There’s more than one Penang night market (or Penang pasar malam)! In fact, there is practically a different one every day of the week!
You can try bargain hunting and negotiating with locals too while trying out different streetfood.
Get a different perspective of Penang with a trip to one of these night markets scattered around Penang!
Table Of Contents:
- What You Can Buy
- Schedule
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Other Night Markets
- Tips
What You Can Buy At Penang Night Markets
- Drinks
- Street food, freshly made snacks and desserts
- Toys
- Souvenirs
- Fake designer goods
- Handmade jewelry and wooden crafts
- Fresh produce like seasonal fruit
- Clothes
- Phone accessories and other electronic gadgets
Penang Night Market Schedule
Shopping in Penang is not just limited to shopping malls. And there’s no excuse (except for rain) not to check these out since there is a bustling night market every day in Penang!
| Day | Location |
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| Monday |
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| Tuesday |
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| Wednesday |
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| Thursday |
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| Friday |
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| Saturday |
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| Sunday |
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| Everyday |
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Monday Penang Night Market
1. Macallum Street Night Market
It’s easy to spend an hour at Macallum Street Night Market:
Which takes up 2 sides of Macallum Street in Pengkalan Weld. The market is about 7 minutes’ drive from the clan jetties of Penang!
You can find classic Malaysian hawker food like char koay teow and lor bak. And snacks like waffles, pickled nutmegs and popcorn!
As well as an assortment of cheap household products, toys and clothes! This is one of the best night markets in Penang for the variety of stuff you can see, and street food to try.
- Address: Lintang Macallum 1, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Mondays from 5pm to 10:30pm
Tuesday Penang Night Market
2. Tanjung Bungah Night Market
Although not as impressive as the other night markets, you can still find about the same food and goods for sale at Tanjung Bungah Night Market!
There is fried chicken, sugarcane juice, char koay teow, burgers, satay, etc.
Interestingly, there’re some international snacks too! Like xioao long bao and aligot (cheese with mashed potato)!
This is the place to go during durian season if you’re looking for alternatives besides Penang durian farms!
Note: Hard to find parking here! The night market is in the same location as the daytime wet market!
- Address: 598-GF-0, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Taman Tanjung Bunga, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 10pm
Wednesday Penang Night Market
3. Farlim Night Market
Plan your trip to Kek Lok Si on a Wednesday and you can partake in one of the biggest night markets in Penang!
Close to a large residential area (Farlim), the prominent night market takes place on an open field.
With food trucks and stalls selling more food, souvenirs, clothing, DVDs and all sorts of knick-knacks!
Food to try at Farlim Night Market:
- Sugarcane juice
- Tau fu fa
- Pineapple tarts
- Char koay kak (Fried raddish cake)
- Salted fish steamed bao
- Ramli burgers
- Rojak
- Thai BBQ pork sticks
- Satay
- Keropok lekok (dried fish crackers)
- Assam laksa
- Thai fried chicken
- Lok lok
Do prepare to stand (or just get here before the dinner crowd does) while eating though as there are not many tables and chairs available to match the popularity of this night market in Penang.
That said, prices in general at this market tend to be higher than elsewhere.
Note: For those taking the bus, request to get off at Bandar Baru supermarket, Farlim as the night market is right behind it.
- Address: 27-75, Medan Angsana, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Wednesdays from 5pm to 11pm
Thursday Penang Night Market
4. Bayan Baru Night Market (Bayan Lepas)
Cheap local food is the highlight of Bayan Baru Night Market over at Bayan Lepas.
Kerabu rice is one of the must-try food at this night market. There’s another stall that sells yong tau fu with a spicy tomyum soup base.
Apart from Malay food, you can buy local produce.
Since there are many halal food stalls here, this pasar malam (night market) is popular with Malay families. Finding parking at this market will take some patience and time.
- Address: 24, Lorong Mahsuri 7, Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Thursdays from 5:30pm to 10pm
Friday Penang Night Market
5. Jelutong Night Market / Pasar Malam Van Praagh
This is another well-loved market in Penang. It comprises of stalls lining Van Praagh Road and Taman Kheng Tian.
You can tell that the market provides for the local residents as there are lots of everyday items for sale!
Jelutong Night Market food to try:
- nasi tomato (Tomato rice)
- Putu mayong (Indian rice noodle dish)
- Muar chee (Chinese dessert snack similar to the Japanese mochi. Usually filled with peanuts and sugar)
- Yong tau foo
- Roast pork
- Hokkien mee
- Nyonya kuih
Note: If you smell something offensive, it’s probably the stinky tofu stall!
- Address: 52, Jalan Van Praagh, Taman Continental, 11600 George Town, Penang Island
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Fridays from 6pm to 11pm
Saturday Penang Night Markets
6. Sungai Dua Night Market
Residents in the Gelugor area and students from the nearby Universiti Sains Malaysia like to pick up groceries from this market. It’s convenient that it’s just across from a Tesco Extra too!
The roadside market has fresh seafood, vegetables and seasonal fruit and a wide selection of Malay, Indian and Chinese hawker food.
Food to try:
- Kebab
- Nasi lemak
- Ketupat (rice balls that go well with satay!)
- Nasi biryani
- Assam laksa
- Chee cheong fun
- Char kway teow
Tip: A good time to go is after 7pm! This is when most of the stalls are already set up!
