If you’re a Singaporean who loves exploring night markets in JB (Johor Bahru) — perhaps chasing flavours and local culture after a daytrip or weekend escape — this guide maps the best markets day‑by‑day, what you can expect to shop and eat, plus insider tips so you get answers to popular online queries like “Which JB pasar malam is best for food?”, “Travel tips from Singapore to JB pasar malam” and “Night markets open late near the Causeway”.
Disclaimer: I may not have personally visited all the night markets covered in this guide. The details are based on my own experiences, insights from friends, and information gathered online. Night market hours, food offerings, and vendor availability can vary, so it’s recommended to double-check before your visit.
General Night Market Info — What You Should Know
Opening Time: Most night markets start around 5:00 PM, but the crowd usually builds from 6:30 PM onwards, especially on weekends. Arrive early if you want the best picks and shorter queues.
Travel Tip: Some night markets lack formal addresses — use Grab and tell the driver the market name or pasar malam nearby. It’s a reliable way to reach even lesser‑known spots.
Food Variety: Expect a mix of Malay, Chinese and fusion snacks and dishes — from char kuey teow and satay to muah chee, desserts, fresh juices, and local drinks.
Monday — KSL City Mall Night Market & More
1. KSL City Mall / Century Garden Night Market
📍 Near Jalan Seladang / Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Century
🕐 Opens ~5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (strong crowds 6:30 PM onwards)
On Monday nights, the streets outside KSL City Mall transform into a bustling market with stalls selling street food, clothes, accessories, toys, souvenirs, shell items, and knick‑knacks. It’s one of the easiest night markets for Singaporeans to visit — just a short taxi or Grab ride from the JB checkpoint.
What to Shop: Casual apparel, quirky souvenirs, fruit drinks, kids’ toys, handbags, kitchen items
Best Food to Try:
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Oyster Omelette (Orh Jian) – crispy edges with fresh, juicy oysters
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Muah Chee – chewy peanut mochi
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Thai mango sticky rice & pancakes
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Grilled squid & satay sticks
Local’s Favourite: The stinky tofu and popia goreng — crispy, savory treats enjoyed after a day of shopping.
Tip: Coming straight from Singapore? Go early to beat the queues at popular food stalls. The crowd peaks after 7:30 PM.
2. Setia Indah Garden Night Market
📍 Setia Indah
A smaller, friendly neighbourhood market with a good mix of local eatery stalls and affordable items. Perfect for Singaporeans who enjoy mixing local JB life with fresh food finds.
3. Pasar Malam Kampung Melayu Majidee
📍 Kampung Melayu Majidee
Unlike the bigger KSL scene, this market gives you a more authentic Malay pasar malam vibe — expect hearty local dishes and fruit drinks.
Tuesday — Johor Jaya & Pelangi/Rainbow Garden
1. Johor Jaya Night Market
📍 Taman Johor Jaya
🕐 ~5:00 PM onwards
One of JB’s busiest Tuesday markets, Johor Jaya brings together food stalls, fresh produce, and affordable clothes in a vibrant setting. Singaporean foodies often come here after a shopping run for Apam Balik, Char Koay Kak, grilled meats, and healthier juices.
What to Shop: Trendy clothes, mobile accessories, homeware
Best Foods:
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Char Koay Kak (rice cake strips stir‑fried)
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Apam Balik (sweet pancake)
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Nasi lemak in mini portions
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Spicy seafood skewers
Local’s Favourite: Mua Chee stalls — soft, glutinous bites with sweet peanut powder.
2. Pelangi Garden / Rainbow Garden Night Market
📍 Pelangi Garden
A colourful, crowd‑pleasing night market that often gets overlooked by tourists but loved by locals for its relaxed atmosphere and variety of foods.
Wednesday — Bukit Indah / Taman Sentosa / Taman Daya / Taman Ungku Tun Aminah
Wednesday is your night market jackpot evening, with multiple options within a short distance.
1. Bukit Indah Night Market
📍 Bukit Indah
Great for families and couples, Bukit Indah offers a balanced mix of fresh produce, snacks, and cooked food like Penang laksa and roast duck, with affordable sweets for dessert.
Local’s Tip: Try the Apam Balik here — it’s a popular sweet choice after grilled dishes.
2. Taman Sentosa / Eastern Garden
📍 Taman Sentosa
Smaller but lively — expect robust local favourites like satay, keropok, and refreshing bubble teas.
3. Sagu Taman Daya Night Market
📍 Taman Daya
A neighbourhood crowd pleaser with budget‑friendly snacks and fun buys.
Thursday — Impian Emas / Bandar Selesa Jaya / Taman Megah Ria / Austin Crest
Thursday offers a nice variety of mid‑week markets — a good night to explore local life beyond typical tourist hubs.
1. Impian Emas Night Market
📍 Taman Impian Emas
A hidden gem with a relaxed pace and diverse stalls. Fresh produce, seafood, cooked meals, and local snacks abound. The laksa and chicken chop are local favourites.
2. Bandar Selesa Jaya Night Market
📍 Selesa Jaya
Less crowded, more community‑centric — ideal for budget snacks and casual strolls.
3. Taman Megah Ria / Austin Crest Markets
📍 Megah Ria / Austin Crest
Smaller markets but great for casual clothes and home décor plus local eats.
Friday — Taman Puteri Wangsa / Taman Universiti
Fridays in JB feel like pre‑weekend celebrations.
1. Taman Puteri Wangsa Night Market
📍 Puteri Wangsa
A compact but lively evening market with a strong local crowd. Favourite eats here include Penang laksa, fresh fried noodles, grilled meats, and snacks like keropok lekor.
