Choose your selection: Here at the Satok Weekend Market, one can sample a range of local delicacies such as the "ikan bakar" or "grilled fish" (above) at minimum prices besides the usual market items on sale.Picture: David Bowden
Sunday, July 20, 2008
IT'S easy to locate the Satok Weekend Market in Kuching — just listen for the din and follow the crowds.
Everyone loves visiting a new and exciting market especially when the range of goods is extensive and prices are kept to a minimum due to low overheads.
These markets located along Jalan Satok about 2km from the centre of the Sarawak capital should be on everyone's "must do" list when they next visit Kuching.
The action lasts from 2pm on Saturday afternoon till about noon on Sunday with a rest late on Saturday evening. While definitely a place for travellers to the city to visit, the markets are well patronised by the local people.
Traders set up their umbrellas, shelters and stalls to protect themselves from the relentless sun and possible rain showers. Others simply roll out a mat on the ground and display their wares in neat little piles for all to see.
Almost every piece of available pavement becomes occupied and movement through the markets is restricted especially during the busiest periods in the cooler parts of the day — late Saturday afternoon to evening and early Sunday morning.
There's an extensive wet market located here and for those with squeamish stomachs, this maybe a good area to pass.
For those who aren't offended by the sight of chickens not long for this world as well as those that are recently deceased, and all types of fish being gutted and chopped up for sale, then the wet markets are guaranteed to provide a great atmosphere.
Giant stingray to minute ikan bilis are on display alongside some more unusual living creatures such as frogs and molluscs. The hawkers here are the most vocal as they constantly try to lure shoppers in their general direction.
With prices much the same from stall to stall, one wonders how shoppers choose one vendor over another.
Move into the centre of the market and vegetables and fruits of all sizes, colour, aroma and variety constantly remind visitors of the abundance of produce from the tropics.
Huge chempedaks are literally manhandled to release the sweet juicy chunks of flesh and stuffed into small plastic bags for sale at just RM1 (40) each. Snake skin-like salak look a little anemic compared to their fully-bronzed Indonesian cousins.
The 20 types of bananas on display take on the appearance of a botanical identification parade with colours ranging from red to green to yellow, sizes as small as a thumb to those as big as a foot and levels of sweetness from saccharine to honey. Small plates laden with chillies of several varieties and ferocity are eagerly purchased by shoppers.
On neighbouring stalls, several varieties of durian are available, the deliciously sweet Sarawak pineapple, limes, lemons, sour sop and green vegetables of all description are on display.
Various jungle products are sold too with the fern-like midin being one of the more unusual.
Another is terongiban, a member of the eggplant family and the rosella-styled fruit called ucong is for those who like to discover new taste sensations. There are also stalls selling souvenirs from the state with the usual suspects of t-shirts, key chains, fridge magnets and postcards.
For something a little more authentic look out for local beadwork, silver jewellery and ikat cloth. Several types of local coffee roasted in margarine are sold — just follow the aroma of freshly grounded beans being sold by one of several traders. The good news is that nothing is over-priced and bargaining is always possible.
If you have space in your bag, the orchid sellers will especially package some of these very colourful plants, some of which originate from the rainforests. While not recommended as a souvenir for those who are travelling, the pet section is always popular with the locals, especially the kids.
To fully appreciate the sights, sounds and aromas of Kuching, a visit to the Satok Weekend Market is the place to be every Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning when next in the capital of Sarawak.
The Brunei Times
Everyone loves visiting a new and exciting market especially when the range of goods is extensive and prices are kept to a minimum due to low overheads.
These markets located along Jalan Satok about 2km from the centre of the Sarawak capital should be on everyone's "must do" list when they next visit Kuching.
The action lasts from 2pm on Saturday afternoon till about noon on Sunday with a rest late on Saturday evening. While definitely a place for travellers to the city to visit, the markets are well patronised by the local people.
Traders set up their umbrellas, shelters and stalls to protect themselves from the relentless sun and possible rain showers. Others simply roll out a mat on the ground and display their wares in neat little piles for all to see.
Almost every piece of available pavement becomes occupied and movement through the markets is restricted especially during the busiest periods in the cooler parts of the day — late Saturday afternoon to evening and early Sunday morning.
There's an extensive wet market located here and for those with squeamish stomachs, this maybe a good area to pass.
For those who aren't offended by the sight of chickens not long for this world as well as those that are recently deceased, and all types of fish being gutted and chopped up for sale, then the wet markets are guaranteed to provide a great atmosphere.
Giant stingray to minute ikan bilis are on display alongside some more unusual living creatures such as frogs and molluscs. The hawkers here are the most vocal as they constantly try to lure shoppers in their general direction.
With prices much the same from stall to stall, one wonders how shoppers choose one vendor over another.
Move into the centre of the market and vegetables and fruits of all sizes, colour, aroma and variety constantly remind visitors of the abundance of produce from the tropics.
Huge chempedaks are literally manhandled to release the sweet juicy chunks of flesh and stuffed into small plastic bags for sale at just RM1 (40) each. Snake skin-like salak look a little anemic compared to their fully-bronzed Indonesian cousins.
The 20 types of bananas on display take on the appearance of a botanical identification parade with colours ranging from red to green to yellow, sizes as small as a thumb to those as big as a foot and levels of sweetness from saccharine to honey. Small plates laden with chillies of several varieties and ferocity are eagerly purchased by shoppers.
On neighbouring stalls, several varieties of durian are available, the deliciously sweet Sarawak pineapple, limes, lemons, sour sop and green vegetables of all description are on display.
Various jungle products are sold too with the fern-like midin being one of the more unusual.
Another is terongiban, a member of the eggplant family and the rosella-styled fruit called ucong is for those who like to discover new taste sensations. There are also stalls selling souvenirs from the state with the usual suspects of t-shirts, key chains, fridge magnets and postcards.
For something a little more authentic look out for local beadwork, silver jewellery and ikat cloth. Several types of local coffee roasted in margarine are sold — just follow the aroma of freshly grounded beans being sold by one of several traders. The good news is that nothing is over-priced and bargaining is always possible.
If you have space in your bag, the orchid sellers will especially package some of these very colourful plants, some of which originate from the rainforests. While not recommended as a souvenir for those who are travelling, the pet section is always popular with the locals, especially the kids.
To fully appreciate the sights, sounds and aromas of Kuching, a visit to the Satok Weekend Market is the place to be every Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning when next in the capital of Sarawak.
The Brunei Times