While many of us cross the border to visit cute dog and cat cafes in JB and go cafe-hopping, there’s actually so much more Johor has to offer. The one thing we Singaporeans love to do is find new restaurants, but when it comes to budget-friendly options our neighbours can’t be beat. As an alternative, night markets in JB are ideal for exploring both local and foreign cuisines at affordable prices.
We’ve compiled a list of pasar malams for you to visit, so your stomach won’t go hungry if you’re staying for late night things to do in JB.
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Image adapted from: Amad3255, Rafida A Rahman via Google Maps
The first contender on this list is Pasar Malam Kampung Melayu Majidee, a night market that serves a mix of local delicacies and drinks. A popular stall here is Popia S.S. Ali, which serves popia goreng and juicy popia basah, which are fried and steamed spring rolls served with fried shallots and sambal chilli sauce (RM8 for 5 rolls).
Be sure to explore the other stalls too, as you’ll find diverse food such as takoyaki, mashed potatoes, and Singaporean favourites like char kuey teow and fried rice.
Distance from Checkpoint: 30-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 24 hours, Mondays only
Image credit: KZ Seet via Google Maps
Located within a 4-minute walk away from KSL mall, Century Garden Monday Night Market is an easily accessible pasar malam that serves local street food. You’ll find the typical crowd favourites here like otak-otak, kuih, cucur udang (RM2), and Sarawakian kolo mee.
Image credit: Harry Low via Google Maps
Apart from the usual selection of finger foods, there is a stall here that specialises in salted egg menu items such as fried squid, mushroom, and broccoli coated in salted egg seasoning. We suggest that you go down early for this market as most of the food usually sells out in the first hour.
Distance from Checkpoint: 20-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 5pm-10pm, Mondays only
Image credit: s c via Google Maps
Impian Emas Thursday Night Market is JB’s biggest pasar malam filled with food stalls and affordable apparel. Some of the must-try food at this bustling market would be their dim sum, fresh egg tarts, and colourful Nyonya kueh.
Image adapted from: @KL Stuff via Youtube, Max Liew via Google Maps
Look out for a stall here called Anak Cucu Adam, they serve freshly made pancakes that come with different fillings you can choose from, like egg and chocolate. You will also notice that there are several shops here selling clothes and slippers at bargain prices, so don’t miss out on some good deals.
Image credit: Leong Kai Ming (エレン) via Google Maps
If the lauk or side dishes aren’t enough to fill your stomach, head down to Hometown Seven Restaurant (TUTA 777). It’s a huge open-air hawker centre located within 20-minute drive away, and they sell burgers, nasi padang, grilled chicken wings, and even sushi.
Distance from Checkpoint: 50-minute drive from Tuas Checkpoint
Opening hours: 4.30pm-9pm, Thursdays only
Image credit: 7 Days Transport
Compared to the other night markets on this list, Puteri Wangsa Friday Night Market is a smaller pasar malam that focuses on authentic Malay cuisine. Most of the stalls operating here sell wok-fried dishes like mee goreng, ayam bakar, and Penang laksa.
Image credit: AHMAD S MAJID via Google Maps
For those who are looking for takeaway alternatives, there’s also pre-packed nasi lemak and chee cheong fun served with flavourful curry sauce.
Distance from Checkpoint: 1-hour drive from Tuas Checkpoint
Opening hours: 4.30pm-10pm, Fridays only
Image credit: kathy.cheang kathy.cheang via Google Maps
If you’re looking for food that’s different from the typical nasi padang we find at hawker centres, Taman Tampoi Utama Night Market is the next place you have to visit.
They bring something different to the table with their Kelanese cuisine, such as their nasi kerabu, which is blue-coloured rice served with fried chicken, and laksam, a noodle soup dish made of flat rice noodles and fish gravy.
Image credit: Muhamad Naza via Google Maps
This night market has a variety of local desserts such as their putu piring (also known as tutu kueh) and kue putu, which is a green coloured-rice flour filled with gula melaka. For those looking to make their meals healthier, there are stalls selling cut fruits served with asam seasoning and grilled corn sticks.
We advise that you bring cash here as most stalls don’t accept QR code payments or PayNow transactions.
Distance from Checkpoint: 35-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 4pm-9.30pm, Tuesdays only
Image credit: @cookedbyfik via Instagram
Pasar Karat is one of the more vibrant night markets, having a mix of modern snacks, local favourites, and even vintage apparel. You’ll be able to find sweet desserts like corn cups, coconut ice cream, waffles, as well as takoyaki (from RM5/4 pieces) here.
