3 Ipoh Night Markets To Visit During Your Stay

Sight-seeing aside, the city of Ipoh is also littered with night markets. A hotspot as well as a food bazaar for locals, Ipoh night markets offer loads of mouthwatering food and awesome purchases. Night markets could comprise as many as 1,000 stalls (yes, you read that right) to just 350.

If you are visiting Ipoh this year and want to sink your teeth into some pocket-friendly delectable delights, then the night markets are where you need to be!

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Ipoh isn't the only city with designated areas for night markets. There are countless evening bazaars all over Malaysia and beyond.

Night markets trace their roots back to the medieval Chinese Tang dynasty. They consisted of street peddlers and hawkers who set up their makeshift stalls to serve food and market goods.

While night markets might be regarded as old-school or backward compared to strata malls or large shopping complexes, they are still greatly loved by locals and tourists!

In Ipoh, the night market, or Pasar Malam in Bahasa Melayu, is a marketplace where you can find almost anything you need. From food, clothing and drinks to other consumer goods, the night market has it all.

Occasionally, night markets might also host fair games and kiddy rides like a mini train ride or mini carousel!

If night markets sound like something you would like to experience during your stay in Ipoh, then be sure to check out these three night markets!

Just a stone's throw away from Bercham Nova Commercial Centre, Bercham Night Market occupies the whole stretch of Hala Bercham Timur 11. With more than a hundred stalls, Bercham Night Market is a treasure trove of sizzling hot food and a plethora of consumer goods.

When you first step foot in Bercham Night Market, you can expect to be greeted by strong aromas of freshly marinated and cooked barbecued meat as well as tangy but enticing scents of Assam Laksa.

Opening Hours:
Every Wednesday, 6.30pm to 10.30pm

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If there is one night market that is well-known amongst locals, it is Ipoh Walk.

Officially opened in December 2017, the Ipoh Walk Night Bazaar is the largest evening market, not only in Ipoh but also in the whole of Malaysia. Its stalls, which can number over 1000, carry flavoursome delights including Dim Sum, Chow Tofu (Smelly Tofu), Kacang Putih (white nuts), Kway Tiao Soup, satay and so much more!

Food aside, Ipoh Walk also has various fashion stalls with new and pre-loved clothes. There is also an occasional Milo truck stationed at the bazaar for anyone who might need an extra boost of energy.

The market is located opposite AEON Mall Kinta City and right next to TM Point, along one of the liveliest streets in Ipoh.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday, 4pm to 1am
Friday to Sunday, 4pm to 3am

Another mammoth night market in Ipoh, First Garden Night Market offers tasty local and international foods along with a whole selection of consumer goods like clothes, household items, shoes and more. One can also find fresh fruits and other snacks that can be brought back home as gifts.

First Garden Night Market is known for its Popiah (Chinese spring rolls), Char Kueh (Fried rice cake), Orh Luak (Fried Oyster Omelette), satay, assorted skewers and barbecued chicken wings.

However, it tends to get a bit crowded after dark. So if you would like to avoid squeezing through packs of shoppers and diners, you might want to head to First Garden Night Market a bit earlier.

Opening Hours:
Every Friday, 6.30pm to 10pm

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If you are completely new to the concept of night markets, you are in for a huge culture shock as night markets are poles apart from what you are used to in contemporary shopping complexes.

Before visiting a night market, make sure you follow these tips to have an enjoyable and memorable experience:
• Haggling over prices is a common practice, so don't be afraid to bargain with the stallholders.
• If you want to experience local flavours, the night market is where you need to be. Try hawker fares like satay or Nasi Goreng.
• Most stallholders will be able to converse in English, Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu.
• Depending on the crowd, it might be difficult for you to find a place to sit. If you are travelling in a group, get one volunteer to reserve a table for your entourage.
• Arrive early if you don't like crowds. Find out what time the night market opens to avoid the dinner rush and walk around comfortably.
• Night markets are not only limited to local cuisines. You might also find a variety of international delights like Taiwanese fried chicken and Japanese Taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cake).
• Make sure you purchase goods with their local currency (Malaysian Ringgit).

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It is easy to learn about Malaysian history and culture simply by doing a quick Google search. But why limit yourself to the search engine when you can experience culture on your own during your visit to Ipoh?

While bazaars symbolise a country's socio-economic development, food is a portal to culture and heritage. They emulate local history and progress by taking visitors on an eye-opening and gastronomical experience without words. All in all, Ipoh's night markets symbolise the livelihood of its people and the relevance of preserving traditional foods and cooking methods to appeal to local tastes and preferences.

If you are looking for something enriching to do on your trip to Ipoh, why not pay a visit to one of the Ipoh night markets?