- Address: 1, Jalan Sungai Dua, Sungai Dua, 13800 Gelugor, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Saturdays from 5pm to 10pm
7. Batu Lanchang @ Food Truck Party
A relatively new imitative by the authorities in Batu Lanchang to lure more visitors to the area:
This Penang night market has some 20-30 food trucks selling Korean, Japanese, Arabic, Italian and American street food at the same location as the local wet market.
- Address: 21, Lebuhraya Batu Lancang, Jelutong, 11600 George Town
- Opening Hours: Saturdays from 7pm to 12am
Sunday Penang Night Markets
8. Paya Terubong Night Market
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because there is another market (at a different location) of the same name under Thursday night markets in Penang!
Paya Terubong Night Market at Bandar Baru Air Itam has many food stalls selling local dishes like belacan fried rice (nasi goreng belacan) or street food like lok lok.
The market is not far from one of Penang’s most famous attractions, Kek Lok Si – a hilltop Buddhist temple with massive grounds.
- Address: 1228l, Jalan Paya Terubong, Bandar Baru Air Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Sundays from 5:30pm to 10:30pm
9. Nibong Tebal Sunday Night Market
On the other hand, this exceptionally long market occurs only on a Sunday! Stalls cater mostly to Chinese folk (i.e., not halal).
Note: This market is on the mainland at Nibong Tebal, and not on Penang Island!
Foodies will appreciate the gastronomical delights for sale at this market:
- Kueh teow soup noodles
- Kuih sayur
- Nasi lemak
- Assam laksa
Note: It’s better to take public transport to get here to avoid wasting time looking for parking!
- Address: 14, Jalan Sungai Daun, Taman Nibong Tebal Jaya, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: Sundays from 7pm to 10pm
Read more: Penang Famous Cendol – 9 Best Cendol In Penang That You Can Try Today!
Other Night Markets In Penang
10. Kimberley Street Food Night Market
Hawker stall culture in Malaysia is eminent at this daily night market:
Where the first step is to find a table and seat. Then order your drinks. Remember the table number and give it to your chosen food stall so they can bring the food to you!
You’ll likely notice a long queue in front of one stall specializing in duck kway chup! This is a flavorful soup with succulent duck meat and wide and flat rice noodles! One bowl can cost ~RM10.
Other food you can try here:
- Oh chien (Omelets with oyster meat)
- A variety of tong sui (Chinese sweet soup desserts)
- Chicken feet koay teow th’ng
- Lok lok
- Satay
- Chee cheong fun (Hong Kong style)
- Char koay teow
Note that on weekdays, there may be fewer stalls to choose from. But it’ll be easier to find parking than on weekends when the market is busiest with locals and tourists!
- Address: 1, Jalan Sungai Ujong, George Town, 10100 George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia
- Opening Hours: 5pm to 11pm
Read more: 13 Best Breakfast In Penang – With Local, Western Cafe & Halal Options
11. Batu Ferringhi Night Market
At Batu Ferringhi, you’ll find another daily Penang night market by the main road and beach!
True, most of the wares for sale among the 100 or so stalls are geared towards tourists! They even have swimwear, phone chargers and flip flops for sale!
Make sure to put those bargaining skills to good use if you spot something you like at this lively venue! Prices here are higher than other night markets in Penang.
The mood at Batu Ferringhi Night Market has dropped considerably post pandemic. There are not as many people thronging the market as before.
Note: There’s not many food stalls
- Address: Jalan Pantai Batu, Taman Pantai Batu, 11200 Tanjong Bungah, Pulau Pinang
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: 7pm to 12am
Tips For Visiting Night Markets
- Some sellers are more aggressive than others – you can either avoid eye contact or politely say “no, thank you” whilst shaking your head no
- Beware of pickpockets
- Designate a “meeting spot” with your group members in case you get lost!
- Don’t wear any expensive jewelry
- Sellers often expect buyers to negotiate prices so you don’t necessarily have to settle for the initial price they give you
- Use of single-use plastic is common at these markets. Avoid creating trash by bringing your empty water bottle and a container. And possibly your own cutlery.
- When buying food, try to look for those stalls that make it on the spot! To avoid chance of food poisoning!
Read more: Penang Itinerary 3 Days: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Penang Trip
Getting Around Penang
There’s a lot going on at a night market! Having a local’s point of view will help you understand more about the underlying culture and typical habits of Malaysians!
RayTheTour is a private tour service with local guides that are only too happy to show you their hometown!
Why You Should Book Their Service:
- Flexible tour schedule with no fixed stops
- Guides that speak English or Chinese
- We conduct tours in and between Ipoh and Cameron Highlands!
- Tour includes direct pick up and drop off
- Transport via MPV or van
Contact RayTheTour on WhatsApp.
Further reading:
- 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang (With All Penang Transport Options)
- How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
- How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
Conclusion
Penang night markets may not have air-conditioning like Penang shopping malls. But that should not discourage you from visiting them. Especially if you’ve never experienced a Malaysian night market before.
Pick up some Penang souvenirs and try some local food while you take in Malaysian night market culture.
As another opportunity to try Penang street food, a visit to a local night market rightfully falls under the list of things to do in Penang at night!
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- 21 Fun Things To Do In Penang With Kids
- 15 Best Hotels In Penang For An Unforgettable Stay (From Budget To Luxury)
- 13 Best Things To Do In Georgetown Penang
