The gorgeous mining town of Bau in Malaysia has a lot to offer to tourists, aside from its breathtaking natural parks, dramatic waterscapes, and quaint public squares. If you are the type of tourist who is fond of going on exciting food crawls, you should experience dining in the vibrant Siniawan Night Market. This fascinating night market has delicious specialties on offer, including street food, sumptuous dishes, a variety of alcoholic drinks, fruit punches, and other authentic local delights that you should not miss out on. Operational every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, be sure to immerse yourself in Malaysia’s charming culture while you’re here. For your guidance, here is a guide to Siniwan Night Market that you should refer to so you know what to expect in the food market. Feel free to browse below.
1. Things to do / Highlights
Once you get into the vibrant night market of Siniawan, refer to this helpful list of things to do so you don’t miss out on important attraction. Whether you’re into street food, snacks, or must-try local dishes, Siniawan Night Market has a lot to offer tourists who want to learn more about the culture of this charming town and those who want to try local food. See how this little heritage site comes alive at night.
Immerse yourself in the area's old-town charm
Siniawan Night Market is a lovely little area in Bau that has mostly Chinese inhabitants. The place is known for its vibrant nightlife and a fantastic site for a food crawl. It has a plethora of eateries that sell delicious culinary delights, and the street is lined with tables and chairs that customers can use to enjoy their food. Experience a traditional hawker’s market in Malaysia by visiting this night market. Be sure to try as many local specialties as you can.
Visit Siniawan Temple
You might want to go to Siniawan Night Market just before dark so you have spare time to visit the temple and pay your respects. It is one of the most visited attractions in this public market. Here, you can light some incense and say a few prayers. You can also take souvenir pictures while on the temple grounds.
2. What to eat
If you want a taste of authentic Malaysian specialties as well as other Asian delights, Siniawan Night Market will overwhelm you with a multitude of options. What better way to maximize your food crawl than by sampling cuisines that are authentic to the foreign cities you visit, right? Here is a list of local delicacies that you should not miss out on while visiting the market.
Lemang periuk kera
In English, lemang periuk kera translates to “pitcher plant rice”. Extremely popular during Eid, this traditional night market staple is one of the best selling delicacies here, to the point that it faces extreme demand in the whole of Malaysia. This dish is basically a delicacy that is made from glutinous rice and coconut milk. It is typically baked in bamboo.
Ngo hiang
A delicacy influenced by the Indos to the Malays, ngo hiang is another must-try food in Siniawan Night Market. It is basically a pork roll marinated in herbs and spices and wrapped in beancurd skin. You can eat it as it is, pair it with a cold beer, and even enjoy it with rice.
Lei cha
Whether you have Asian ancestry or you are someone who has developed a taste for Indian food, you might want to make the most of your Asian food crawl here. Add the flavorful lei cha on your list of local food to try. This is a healthy vegetarian dish that is sometimes paired with rice. It has a multitude of ingredients, including mung beans, aduki beans, pickled radish, tofu, leek, kale, cabbage, a variety of roasted nuts, and more. Plus, oolong tea is added to it for flavor.
3. Travelers tips
Make friends with the locals, especially vendors
Whenever you visit new cities, it is best that you have your friendliest smile on. This is the best way to make friends with locals. Be sure to apply this when you visit Siniawan Night Market. Asian people are known for being nice and polite. Make friends with locals and get helpful tips for your vacation in Bau. Additionally, when vendors find you polite, they may give you discounts on your food orders or add a little extra.
Know the opening hours
This night market is only operational on the nights of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In the morning, the place is typically a regular market for local goods. If your goal is to go on a food crawl, be sure to arrive sometime between 6 pm to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and between 4 pm to 11 pm on a Sunday.
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4. How to get there
Take the bus
The best way to go to Siniawan Night Market is to take a bus. Hitch a ride from Bau Transport Company with a signage that says Bus #2. Passengers on the way to the market are dropped off at the main road, close to Siniawan Bazaar. After this, it will only take you five minutes to walk to the destination.
Book a Grab
If you want a hassle-free journey straight from your accommodation, you can always book the ride-hailing app Grab. Choose whatever time you want to visit without worrying about falling in line for tickets at the bus station.
Siniawan Night Market information
Siniawan Night Market
Address: Siniawan, 94000 Bau, Sarawak, Malaysia
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 6pm - 11pm; Sun: 4pm - 11pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
Department of toursm: Official Website of Tourism Malaysia
History
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