I'm definitely not someone who's particularly patriotic, but today I'm starting a new (yet again) segment on my website: Malaysia 101.
While not exactly someone who drapes a Malaysian flag on their shoulders and sing Negaraku with much passion, I definitely am someone who loves my country. And my love has only grown since I've left to study in the United States (I can't wait to graduate, God). I used to think I wasn't that well-versed about Malaysian things but then I realized that I have so many interesting input in conversations in the States, just sharing things unique to Malaysia. Among these interesting things I bring up in conversations are pasar malams. Sure the concept of a night market is not at all exclusive to Malaysia, but I just love the culture of it so much.
Recently, I was home for a month break, I visited my local pasar malam as one does, and I took some photos that I wanted to share. Now that I think about it, I suppose this 'Malaysia 101' thing isn't really even intended to school anyone on Malaysian culture. It's honestly more to log down my favorite things as well as to post pictures I took of said things.
While the term pasar malam pretty much translate to night market, you can see it's more of a late afternoon scene or en early evening kind of setting. Pasar malams are going to be hot. If you show up in anything more than thin baggy clothes you probably will sweat a bucket, as I always do, even when wearing appropriate attire. The stalls do open until the sun sets, but I tend to go earlier. You don't exactly sit around at a pasar malam to eat the food you buy. Unless it's finger snacks and drinks you get, you would probably bring the food back as the breadwinner of your family and present your bountiful catch heroically. You would be celebrated as a legend.
I think one of the things that I love about pasar malams is the fact that these hawker stall owners work there for years. Decades, even. Sometimes it's a family trade. Children to help out their parents and maybe some even take over the stalls down the road. This particular store that sells these fried foods like fish-balls and fried tofu skin and fried aubergines has been owned by the same loudmouthed and funny man for years, since I was a child and could remember braving the crowded streets. There's something about being part of a community, especially small local ones that you've grown up in. There's also something about just belonging there, and experiencing all the shouting and the busy streets and all of that. It's all very suburban, I feel, and while it isn't your typical city bustle, I just love busking in that kind of energy.
If you want to go to a pasar malam as someone who isn't local and have mastered the maneuvering art of night markets, you want to make sure to pick up some skills. First of all, you have got to be confident in ordering. Be loud and assert what you want and just walk up to the stall owner and tell then your order. Don't just hang around on the side. There isn't a queue--it's first come first serve, and you just wait on the side for your order. If you're worried they didn't get your order, remind them; don't be shy. They're used to the hustle.
Can't speak the language? Just point to the item you want if you can see it, and then show them on your fingers how many you want. Be like Doctor Strange in Endgame, you know, if you want one order of the fried kuey teow.
I personally never had to be all that mindful of my personal belongings (well, not that I was careless, but I've never been overly nervous or anxious); you don't have to clutch your bag to your chest. But yeah, do be aware of yourself and your things.
If you're also someone prone to mosquito or any bug bites, spray some repellent on yourself before heading out. I never had too big of an issue with mosquito bites at night markets, but I do get the occasional ones.
Pasar malams at most locations only open certain nights of a day, unless it's a super big one and it's during the Ramadan month. So, keep that in mind. My local one opens every Monday and Wednesday. Now, I'm not sure how you could get this kind of information online, but if you're willing to, just go to a local coffee shop/kopitiam and just ask around, they're sure to know.
Let's talk a little bit about hygiene. Now, being Malaysian and having my fair share of just street food and hawker stall food, I am mostly unconcerned about ungloved hands (given the right context, I'm not a barbaric savage) and a reasonable amount of flies in the are you have to regularly go and swat off. It's fine. I never had a problem with it, and I've never really gotten food poisoning or anything like that.
Anyways, I love my pasar malams. It's so affordable and fast, and the experience itself is fun. They sell things including toys and candy and snacks to seasonal fruits. You can buy so many things there, and you're kind of supporting local businesses! That's the fun part you. You get to kind of know the hawkers and the people selling the food and you get to like them, and you do want to support them and help them. I really hope these night markets are a kind of tradition and culture that we all continue to keep and uplift.
