Bukit Mertajam: Jalan Pasar Hawker Centre

Also known as Pek Kong Cheng Hawker Centre, this hawker food centre is a popular food destination located near the Tua Pek Kong Cheng Temple at Jalan Pasar in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. It offers a wide variety of local Malaysian street food, including favorites like char koay teow, curry mee, chicken rice, and Hokkien mee. The hawker center is known for its lively atmosphere, with many food stalls and seating areas that attract both locals and tourists. It’s a great place to experience authentic Penang cuisine and the local food culture.

Hungry Ghost Festival at Bukit Mertajam

The Hungry Ghost Festival in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has been celebrated for over 130 years. This festival, rooted in Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, honors the spirits of deceased ancestors who are believed to roam the earth during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The event features various rituals, including offerings of food, paper money, and entertainment like Chinese opera and puppet shows, to appease these spirits. The festival remains a vibrant cultural tradition, attracting both locals and tourists to experience its unique customs.

The festival also hosts the giant effigy of Tai Su Yeah (Chinese version of King of Hades) which will then be paraded in the middle of Jalan Pasar on the night of Aug 20, where it will be burned and “sent back to the other world”, a ritual witnessed by thousands.

Bukit Mertajam: Old Streets View

BM Danby Road
Street View of Market Street (Jalan Pasar) in Bukit Mertajam Town.

BM Danby Road
Street View of Danby Street (Jalan Danby) in Bukit Mertajam Town.

The Bukit Mertajam market is just located nearby these two streets.