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The Jonker Street Night Market is a must do if you are visiting Malacca in 2026. This beautiful night food market is a collection and celebration of the incredible variety of street food in Malaysia. This night market is genuinely THE BEST night market we have experienced in Malaysia. It has lively and happy vibes and sells an awesome range of fascinating, bizarre and tempting foods. Just strolling through the market is an experience in itself.
In this article we will tell you everything you need to know to plan your visit to the jonker street night market.
Looking for somewhere amazing to stay? Don’t miss our guide on the BEST hotels in Malacca
You may also be interested in our guide on How to take a Malacca river cruise
When can you visit the Jonker street night market?
The jonker market is open every Friday evening from around 5:00 p.m. until late at night. The entire Jonker street is shut down from traffic and becomes a bustling walking street with many food stalls and a few stores selling clothing, gifts and accessories.
The best time to visit the jonker street food market is early evening, around 6:00pm. It can get very busy later in the evening and many of the food stalls can become depleted. Visiting early in the evening is recommended because it is not too busy and many of the stalls still have plenty of food available.
Join The Backpacking Family at Jonker Street
How much does it cost to visit the jonker street night market?
It is free of charge to visit the Jonka night market. There are no entry tickets or fees. However, we do recommend bringing along plenty of money to buy a variety of tempting treats, delicious street food and refreshing drinks.
What STRANGE FOOD can you get at the Jonker night market?
The Jonker Street Night Market has an impressive range of different types of street food. Here are some of the most bizarre and fascinating foods available on the market…
Deep fried crispy crabs
These crunchy critters are surprisingly tasty. Flavoured with subtle spices the whole crab is deep fried. Just east them whole.
Deep fried ice cream
Running with the deep fried theme why not try deep fried ice cream? Fried dough on the outside and ice cream in the middle. We managed to find a vendor that offered this strange snack. If you’re wondering, the ice cream doesn’t melt in the middle as long as you eat it quickly.
BBQ Quails Egg balls
Yep, you read that right. Quails egg balls are a little like mini round pancakes with a quails egg inside. If you have tried tekoyaki (the Japanese snack before) they are a bit like this.
Potato spirals
An alternative to french fries why not try a long potato spiral. Super cheap for around RM5 this is a tasty treat. You can also get various flavours with added spices and sauces. It may be bizarre but it is definitely tasty.
Dragon beard candy
This snack as is strange as its name. Dragon beard candy is like a dense, chewy and nutty version of candy floss – and a little less sweet. It’s also fun watching it being made.
The hardest candy in the world
Don’t miss this ridiculously tough candy. It looks a little like toffee – but is somehow harder. They use a hammer and chisel to serve it. In fact, this stuff is so ridiculously tough to eat we tried a little and left the bag. Really selling it to you aren’t we?!
It’s not all weird food
The Jonker street food market also has some SUPER tasty classics too. The most famous and popular food at the jonker night market is the local fish. You can buy a wide range of different types of shellfish, squid, clams, muscles, shrimps and much more.
The seafood is not super cheap but it is super tasty. Served with a range of flavours from lemon, garlic, and spicy this is a must do for every seafood lover.
They also have stalls selling fast food such as burgers and chips. You can find snacks such as popcorn, ice creams and fried food on sticks. There are many places selling fried rice and noodles. It is possible to buy drinks such as chinese teas, soft drinks and fruit juices.
How much does food and drinks cost at the Jonker street food market?
Food starts at around RM3 for local snacks on the Jonker food market. Most dishes range from RM5 – 10 for a portion. If you are looking to buy seafood expect to pay RM15 – RM50 depending on what you want. ALSO be aware that there can be quite long wait times at the seafood stalls – especially later in the evening.
What are the BEST places to stay in Malacca?
Travellers Diary Guest House
If you are looking for a high quality and low cost option check out the Travellers Diary Guest House. Rooms range in price from around £10 – £20. Their largest room can host up to 4 people. The Travellers Diary Guest House is also in an excellent location, a few minutes walk from Jonker street and the river. This Guest House is clean, simple and a reliable option.
The Majestic Malacca Hotel
The Majestic Malacca Hotel is an impressive colonial style boutique hotel. The main disadvantage is that they only have double or twin rooms available (so cannot accommodate families or larger groups). Rooms cost around £100 per night at the Majestic Malacca Hotel. We are very impressed with the elegance of this property. This lovely hotel even has a swimming pool and spa – also the local food served at the restaurant is absolutely fantastic.
DoubleTree by Hilton Malacca
If you are looking for a luxurious 5 star stay then check out the DoubleTree by Hilton. This is the best option if you want the decadence and luxury of the Hilton Brand. In true Hilton style there is a wide range of rooms and suites to choose from. Interiors are stylish and modern and this hotel is equipped with all of the facilities and amenities that you would hope for in a 5 star hotel including outstanding dining options and a swimming pool. Rooms range in price from £60 – £250 per night here. This hotel is located on the sea front but is a little way from the Malacca old town.
