Johor Bahru Night Markets: Where to Go Monday to Sunday

Shopping malls are comfortable, air-conditioned and predictable—but Johor Bahru’s weekly night markets offer a completely different kind of adventure. One moment, you are following the smell of freshly grilled satay; the next, you are carrying bags of fruit, slippers, kitchen tools and enough snacks to feed the entire family.

Most of these pasar malams operate only once a week, usually beginning in the late afternoon and becoming busiest after 6pm. Stall participation may change depending on the weather, festive periods and individual vendors’ schedules.

For markets listed by Johor Bahru City Council, the stall figure refers to the number of licensed trading lots, not the guaranteed number of vendors operating on every visit. Therefore, it is safer to write “up to 278 licensed lots” rather than promise readers that exactly 278 stalls will appear.

Distances below are approximate road distances from the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, commonly known as Johor Bahru CIQ.

Monday: KSL Monday Night Market

Also known as: Taman Century Night Market
Operating hours: Monday, approximately 5pm–10pm
Number of stalls: Up to 278 licensed lots
Food category: Mixed Chinese and Malay food; non-halal dishes are available
Location: Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 3km

Monday evenings outside KSL City Mall are anything but quiet. As the afternoon heat begins to ease, vendors gradually take over Jalan Seladang, turning the ordinary roadside into a long, lively stretch of food, groceries and bargain shopping.

This is an excellent starting point for visitors who are new to JB night markets because it offers a little bit of everything. Come hungry and you may find otak-otak grilling over charcoal, fried oyster omelette sizzling in large pans, crispy prawn fritters, curry chee cheong fun, Sarawak kolo mee, colourful kuih and tubs of popcorn. Salted-egg fans may also spot stalls coating mushrooms, squid or vegetables in that dangerously addictive golden seasoning.

Food is only half the story. Walk farther and the shopping bags may start multiplying, thanks to affordable fruit, vegetables, clothing, phone accessories and household products. The market is especially convenient for anyone already spending the day shopping or having a massage around KSL.

As it is a mixed market, Muslim visitors should check directly with individual vendors before purchasing. The market officially falls under Taman Century, which is listed by MBJB with 278 trading lots.

Tuesday: Taman Tampoi Utama Night Market

Operating hours: Tuesday, approximately 5pm–9pm
Number of stalls: Up to 130 licensed lots
Food category: Mainly Malay and halal-friendly food
Location: Jalan Sri Perkasa 1/1, Taman Tampoi Utama, 81200 Johor Bahru
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 11–13km

Tuesday night belongs to Taman Tampoi Utama, a neighbourhood pasar malam where visitors can experience more traditional Malay and east-coast flavours. It may not have the tourist-heavy atmosphere of KSL, but that is part of its charm. This is the sort of market where residents stop by after work, buy dinner for the family and somehow return home with fruit, clothes and three extra bags they never intended to purchase.

Food lovers should keep an eye out for Kelantanese favourites such as nasi kerabu, recognised by its beautifully coloured rice, as well as laksa with thick rice noodles and creamy fish gravy. Other possible finds include ayam percik, nasi kukus, rojak petis, grilled corn, fried snacks and soft putu piring filled with melted gula Melaka.

The stalls are not limited to cooked food. Visitors can also browse fruit, toys, accessories, clothing and everyday household items. It is a practical local market where dinner and shopping can be settled in one walk.

Most food businesses here are Malay or Muslim-run, but readers who require formal halal certification should still check with the individual stallholder. MBJB lists Taman Tampoi Utama as a Tuesday night market with 130 licensed trading lots.

Wednesday: Pasar Malam Taman Dahlia

Operating hours: Wednesday, approximately 5pm–10pm
Number of stalls: Up to 212 licensed lots
Food category: Mainly Malay and halal-friendly food
Location: Persiaran Dahlia, Taman Dahlia, 81200 Johor Bahru
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 12–14km

By Wednesday, the week may already feel long, so Taman Dahlia provides a perfectly reasonable excuse to forget about cooking. This substantial neighbourhood market is particularly popular for filling Malay meals rather than only small snacks that disappear before you reach the car.

Nasi dagang and nasi kukus are among the main attractions. Expect fragrant rice served with choices such as fried chicken, fish curry, mutton dishes and rich gravies that may leave you seriously considering a second packet for supper. There are also stalls preparing fried rice, kebabs, homemade-style dishes and plenty of crispy snacks for people who prefer to eat while walking.

After all the savoury food, visitors can cool down with fruit juices or browse displays of dragon fruit, mangosteen, star fruit, pineapples and other seasonal produce. Like many traditional pasar malams, it also carries groceries and daily necessities, making it useful for local residents as well as hungry visitors.

The market is mainly Malay-oriented and generally halal-friendly, although individual certification should always be confirmed with the vendor. MBJB’s market listing records 212 licensed lots at Taman Dahlia, making it one of the larger midweek night markets in its administrative area.

Thursday: Impian Emas Thursday Night Market 金山园夜市

Operating hours: Thursday, approximately 4.30pm–9pm
Number of stalls: Around 50 active stalls, based on a recent visitor estimate
Food category: Chinese-majority mixed market; non-halal food is available
Location: Around 24, Jalan Impian Emas 4, Taman Impian Emas, 81300 Skudai
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 16–18km

Thursday’s food hunt takes visitors farther into Skudai, where Taman Impian Emas hosts a more relaxed, community-style night market. It may not be as enormous as some weekend markets, but it packs plenty of reasons to arrive with an empty stomach and a reusable shopping bag.

