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I’ve been to a few night markets in Malaysia in 2024, and the feel and atmosphere is very different from the ones in Singapore.
I would not even say that the ones in Singapore are cleaner or more hygienic. Looking at the prices of the food items of the pasar malams in Singapore, they cost more than coffee shops in the area.
I was just wondering, why would anyone shop there?
In Malaysia, the Pasar Malams are generally quite cheap, because they are mostly permits and rent costs (which are much lower than Singapore). The ones that are in touristy areas like Jalan Alor is simply a tourist trap, the rents are very high, so the food prices are very expensive. Quality of the food of these Pasar Malams are also very mediocre, just because they have sheer foot traffic.
Back to Pasar Malam in Singapore, in 2023, the rentals for Gelang Serai Pasar Malam hits $25,000 for a booth, the food and things are sold at such a markup that you can find cheaper food across the road at a food court or hawker center.
Certain food items like Ramly burgers might incur additional premium costs on top of the base rental, and I would say the price of Ramly burgers have almost doubled since 2020, and I’ve seen $7 burgers before.
The quality has also gone down. The good Ramly burgers used to cut the patty into…
