PASAR MALAM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Pasar Malam literally translated means Night(malam) Market(pasar). If you are a total snack-o-rama maniac like myself, you should go on a hunt for the nearest Pasar Malam near you. The local suburban night markets are definately more food orientated while the larger ones around the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman area, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Bandar area, and Jalan Bukit Bintang area are more commercialized with a much larger variety of food as well as racks of cheap, fake clothing, many a toy or knicnak, dried fruit and nuts, 'DVDs', luxury 'watches' and many a random curioso,....for me I am there for only one purpose, the amazing selection of the most sumptuous and flavoursome dishes and snacks you can imagine.

It is a 'trip' to savour. There are usually so many to choose from you really wouldnt know where to start! The smells, the atmosphere, the people indulging all around you, the tastes will stay with you a lifetime...I am having flashbacks as it is! I must admit it has been years since I have been back to KL for a fix! During my childhood days these places are literally down a side alley or street, you eat as you walk and sometimes there are little stools to perch on...I think these days the larger ones are now in a food complex of sorts,...claiming better hygiene, more comfort....I prefer the streets,....I claim better flavours!

My favourites are:
AYAM PERCIK
---- this is a grilled chicken leg in a really fragrant curry peanuty sauce, yum! These are cooked on the spot over a hot coal trough grill...

Grilled STINGRAY in banana leaf
---- its succulent!

ASAM LAKSA
---- hot and sour sardine/fish based soup noodles with these fat noodles that are just fun to eat! There is a version of this that is made with noodles that are called 'rats tail', a nickname, and of course named after it's appreance...

WHITE RABBIT COOKIES
---- there are nut and cookie stalls, with a variety to tempt you, my favourite are the white powdery cookies that are usually in the shape of bunnies. They collapse in your mouth and melts into a mushy sweet paste...oh so good! There are lots of other deepfried batter based cookies that will kepp you munching for hours, definate couch potato fodder!

TONG SUI
---- these are soupy desert stalls, with a buffet of ingredients (some of which actually have health benefits)

ICE KACANG
---- a favourite on a extra hot night, a mountain of shaved ice with a rainbow of toppings, condensed milk and rose syrup, as it melts you dig in!

Oh dear I can go on and on... but I will leave you with this teaser list as there are lots and lots more goodies where that came from, it is just the tip of the iceberg!!. A word of advise, 'just try it', the worst that can happen is that it tastes way too funky for your tastebuds, on the upside, you will have a tasting experience you will never forget!



Pasar Malam, also known as the night markets
In multiple locations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Usual on a particular night like a Thursday or Saturday