Sick of window shopping for expensive and out-of-reach stuff at atas malls?
Perhaps it’s time to wind back the clock to a simpler time with analogue cameras, print magazines and CDs.
And you know what? We have the perfect place to indulge your nostalgic shopping.
And its name is Amcorp Mall.
Origins
Long before upstart bundle stores burst into the scene, Amcorp Mall was already known far and wide as the place to find secondhand and preloved goods.
Opened in 1997 by Arab Malaysian Development Berhad – better known today as Amcorp Properties Berhad, or the people behind Ambank – Amcorp Mall was as envisioned as one piece of a mixed office-apartment-mall development.
Three decades later, Amcorp has been mostly eclipsed by Mid Valley and One Utama in terms of luxury or tenants.
But there’s one thing Amcorp owns that the rest can only dream of – a thriving preloved scene PLUS a weekly flea market!
Retail Reborn
Most of Amcorp Mall’s four floors are dedicated to preloved goods and collectibles, whether it be secondhand bookstores, vintage music stores or antique merchants.
But the real magic happens on the weekend flea markets, when the mall’s four floors come alive with dozens of small-time vendors hawking a mind-boggling range of secondhand and even new products at every corner imaginable.
Recently, I had the fortune of visiting during one of these flea market days.
Whether you’re looking for a niche merchandise, a hit of nostalgia or just a look at the crazy stuff people drag out of their stuffy storerooms, join me on a quick tour of what this preloved paradise has to offer.
Food
Starting from the ground floor entrance, you’re immediately greeted by tons of food vendors offering a buffet of delicious local kuih or more sourdough bread.
Most of Amcorp’s permanent eateries can be found on the ground and basement floors.
Besides familiar chain places like Subway, Starbucks or Secret Recipe, you can find some standouts like Chiquyo Japanese Restaurant, Ka Fei Dian and Kafe Ruuma – all of which get absolutely packed during the weekends when the market is on.
Looking for something more exotic? How about some of Xinjiang’s Turkic-Chinese cuisine?
Books & Comics
Amcorp’s flea market is always a feast for bookworms thanks to an immense variety of sellers offering almost everything printed under the sun including photo collections, biographies and coffee table books.
Some particularly noteworthy finds include old Starz and Gempak magazines featuring Japanese pop culture, a contemporary tome on now-PM Anwar Ibrahim and a coffee table book on durians!
If you’re visiting during the weekdays, independent bookstores like Books For A Better World as well as branches of the ubiquitous Book Xcess and Popular will sate any bookworm’s thirst, though it’s no Library of Celsus!
Marvel-heads should also check out Dāny Ché Comics, a pleasant sunlit sanctuary that features entire walls and racks of classic and modern comic books.
Antiques
Classic antique hunters will have a field day in Amcorp sifting through an unbelievable range of small-time and professional dealers.
On the ground and basement floors, small-time players at the flea market are more likely to deal in miniature antiques like coins and stamps that have long gone out of circulation.
You might spot some surprises like I did, such as a collection of keris and katana swords and even a roughed-up military helmet from who knows where! There’s also plenty of questionable kitsch on offer too.
On the upper floors, you have more seasoned merchants dealing in traditional antique fare like furniture, paintings and sculptures. Places like Rare Collections House (MY), Antique Depot or Victorian Rose feel almost like museums with all their gold and wood antiques.
Speaking of museums, China is pretty much a living museum thanks to its collection of Jiangnan water towns, not to mention its variety of rich architectural traditions.
Records, Cassettes & CDs
Remember the 90s? Or the 80s? Heck, what about the 50s?
Chances are you’ll remember the records, CDs and cassette that held the tunes and greatest hits of their day.
And luckily for you, Amcorp has all of that in spades!
Classic records by Japanese artists, cassettes packed with Cantonese oldies and American grunge rock CDs are just some of the many physical music media on offer here.
On your playlist will be Victoria Music Centre (CDs), The Groove Room Record Store and Newleafz Records (records). Some of these stores even stock players for these classic media too.
Music-lovers should also consider paying homage to the classical greats in the cultural capital of Vienna.
Cameras
Amcorp also hosts offers plenty of camera bodies, lenses and accessories, especially of the analog variety.
Boxy twin-lens reflex film cameras, beautiful Fuji film cameras with almost-new bodies, toy cameras branded with long dead movie franchises – there’s something for most film (and even digital) camera shutterbugs here.
As most of these bodies and lenses are secondhand, your mileage may vary. Make sure to check for any defects or damage!
Places to get your photog fix include J One Camera, a branch of YL Camera and a few flea market vendors on the lower ground floor.
There’s a saying among photography enthusiasts: “the best camera is the one in your hands”. Discover how to upgrade your travel photos with these photography basics and easy tips and tricks!
Pop Culture Merch (Toys, Figures, Trading Cards etc)
According to this self-described otaku, Amcorp might be the closest thing Malaysian has to an Akihabara pop culture haven, at least if you’re talking about secondhand terms.
Cutesy, titillating and manly anime figurines line entire cabinets next to stacks upon stacks of plastic model kits from Japan in cramped but jam-packed stores like Arakis Toys, Mytoy and Hypebox.
Trading cards are also a huge deal with both stalls and shops selling Pokemon, Yugioh and Weiss Schwarz cards, with a pretty sizable stock at the Mono Loop, which I suspect is a bundle store.
Fans of Western comics and franchises aren’t left behind either, thanks to an interesting mix of action figures (V Store Collectibles), official and custom Lego stuff and even niche wares like tabletop figurines (Battle Bros).
Car nuts will also appreciate its enormous collection of miniature model cars in places such as Collectors Qube.
Whether you’re a fan of west or east, you’ll probably enjoy the vintage collection of PlayStation and Nintendo games at Kyo’s Game Mart on the weekends.
Clothes
Although there were a few stalls selling clothes during the flea market here, they don’t really seem to be the focus due to the limited space for stalls.
Still, fashionistas will find plenty to try on at clothing establishments like Original Outlet, Orlando, De Nice Collection and even bespoke men’s tailors like Best Chosen Tailor or The Suit Lot Tailor.
Related: Winter Clothes & Layering: A Quick Guide for Malaysians
Although the look and feel of Amcorp might be a bit dated and worn out, it gives the place an old-school charm that’s increasingly hard to find in the new sleek and shiny malls in the Klang Valley.
If you’re a bargain hunter, vintage enthusiast or just someone with an appreciation for all things old and gold, I highly recommend paying a visit to Amcorp Mall, especially during the weekends!
But, if you’re looking for more pop culture goods from the source, you can’t go wrong with the otaku haven of Akihabara, Seoul’s K-pop capital in Hongdae or the ACG (anime, comics and games) hub in Chengdu’s Tianfu Square Mall.
Malaysians looking to stretch that travel budget can also consider a trip to these ringgit-friendly destinations in 2026!
How to Get Here
Address: 18, Persiaran Barat, Pjs 52, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Amcorp Mall is accessible by Taman Jaya LRT, being just 10 minutes away on foot.
Ground floor parking in front of the mall is ludicrously expensive, at around a flat RM7 for 3 hours.
Instead, head to the basement parking from the east side of the mall where you’ll get a much more reasonable RM3 for the first three hours during weekends. Simply drive past the entrance to the ground floor parking and turn right once you see AmBank.
Links
Ryan Go Where – Mall Review #27| Amcorp Mall: Travel back to the 90s On Weekend at this Mall….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTnchCAwrlA
Amcorp Group Berhad – Our Story
https://www.amcorp.com.my/html/who_we_are_ourStory.aspx