Image adapted from: @tanbrentt, @jajjaeril via Instagram
A popular stall here is Lokching, which sells savoury grilled sausages (from RM13/stick of 5 sausages). Another go-to comfort food here is their Mi Siput, a fried flour cracker served with sweet sambal tumis (from RM3/piece). After chowing down on all that savoury food, cleanse your palettes with a refreshing cup of lime and plum Juice (RM3).
Image credit: @khai_complex via Instagram
For those who think thrift shopping prices are too expensive in Singapore, you have to visit Khai Complex, the night market’s very own vintage & branded clothing store. Their clothes are all laid outside on racks for display, and you’ll be able to find hoodies, windbreakers, t-shirts, and even second-hand branded bags from just RM10.
If you venture further into the market, you’ll find shops selling footwear from RM30 for 3 pairs, and henna art shops offering temporary tattoos from RM5 for kids.
Distance from Checkpoint: 10-minute drive from Tuas Checkpoint
Opening hours: Tue 12am-2pm & 6pm-2am | Wed-Sun 6pm-2am (Closed on Mondays)
Image credit: Doreen Gwee via Google Maps
At Bukit Indah 2 Wednesday Night Market, you’ll find a lot more dinner options rather than just finger food. You can look forward to trying the ayam goreng kunyit (RM4.50) here, which is stir-fried chicken served with turmeric, and options like curry chee cheong fun, and whole servings of roasted duck being chopped and sold.
Image adapted from: Travel With Jack Chee, Yang via Google Maps
As for takeout options, there’s also pork sausages, crispy fried pancakes, and salted egg fish skin here that would be ideal for a quick supper. They have ample dessert choices as well, such as their chocolate apam balik (peanut pancake), and freshly grated coconut drinks.
Distance from Checkpoint: 40-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 5pm-9pm, Wednesdays only
Image credit: MasHashim Official via Google Maps
Pasar Malam Taman Dahlia is mainly known for its many stalls selling nasi dagang and nasi kukus – variations of nasi padang where rice marinated in coconut milk is served with fried chicken or fish curry. While ordering, you can choose the ingredients you want from their selection of fish, chicken, and mutton cooked in different styles.
Image credit: Robin Low via Google Maps
The night market also has a large selection of fruits like dragonfruit, starfruit, and mangosteen. Plus, refreshing beverages like watermelon juice, so you’ll be able to quench your thirst while eating your spicy nasi dagang.
Distance from Checkpoint: 40-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 5pm-10pm, Wednesdays only
Image credit: Lennox Cheok via Google Maps
Situated within a 3-minute walk from Renaissance Hotel, Permas Sunday Night Market offers Taiwanese cuisine that is not commonly found in other pasar malams. To start off, you’ve got to try the oyster mee sua, which is a rice vermicelli served in a thick bonito-based soup. You can choose to add fried chicken or shredded steamed chicken as additional toppings if you wish to.
Image credit: Grace Liong via Google Maps
Other options here include candied strawberry hawthorn sticks; muah chee (RM5/pack) or peanut-coated chewy mochi; and coloured pou with different fillings like black sesame and purple sweet potato (RM8 for 6 buns).
You can’t leave this place without visiting the stall that sells flavoured jelly on sticks – something that’s commonly seen in those satisfying mukbang videos.
Distance from Checkpoint: 40-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 5pm-9pm, Sundays only
Image credit: ck xx via Google Maps
For those seafood lovers, Johor Jaya Night Food Street is a food district that serves a range of seafood and zhi-char style dishes. Similar to the food you’ll find at places like Newton Food Centre and East Coast Lagoon Food Village, the food scene is mainly made up of stingrays, sambal lala clams, chicken wings, oyster omelettes, and satay.
Image credit: BIN KEONG TAN via Google Maps
There will be ample seats and tables here for your dinners, but there will be no reservations as it’s based on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Distance from Checkpoint: 1-hour drive from Woodlands Checkpoint
Opening hours: 5pm-12am, Mon-Wed only
With several night markets in JB offering a variety of street food and even apparel shopping options, there’s definitely much more to see beyond the usual malls in JB. Taste quality food being sold at affordable prices and start planning your trips to these night markets now.
More things to do in JB:
Cover image adapted from: KZ Seet, Grace Liong, Max Liew via Google Maps
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