journey through historical archives and interactive exhibits before heading to the center's theater, which stages four performances daily.

The original production follows the story of two rival durian traders whose spirited competition eventually gives way to friendship, weaving together rap, humor and references to Malaysia's many prized durian varieties in a lively celebration of the fruit's heritage and culture.

KLDEX, cofounded by Ang Kean Wee and Edison Ang Wei Phang and curated by Enzo Sim, is designed as a family-friendly destination celebrating Malaysia's iconic "King of Fruits".

As an educational hub, the museum features a diverse collection of manuscripts documenting observations by medieval European and Chinese seafarers, a replica of a working durian plantation, and a range of interactive exhibits.

Together, they uncover the lesser-known stories behind Malaysia's iconic durian varieties and trace the evolution of the country's durian plantation industry, now a significant contributor to Malaysia's agricultural exports.

Sim, chief museum curator, at the opening of KLDEX, said: "The curation of Malaysia's durian heritage presents challenges, as much of it is rooted in oral history and limited documentation, requiring careful cross-verification of sources.

"However, early accounts — such as Admiral Zheng He's encounter with durian during his 15th-century visit to Melaka, as well as records from European explorers in the Malay Archipelago — are well documented in historical archives and manuscripts."

Beyond its historical narratives, the museum features a "durian orchard experience" zone that introduces orchard ecosystems and local cultivation methods, highlighting the network of farmers, exporters, and tourism stakeholders who have contributed to the fruit's global reach.

"For the stories of key varieties that brought Malaysia international acclaim, namely Black Thorn and Musang King, I traveled to Penang and Kelantan to interview farmers and descendants involved in registering these varieties with the Department of Agriculture," added Sim.

Various installations

Paintings, sculptures, and lifelike market stalls further illustrate the emotional connection Malaysians have with durian.

Ang noted that these installations, together with guided tasting sessions, allow visitors to learn about different varieties, aromas and textures.

"Our vision is to safeguard Malaysia's durian cultural heritage and systematically document the stories behind varieties such as D24, Musang King, and Black Thorn. While Malaysian durians are renowned worldwide, their histories are seldom fully told," he said.

In a year when Kuala Lumpur's cultural scene is set to ripen further with new openings, the arrival of a durian museum feels less like an oddity and more like a fruit that was always bound to fall into place.

After all, in a city increasingly serious about culture, even durian has found its exhibition moment.

THE STAR, MALAYSIA