Night Shopping - Bazaars and Markets

This is one facet of Kuala Lumpur's lifestyle that you should not miss - the Night Market (known as Pasar Malam) and Night Bazaars (known as Bazaria Larut Malam).

While the latter is a recent development (see below for details), the Pasar Malam or night market was set up about three decades ago as an alternative for small-time traders to sell their goods in the evenings.



Basically, the pasar malam was created to help farmers, poultry breeders, fishermen and small-time producers to sell their goods directly to the consumer, without going through a middleman, so that any cost saving is passed on to the consumer.




With this mechanism in place, the consumer gets to purchase goods at competitive prices and the seller gets to make more than he would have if he decided to use the services of a middleman. (A video of the pasar malam/night market can be viewed here.)

What started as localised nocturnal open air markets grew by leaps and bounds. In addition to agricultural produce, clothes, toys, food and other knicknacks are sold too. The usual five or ten stalls expanded to sometimes miles long evening social activity.



Usually held in the evenings from 5pm to about 11pm, along a dedicated venue (usually a stretch of road closed to motorised traffic) once or twice a week, the pasar malam has become a facet of city life. If goods at supermarkets were fixed, those at the pasar malam are not and you can bargain to your heart's content to get at what you think is best prices.

The night markets have appealed to many and is an mistakable feature of most housing areas within Kuala Lumpur. Today, you see all sorts of ware being sold here.

If you ever get a chance to stumble upon a night market, by all means check it out. It's fun. Check out the traditional food which are not in the normal fare of your hotel menu and you will be amazed by the variety the traders offer.



Clothes and novelty products should also be on your shopping list as they make interesting souvenirs to bring back home. Trinkets, silver jewellery, leather belts, T-shirts with catchy slogans, and the like await your discovery.

Take your time and browse through the items. If you spot a good bargain, don't settle for the price the trader offers. Bargain and see how low can he go. It's fun and part of KL life normal tour routes cannot take you to.

The following are pasar malam locations throughout the week. This list is provided by by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Mondays

• Seksyen 1 Wangsa Maju


• Taman Len Seng, Cheras


• Jalan Air Panas, Setapak


• Jalan Laxamana Off Jalan Peel


• Kampung Kerinchi, Bangsar


• Sentul Pasar Dalam 4B


• Jalan Kangsar Off Jalan Ipoh


• Desa Pandan, Kampung Pandan


• Taman Miharja Fasa II


• Taman Koop Polis Fasa 2


• Taman Sri Sinar, Segambut

Tuesdays

• Taman Desa Bakti, Selayang


• Kampung Kasippillay Off Jalan Ipoh


• Rumah Pangsa Razak Mansion


• Jalan Bangsawan, Bandar Tun Razak


• Taman Datuk Senu, Sentul


• Rumah Pangsa Gombak 1A


• Taman Kok Lian, Segambut


• Kampung Pasir Lama Off Jalan Klang Lama


• Rumah Panjang 1A, Jinjang


• Taman Pertama, Cheras


• Jalan Chemur, Pekeliling


• Taman Sri Petaling, Sungai Besi


• Jalan Air Bah, Setapak


• Taman Intan Baiduri, Kepong


• Jalan 133 Kepong

Wednesdays

• Taman Desa Petaling


• Kuchai Enterprenurs Park


• Jalan Chengal, Taman Setapak


• Jalan Kolam Air Off Jalan Ipoh


• Rumah Pangsa Sri Melaka, Cheras


• Jalan K, Taman Batu, Segambut


• Taman Connought, Cheras


• Taman Beringin, Jinjang


• Kampung Malaysia Tambahan, Sungai Besi


• Kuaters Hospital Kuala Lumpur


• Pantai Dalam, Bangsar


• Jalan Wira, Kampung Pandan


• Jalan Gempita, Salak Selatan


• Seksyen 10, Wangsa Maju


• Rumah Pangsa Sri Pahang, Bangsar

Thursdays

• Jalan Ikan Emas, Cheras


• Jalan Berhala, Brickfield


• Jalan Hujan Emas, OUG


• Flat Sri Terengganu, Sentul


• Jalan Sri Rampai, Setapak


• Taman Taynton, Cheras


• PKNS, Jalan Kuching


• Jalan Kas-Kas, Taman Cheras


• Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum, Bangsar


• Taman Sri Sentosa, Klang Lama


• Jalan Jujur, Bandar Tun Razak

Fridays

• Taman Melati, Gombak


• Taman Desa Off Klang Lama


• Taman Mastiara, Segambut


• Taman Sibu 6, Taman Wahyu


• Taman Segar, Cheras


• Taman Kok Doh, Segambut


• Taman Sri Endah, Sungai Besi


• Jalan Ang Seng, Brickfield


• Bandar Baru Sentul


• Kampung Cheras Baru, Cheras

Saturdays

• Taman Bukit Anggerik, Cheras


• Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman


• Jalan Udang Siar, Segambut


• Pekan Sungai Besi


• AU2 Keramat


• Jalan Rejang, Setapak Jaya


• Jalan Kelab, Jinjang


• Taman Sungai Besi


• Taman Miharja Fasa 1


• Jalan Lazat, Happy Garden


• Pantai Dalam, Bangsar


• Taman Midah, Cheras

Sundays

• Titikaya, Jinjang


• Jalan Semarak


• Taman Maluri, Cheras


• Jalan Selesa, Happy Garden


• Jalan Telawi Bangsar


• Taman Bukit Maluri, Kepong


• Taman Tun Dr. Ismail


• Jalan Mergastua, Kepong


• Jalan Kelapa Gading, Segambut


• Rumah Pangsa Sri Selangor

(Editor's Note: As with all public places where crowd traffic is high, be careful with your belongings. Beware of pick-pockets.)

Midnight Bazaars
The night bazaars or Bazaria Larut Malam is a new phenomenon in Kuala Lumpur. This concept of open-air shopping started in Damansara Uptown and has now spread to Kuala Lumpur as well as other areas of the Klang Valley.

At the moment, there is a big one in Taman Danau Kota, off Jalan Genting Kelang. This bazaar opens from 9pm to 4am daily except Thursdays.

The difference between a night market (pasar malam) and a night bazaar (bazaria larut malam) is that the latter sells mostly clothes, accessories, car parts, electronic gadgets, and other non-agricultural produce. The operation hours are usually from 8:30pm to 3am the next day.

So, if you are in KL, ask about these bazaars at the hotel front desk and if you can, pay one a visit if it is nearby. You will be amazed with the assortment of goods offered in this carnival-like atmosphere.

Midnight Bazaar Locations:
Taman Danau Kota (Off Jalan Hulu Kelang) - Nightly from 9pm except Thursdays.
KL Velodrome Carpark in Bandar Baru Tun Razak (Cheras).
Sentul Raya, Sentul
Taman Setiawangsa