Penang - Air Itam Morning Market

Air Itam is a small town in Penang island located 6Km away from George Town. It has been developed slowly from a small town into a market place over the years since pre-war time. Early in every morning, apart from the indoor wet market and shop houses that sell varieties of items, mobile hawker stalls also take position along the road.

Air Itam morning market is one of the busiest market in Penang island mainly due to nearby residential developement projects which cause a focused population boom. The narrow road system in between old houses is imposible to further extend and has caused traffic congestion during peak hours.

Adjacent Kek Lok Si Temple, a must see tourist spot of Penang has added popularity to the morning market with curiousity driven tourists wandering into it looking for local items.

The Air Itam Dam, a popular spot for health conscious Penangites. The jeep road as well as hiking track entrance just located beside Kek Lok Si Temple. Early in the morning especially during weekends, they will come here for fresh air and hiking. These early birds will surely added to the morning market congestion by looking for hawkers' food there.

The morning market offers varieties of items, from vegetables, fruits, flowers, to spices, to fresh fish, meat, poultry and many more......

The spices.... Sweet, sour, salty, .... Curry powder for fish curry, chicken curry, prawn.....

Fruits. At a cheap price, from local as well as imports...

Fresh Vegies........

Fried eggs with onion for today? No? ...What about Fried eggs with "Chai Por" (preserved vegetable)?

Fresh coconut water will be just right for the hot day....

Want something different? what about sea coconut?

Still not to your taste? What about something more exotic?.... The "water chicken" as local called it, Frog!

Durian !!! The King of fruits! Penang is famous for durian. And Air Itam durian is fresh from durian orchards nearby. You can see durian plants along the way going up to Air Itam dam.

Red Prawn is not a prawn; Squirrel is not a squirrel; These are the names given to special breeds of durians ... There are also some with celebrities names....

Dried Chinese herbs....... and road side medicine man.

Deep Fried Oily Ghost "Yeow Char Kuai" for breakfast? It is nice to dip with "Kopi Or Kaw" (Black coffee).

"Ham Chee Peng" and "Hwa Chee" will also be nice when fresh.

.....Or let's go to the coffee shop for "Char Koay Teaw" or "Hokkien Mee",... May be double for today, a "Curry Mee" and a "Jawa Mee"... Plus

some "Or Kuih" (Steamed yam cake).

...... And "Tar Pau" back (pack home) some "Ban Chean Kuih", each with corn, banana, and peanut filling....

Another alternative, Malay kuih and Nasi Lemak...... A Malay boy helping at his mother's stall during weekend.

Fashion of latest designs... Or little dress for kids...

Traditional household items. Some foreign visitors buy home as decorative items to their home....

Beggar trying his luck,.... with that expectations filled eyes...

If you are in a hurry, want a hit and run type of purchases, motorcycle is the best choice.

The morning market is full of life, ..........

....the only way to understand it is ...you will have to come yourself to see the sight, smell the smells, hear the noise, feel the warmth......The Penang Air Itam Morning Market.