2. Taman Universiti Night Market
📍 Taman Universiti
Shows more variety in clothes and accessories alongside casual eats — a favourite among students and young crowds.
Saturday — Taman Ungku Tun Aminah / Perling & Desa Tebrau
Saturday is arguably the busiest pasar malam day in Johor Bahru.
1. Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Night Market
📍 Ungku Tun Aminah
One of JB’s largest night markets — many say it can take 1–1.5 hours to explore every stall! Expect a huge mix of clothing, electronics, plants, household items, and gourmet street food.
Best Munchies:
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Jia Jia soya milk (local creamy favourite)
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Leong Kee fried carrot cake
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A fusion of Thai, Malay and Chinese snacks
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Bubble teas and fresh juices
2. Perling Night Market
📍 Taman Perling
Equally popular and lively, the Perling night market is well-loved for its variety of food stalls and casual neighbourhood vibe. Great if you want solid street food options without navigating the largest crowds.
3. Desa Tebrau Night Market
📍 Desa Tebrau
A slightly calmer alternative — great for families and those who prefer browsing without hustle and bustle.
Sunday — Permas Jaya / Taman Sri Skudai
Sunday markets make a perfect close to a foodie weekend trip.
1. Permas Jaya Sunday Night Market
📍 Permas Jaya
One of JB’s largest Sunday markets — popular for cheap eats, clothing, accessories, bags, toys, and Thai or Taiwanese street food.
Local’s Favourite: Char kway teow, Thai desserts, fresh juice stands.
2. Taman Sri Skudai Night Market
📍 Skudai
A smaller Sunday option with more emphasis on groceries and fresh produce.
Bonus Night Market — Pasar Karat (Bazaar JB) Night Market
If you’re a Singaporean night market lover planning a longer evening in Johor Bahru, one night market that’s very different from the weekly pasar malams is Pasar Karat (Bazar JB) — a sprawling flea market experience that doubles as one of JB’s most iconic night‑time hangouts.
📍 Location: Jalan Segget, central Johor Bahru — just about a 10‑minute Grab ride from the Woodlands or Tuas checkpoint, and near landmarks like JB Sentral, R&F Mall, and Johor Bahru City Square.
🕐 Opening Hours:
• Tuesday–Sunday: ~6 PM – 2 AM (busiest from ~8:30 PM)
• Monday: Generally closed (market vibe restarts Tuesday)
Pasar Karat is part flea market and part night bazaar, with rows of stalls that stretch along Jalan Segget and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. It’s known for being lively, bright, and open later than most pasar malam, making it a perfect after‑dinner stroll if you’re heading back to Singapore late.
What You Can Shop
🍢 Casual tees, cargo pants, bags and accessories — often at bargain prices similar to street stalls but with more variety.
📸 Occasional vintage and thrift finds — old cameras, enamelware, collectibles and quirky curious.
👟 Shoes, knockoff brand‑style items and inexpensive souvenirs — great for returning Singapore visitors.
What to Eat & Drink
🍢 Lokching — grilled Thai‑style sausage and skewers, smoky and charred over fire.
🍜 Mee Siput — crunchy local snack served with sweet sambal tumis.
🍦 Street snacks — from coconut ice cream and takoyaki to waffles, corn in cups, fresh fruit and cold drinks.
🍹 Trendy treats & desserts — sometimes dragon’s breath ice cream or fruity beverages.
Local Tips
• Come later: The atmosphere really picks up around 8:30 PM – 10 PM — that’s when most stalls are open and the lights are buzzing.
• Go for bargains: Pasar Karat is more about browsing, walking and soaking up the vibe rather than traditional grocery pasar malam shopping.
• Ride‑share recommended: Parking is limited and the area can get busy late at night — Grab/ride hailing helps especially if you’re heading back to Singapore afterwards.
💡 Why It’s Worth a Visit: Pasar Karat is one of JB’s most talked‑about night‑time markets, bringing together foodie finds, bargain shopping and late‑night ambience, all within walking distance of central Johor Bahru’s top spots.
Here are some frequently asked questions I’ve seen online, along with my (not-perfect but helpful) answers:
Q1: Which Johor Bahru night market is best for food lovers?
A: For food variety, KSL Night Market (Monday), Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (Saturday) and Permas Jaya (Sunday) are often highlighted for wide street food selection, from local favourites to international snacks.
Q2: Are JB night markets halal‑friendly?
A: Many stalls offer halal options, especially at markets with strong Malay vendor presence (like Puteri Wangsa and Taman Ungku Tun Aminah), but always check with stall owners if you require halal certification.
Q3: What time do JB night markets close?
A: Most start around 5:00–6:00 PM and wind down around 9:00–10:00 PM, though larger markets and places like Pasar Karat continue until midnight or later.
Q4: Can I go from Singapore to JB night markets without a car?
A: Yes — take a bus to Johor Bahru CIQ, then ride a Grab or local taxi to night markets. Some markets near city centre (like KSL) are closer to the Causeway, making transit easier.
Q5: Are these night markets safe for solo travellers?
A: Generally yes — these markets are lively and well‑frequented, though standard safety awareness is advised (watch your belongings, especially in crowded areas).
Q6: What’s the best day to visit if I want variety and local culture?
A: Saturday night at Ungku Tun Aminah offers maximum variety, while Monday at KSL/ Century Garden gives a great local vibe with fewer crowds for food first‑timers.
Travel & Shopping Tips from Singapore
✔ Use Grab from Johor Bahru CIQ — it’s usually more seamless than wandering for street names.
✔ Go early (5:00–6:30 PM) to beat crowds and secure the best bites.
✔ Carry small cash notes — many stalls don’t take e‑wallets, some accept Touch' n Go and DuitNow.