Night markets: Petaling Jaya vs Kaifeng （开封） Part I

Night markets, or as fondly referred to by Malaysians -- pasar malam (literally: market night), are one of my favourite things in the world.

As noted on the entry title, I will post two photo entries on the markets:
1. The Thursday night Cheow Yang pasar malam
2. The Kaifeng （开封) night market in Henan Province during our spring trip there earlier this year

This is the first entry of the two-part series. Enjoy. =)


Cheow Yang Pasar Malam

Growing up in Petaling Jaya, I lived close to three main pasar malams (my niece adorably calls them "pasar LaMams"). In Malaysia, "Truly Asia", different night markets are usually catered to different ethnic groups -- Malay, Chinese or Indian. This usually meant that the stall owners and the types of food vary, and so do the groups of people who flock there.

With my family, the three night markets we frequented were catered to the Chinese audience though many of my friends of different ethnicities love to visit the more Malay-targeted markets in Taman Tun and Bangsar. I'd love to eventually make it out to a Ramadhan-special market. During the Muslims' fasting month, more night markets would spring up around the city to cater for their feasts after a day of fasting. I've heard that the selection of food is amazing.

The pictures below were taken at the Cheow Yang pasar malam, which is my favourite of the three closest to where my family lives.

A fruit seller. In the picture, you can see mangosteens, mangoes and longans.

Streets are usually closed off the entire night for these markets.

Muachi - Mini flour balls rolled up in crushed peanuts, sesame seeds and sugar.

Cai Kueh - Vegetables and dried mini shrimp in a translucent, chewy skin with chilli sauce

One of my favourite pasar malam foods -- peanut pancake, otherwise known as "Bang Chang Kueh" to Penang Hokkiens. They usually sprinkle a generous amount of peauts and sugar, with a little bit of Planta Margarine. This is the thicker version.


The thinner version -- in addition to the regular sugar and peanut, the vendors sometimes add corn or dried coconut flakes too

Crackers and tidbits

Underwear too

Air Tebu - Fresh sugar cane juice

Pasar malam buddies -- Jason and Sue-ann, my high school friends.


Lok-lok, also known as 麻辣烫 (ma la tang) in China. Mobile hotpot/steamboat. I've never tried it because of hygiene reasons.


Chopping up some nangka, a tropical fruit


Colorful cakes that are sometimes less than tasty


And of course, tau foo fah and tau cheong -- soft tofu in brown sugar/white sugar syrup or fresh soybean milk. You can find these in dim sum restaurants overseas as well.

Next entry: 开封夜市 Night market in Kaifeng