Pasar Baru at Bukit Bingtang
Literally translated the name means "New market", but variously called the Imbi Market, Bukit Bintang New Market and Bintang Wet Market this open air public market operates only in the morning, and is originally and mainly a place for locals to buy fresh food for that days meals. However like most markets it also has breakfast and snack stalls, and at Pasar Baru those have grown over the years until this has become one of the most interesting places to eat in the city.
A combination produce, garment and snack market this is just a stones throw away from the high-rise glamour of Bukit Bingtang itself, but is a step back into traditional rural Malaysian living.
Come here for breakfast from the amazing range of open air stalls, take snacks to eat as you walk or sit in the courtyards to taste the flavors not only of Malaysia but of many neighboring cultures as well.
Getting there
Walk along Jalan Gading, which is the side street off of Jalan Bukit Bintang between Farenheitt 88 and JW Marriott hotel, as far as Jalan Imbi, there on the corner you can see the start of the green open area which houses the market. There is a large covered market building inside which is the fruits and vegetables etc, but also smaller stalls holding the breakfast foods.Just walk on in and follow the crowds and the smell of delicious foods and coffee!
When to go
Only serving things in the morning this market is opening after 6am and the last stalls close before midday. But really it is for breakfast, so 9am is the latest normal time for people to eat here. On Monday the wet market is closed.
Favorite dishes
Hainanese food from the Chinese island of Hainan is actually very popular here as they serve a great Hainanese coffee or "kofi" which is actually a blend of coffee and tea and great for breakfast. Eat this with "half boiled eggs" which are served as a raw egg with a mug of boiling water, you leave the egg inside the water for longer or shorter time depending on your preference. About 5 minutes gives you the perfect half-boiled egg which is just barely set. Normally eaten with toast or traditional crispy pancakes called apom.
You'll also find Malaysian popiah being made by the famous Two Sisters stall which is run by two sisters! This is a kind of thin spring roll which is not at all oily and contains many interesting falvours. The two sisters make a special type they call "Crispy Popiah" and it is now very famous and other stalls around the city sell them.
Shopping
After breakfast buy some fruit to take with you in the market, or check out the daily items such as clothes, saucepans and utensils, children's toys and sandals and flipflops which are on sale from the many temporary but daily stalls.