01-07-2025
8 Under-the-radar Southeast Asian night markets worth staying up for
2. Kampung Baru Night Market (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
A cultural stronghold in KL since 1899, Kampung Baru is a rare Malay enclave that has largely resisted gentrification. While Petaling Street evolved into a tourist-centric Chinatown, Kampung Baru's Saturday night market remains unapologetically traditional. Expect banana leaf-wrapped nasi lemak, smoky satay, kuih in vibrant hues and, during durian season, the pungent fruit in all its glory. Development pressure persists, but locals and heritage groups are fiercely protective of the area's identity. 3. Kampot Night Market (Kampot, Cambodia)
Unlike Siem Reap's increasingly tourist-oriented Pub Street, Kampot's modest night market retains a distinctively local feel. Launched in the mid-2010s as part of a small-town revitalisation plan, it blends community fairground with street food haven. Mini amusement rides and live music lend it a family-friendly charm, while the food—especially the pepper crab, a nod to Kampot's spice-farming roots—remains the real draw. 4. Son Tra Night Market (Da Nang, Vietnam)
Located at the intersection of Mai Hắc Đế and Lý Nam Đế streets, right beside the iconic Dragon Bridge, Son Trà Night Market is Da Nang's most vibrant and family-friendly night stroll. Open daily from early evening until around 11 pm, this street market—one of several in this coastal town—draws a mix of locals and domestic travellers, offering a warm, authentic alternative to more tourist-centric markets. Set in a neighbourhood where locals gather to eat and socialise after work, Son Trà has retained a genuine community vibe, without the polish meant for tourists. 5. Bugis Street (Singapore)
Above Bugis Street in Singapore has undergone a Gen-Z evolution in recent years (Photo: Singapore Stock Photos/Unsplash)
Bugis Street's roots trace back to its heyday in the mid-20th century, when it was famed for its nightlife and street hawkers. Sanitised in the late '90s into a commercial arcade, its edge seemed long lost. Today, however, a new subculture is taking root: think indie sneaker sellers, obscure snack vendors and thrift fashion pop-ups. It's not a throwback, but a Gen Z-fuelled evolution.
Read more: Bugis food guide: 13 best restaurants, from Japanese to Singaporean fare 6. Pasar Malam Taman Connaught (Cheras, Kuala Lumpur)
Once a suburban curiosity in the '90s, Taman Connaught's Thursday night market now stretches over two kilometres, making it one of Malaysia's longest markets. Locals still flock here for Taiwanese-style street snacks, Ramly burgers, oyster omelettes and bargain clothing. While Petaling Street tilts increasingly touristy, Connaught holds on to its neighbourhood-night-out charm.
In case you missed it: 8 must-visit night markets in Taipei 7. Pasar Malam Bintulu / Bintulu Night Market (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Far from the crowds of Kota Kinabalu's Filipino Market or Kuching's Waterfront Bazaar, Bintulu's night market is a lesser-known gem on Borneo's northern coast. It's a showcase of Sarawakian street food—think raw fish umai, sago worms, jungle produce—and is largely run by vendors from rural longhouses and fishing villages. Unpolished, unpretentious and deeply local, it's one of the remaining night markets that still feel like a true community gathering. 8. Sudirman Street Night Market (Bandung, Indonesia)
As Jakarta's Tanah Abang and Glodok districts grew increasingly commercialised, Bandung stepped in as the cooler, more creative cousin. Sudirman Street Night Market, which opened in the 2010s, was envisioned as a walkable, hawker-style food destination that brings together Chinese-Indonesian street eats and youthful energy.
Here, the focus is all about flavour: steamed fish siomay, pillowy bakpao, crispy tofu and a spectrum of snacks that reflect Bandung's multicultural culinary heritage. Neon signage, bold murals and strings of fairy lights lend the space a lively, street-art-meets-night-bazaar atmosphere. Popular with students, young families and day-trippers from Jakarta, it's a market that feels both local and fresh.