Popular choices reported here include soft mochi, colourful Nyonya kuih, crispy min jiang kueh and generous portions of chicken chop. The pancake stalls are especially tempting because customers may encounter different fillings, including traditional peanut as well as sweeter combinations such as chocolate and egg.

There are also cooked meals, noodles, snacks, fresh seafood, vegetables and fruit. Once the eating mission is complete—or temporarily paused—visitors can browse affordable clothing, slippers, kitchen items and household necessities. The crowd is generally made up of residents from the surrounding neighbourhoods, giving the market a comfortable local atmosphere rather than the feeling of a tourist attraction.

A recent market review estimated roughly 50 stalls, with fewer than 10 operated by Malay vendors. It is therefore better described as a Chinese-majority mixed market rather than a halal night market. The market operates around Jalan Impian Emas 4 every Thursday evening.

Friday: Puteri Wangsa Friday Night Market

Operating hours: Friday, approximately 4.30pm–10pm
Number of stalls: More than 100 stalls
Food category: Mainly Malay and Muslim-run stalls, with some mixed offerings
Location: Around Jalan Badik 16 and Jalan Badik 19, Taman Puteri Wangsa, 81800 Ulu Tiram
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 15–18km

The weekend officially begins at Puteri Wangsa, where rows of stalls appear around Jalan Badik every Friday afternoon. This is a proper neighbourhood pasar malam: lively enough to feel exciting, but still focused on affordable food, groceries and useful items for families living nearby.

The cooked-food section is the main reason to visit. Visitors can expect the comforting sounds of mee goreng being tossed in hot woks, chicken sizzling over grills and ladles of curry being poured over rice or chee cheong fun. Ayam bakar, Penang-style laksa, nasi lemak, fried noodles, pau and local desserts may all make an appearance.

The sensible plan is to walk through the market once before buying anything. The less sensible—but very understandable—plan is to purchase the first delicious item you see and continue buying until both hands are full.

Beyond food, vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, clothes, children’s toys, electronic accessories and household goods. More than 100 stalls have been reported around Jalan Badik 16 and 19, although the actual turnout may change each week.

Most cooked-food vendors are Malay or Muslim-run, making this one of the more halal-friendly markets on the list. Formal halal certification, however, should still be confirmed directly with each business.

Saturday: Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Night Market 皇后花园夜市

Also known as: TUTA Saturday Night Market
Operating hours: Saturday, approximately 4.30pm–10pm
Number of stalls: More than 100 stalls; commonly described as one of JB’s largest night markets
Food category: Mixed Chinese and Malay food; halal-friendly and non-halal dishes are sold
Location: Jalan Perkasa 5, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 17km

Saturday is when the night-market experience goes into full festival mode. Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, commonly shortened to TUTA, is frequently described as one of Johor Bahru’s largest pasar malams—and once the evening crowd arrives, it certainly feels that way.

Visitors can spend a long time simply deciding what to eat. Possible choices include freshly grilled satay, keropok lekor, fried carrot cake, Penang laksa, rojak, Nyonya kuih, fried skewers and modern creations such as handmade fruit or cream-cheese mochi. Drinks are equally colourful, ranging from traditional soya bean milk to bright mango, grape and other flavoured beverages.

This is not a market where you buy one snack and leave. Most people begin with something savoury, add a drink because the weather is warm, spot a dessert while walking and then suddenly remember that they also need breakfast for the next morning.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, clothes, shoes, toys and household goods are spread across the market too. As it serves a mixed community, both halal-friendly and non-halal foods are available, so Muslim visitors should check with individual vendors.

TUTA is about 17km by road from JB CIQ, though the journey can take longer when Saturday traffic builds around the market.

Sunday: Larkin Aman Sunday Night Market

Operating hours: Sunday, approximately 4pm–9pm
Number of stalls: Up to 265 licensed lots
Food category: Mainly Malay and halal-friendly food
Location: Jalan Gagah, Kawasan Perindustrian Larkin, 80350 Johor Bahru
Approximate distance from JB CIQ: Around 7–8km

Sunday evening does not have to mean staying home and worrying about Monday. At Larkin Aman, visitors can squeeze in one final street-food adventure before the weekend officially ends.

The market is particularly suitable for anyone who enjoys traditional Malay food and snacks. Depending on the vendors present, visitors may find grilled items, fried noodles, nasi dishes, mini apam balik, kuih, fresh drinks and east-coast-inspired favourites. Satay ikan and other fish-based snacks may also appear, giving the market a different character from Chinese-majority night markets such as Impian Emas.

It is the kind of place where families can buy dinner, pick up fruit and vegetables for the coming week and reward themselves with dessert for completing the grocery shopping. Clothing, small household items and other practical goods may also be found among the food stalls.

MBJB lists Larkin as a Sunday night-market location with 265 licensed trading lots. The actual number of occupied stalls can be lower, particularly during rainy weather or holiday periods. The Jalan Gagah location is roughly 7–8km by road from JB CIQ, depending on the route used.

Important Information Before Visiting

Night-market operating hours and stall participation may change without advance notice. Heavy rain can cause some vendors to open late, close early or skip the market entirely. Public holidays, Ramadan, Chinese New Year and other festive periods may also affect the selection of stalls.

The food labels in this guide describe the general mix of vendors. “Halal-friendly” does not necessarily mean that every stall holds formal halal certification. Muslim visitors should check with the individual vendor when unsure, especially at mixed markets where non-halal food may be prepared or sold nearby.

Approximate distances are based on road travel from Johor Bahru CIQ. The distance and travelling time may differ slightly depending on the driver’s route, road closures and evening congestion.