AT around 5pm every weekend, from Friday to Sunday, the main street of Siniawan town is transformed into a bustling food street that lives all night long until almost midnight.
While most visitors plan to reach the night market when everything is ready, the best time to be at this small cowboy town that is located in Bau, is actually during the set up time. This is the time you'll will see the transformation before the night finally starts its business at 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 5pm on Sundays, until 11pm.
This small town, located about 21 km or 30-minute drive from Kuching, used to be a thriving trading town in the old days. Business was affected when roads were developed and by-passed Siniawan to the other towns nearby.
So the Siniawan business community came up with the idea of having a weekend night food street to keep the town alive.
The night market was introduced in 2010, first becoming a hit with locals and soon making its way into various tours of Kuching.
THE WEEKEND FOOD STREET
Whether you're into street food, snacks, or delicious local dishes, Siniawan Night Market has a lot to offer tourists who want to try local food.
One of its famous delicacies at the Siniawan Night Market is a Bidayuh dish called pulut teramuok or lemang periuk kera which is glutinous rice cooked in a pitcher plant.
It is one of the 'trademark' foods you can find here along with other traditional Chinese, Malay and Dayak food.
There is also the flavourful lei cha, a healthy vegetarian dish that is sometimes paired with rice. It has various ingredients, including mung beans, aduki beans, pickled radish, tofu, leek, kale, cabbage, a variety of roasted nuts, and more. Oolong tea is also added to it for flavour.
Another favourite is kompiah – which are mini burger-like buns stuffed with meat and various fillings.
While there are many stalls selling Chinese food, there is also a Halal food section sold by Muslim traders.
Its many open-air stalls are set up and open for business with decorative red lanterns bobbing overhead, reflecting its Hakka Chinese heritage.
MORE THAN JUST A MARKET
Other than that, events like cultural performances, singing activities, traditional and modern musical shows are held from time to time at the old bazaar, which also offers a karaoke station.
Siniawan also has a lot to offer tourists such as its breathtaking natural parks, dramatic waterscapes, and quaint public squares. Experience the local Tian Xia Homestay for an overnight visit to further enjoy this cultural heritage site.
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How to get there
The best way to go to Siniawan Night Market is to take a bus. Hitch a ride from Bau Transport Company with a signage that says Bus #2.
Passengers on the way to the market are dropped off at the main road, close to Siniawan Bazaar.
After this, it will only take you five minutes to walk to the destination.
Alternatively, you can always book a Grab, from your accommodation.
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