Top 20 fun things to enjoy in Kota Kinabalu! (No. 14 – Explore the waterside markets)
Top 20 fun things to enjoy in Kota Kinabalu! (No.14 - Explore the waterside markets)
Today we’re exploring three markets which are actually just one market! Confused? OK, let’s try to explain!
The market(s) are located on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, that’s the main road that runs along the shoreline in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. As mentioned there are actually three markets so you may hear the area described as any of the markets that we talk about below!
The market(s) are open daily and have been in Kota Kinabalu for as long as anyone can remember…
Handicraft Market
This indoor market consists of many semi-permanent stalls that are actually small shops and which cater mainly for the ladies selling items such as pearls, crystal, costume jewellery, casual handbags and souvenirs - most of the items are hand-made, many locally. Outside the front of the market you’ll see local tailors working hard with their manual sewing-machines so if you need a pair of trousers shortened look no further!
Filipino Market
Lots of local dry snacks here, often referred to by the unusual English word ‘tidbits’. These are most recognisible as biscuits and are very sweet made from flour and brown sugar. Samples availabe so ‘try before you buy’. Good to munch on the beach, on the tour or in your hotel room and don’t forget to take some home for family, friends and colleagues.
Also on sale are dry seafood, many marked as Ikan Bilis that’s Malay for dried anchovy.
If you’re feeling hot why not sit down, relax and try some genuine fresh cocoanut?
Night Market
Open every day from 4 p.m. the market adjoins the Filipino Market and is next to the sea. Two main products on sale here…the first is vegetables or ‘local veggie’ to Sabahans. The market stall traders acts as wholesalers and the majority of customers are local restaurants or individuals. Most of the veg is produced on the fertile land near the towns of Kundasang and Ranau (by Kinabalu National Park) and Tambunan and the quality is outstanding and the price cheap. You can buy tomatoes, aubergines, green beans and all manner of green veg similar to spinach that I’ve not enjoyed anywhere else.
For the second the clue is in the first paragraph above (‘next to the sea’). Yes fish, and this does a roaring trade and there’s no disputing the freshness.
You’ll also see in the night market local fruit, seafood such as lobster, tiger-prawn and crab, meat such as chicken, chillis and condiments such as pepper for sale.
Top Tip for Visitors:
The Handicraft Market & Filipino Market are open from morning to evening - daily.
The Night Market is open from 4 p.m. also daily.
Our recommendation is to visit the markets late afternoon / early evening when the Night Market is open as this is a great local and authentic experience…and of course it will be a little bit cooler once the sun has gone down.
Don’t forget to bargain in the Handicraft Market (the other markets are fixed-price).
All markets accept cash only (Ringgit Malaysia / MYR).
About Martin
Martin is a British expat living in Kota Kinabalu who arranges tailored tours within Sabah primarily for British and Western tourists on behalf of Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency. Please help spread the word about beautiful Sabah and share this post using the social share buttons below.