While not exactly someone who drapes a Malaysian flag on their shoulders and sing Negaraku with much passion, I definitely am someone who loves my country. And my love has only grown since I've left to study in the United States (I can't wait to graduate, God). I used to think I wasn't that well-versed about Malaysian things but then I realized that I have so many interesting input in conversations in the States, just sharing things unique to Malaysia. Among these interesting things I bring up in conversations are pasar malams. Sure the concept of a night market is not at all exclusive to Malaysia, but I just love the culture of it so much.
Recently, I was home for a month break, I visited my local pasar malam as one does, and I took some photos that I wanted to share. Now that I think about it, I suppose this 'Malaysia 101' thing isn't really even intended to school anyone on Malaysian culture. It's honestly more to log down my favorite things as well as to post pictures I took of said things.
While the term pasar malam pretty much translate to night market, you can see it's more of a late afternoon scene or en early evening kind of setting. Pasar malams are going to be hot. If you show up in anything more than thin baggy clothes you probably will sweat a bucket, as I always do, even when wearing appropriate attire. The stalls do open until the sun sets, but I tend to go earlier. You don't exactly sit around at a pasar malam to eat the food you buy. Unless it's finger snacks and drinks you get, you would probably bring the food back as the breadwinner of your family and present your bountiful catch heroically. You would be celebrated as a legend.
I think one of the things that I love about pasar malams is the fact that these hawker stall owners work there for years. Decades, even. Sometimes it's a family trade. Children to help out their parents and maybe some even take over the stalls down the road. This particular store that sells these fried foods like fish-balls and fried tofu skin and fried aubergines has been owned by the same loudmouthed and funny man for years, since I was a child and could remember braving the crowded streets. There's something about being part of a community, especially small local ones that you've grown up in. There's also something about just belonging there, and experiencing all the shouting and the busy streets and all of that. It's all very suburban, I feel, and while it isn't your typical city bustle, I just love busking in that kind of energy.
If you want to go to a pasar malam as someone who isn't local and have mastered the maneuvering art of night markets, you want to make sure to pick up some skills. First of all, you have got to be confident in ordering. Be loud and assert what you want and just walk up to the stall owner and tell then your order. Don't just hang around on the side. There isn't a queue--it's first come first serve, and you just wait on the side for your order. If you're worried they didn't get your order, remind them; don't be shy. They're used to the hustle.
Can't speak the language? Just point to the item you want if you can see it, and then show them on your fingers how many you want. Be like Doctor Strange in Endgame, you know, if you want one order of the fried kuey teow.
I personally never had to be all that mindful of my personal belongings (well, not that I was careless, but I've never been overly nervous or anxious); you don't have to clutch your bag to your chest. But yeah, do be aware of yourself and your things.
If you're also someone prone to mosquito or any bug bites, spray some repellent on yourself before heading out. I never had too big of an issue with mosquito bites at night markets, but I do get the occasional ones.
Pasar malams at most locations only open certain nights of a day, unless it's a super big one and it's during the Ramadan month. So, keep that in mind. My local one opens every Monday and Wednesday. Now, I'm not sure how you could get this kind of information online, but if you're willing to, just go to a local coffee shop/kopitiam and just ask around, they're sure to know.
Let's talk a little bit about hygiene. Now, being Malaysian and having my fair share of just street food and hawker stall food, I am mostly unconcerned about ungloved hands (given the right context, I'm not a barbaric savage) and a reasonable amount of flies in the are you have to regularly go and swat off. It's fine. I never had a problem with it, and I've never really gotten food poisoning or anything like that.
Anyways, I love my pasar malams. It's so affordable and fast, and the experience itself is fun. They sell things including toys and candy and snacks to seasonal fruits. You can buy so many things there, and you're kind of supporting local businesses! That's the fun part you. You get to kind of know the hawkers and the people selling the food and you get to like them, and you do want to support them and help them. I really hope these night markets are a kind of tradition and culture that we all continue to keep and uplift.
Comments
Post a Comment