Malaysia is truthfully one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and my recent trip to Perlis - the smallest and northernmost state in Malaysia - has opened my eyes to many more amazing wonders.
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| Nat Pokok Getah Arau at Perlis, Malaysia: Authentic Local Market |
Nat Pokok Getah Arau at Perlis, Malaysia
Authentic Local Market in Perlis
Nat Pokok Getah is more than just a morning market: it is a copybook example of everything Malaysia represents. Amidst the bustling carts loaded with commodities and freshly harvested produce, the locals - both young and old - gather blithely to share a hearty breakfast, stock up on household necessities, or simply to discuss their plans for the day.
Read also:
10 Must-Try Local Food in Perlis
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| An elderly man in his vehicle at Nat Pokok Getah |
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| An elderly vendor selling vegetables at Nat Pokok Getah |
Time passes slower in the northern countryside.
The locals have chosen to live fully and nonchalantly in the present. There is no hurry or pressure in getting things done. Every smile is sincere, and every conversation struck bears a purpose. Life is perceptibly more meaningful, joyful and composed here.
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| A vegetable seller at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| A food vendor at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Breakfast at Nat Pokok Getah can be a rewarding experience |
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| A butcher at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
Local Produce of Perlis
Nat Pokok Getah is a wonderland for both culinary experts and seasoned home cooks. Nat translates to a market, and pokok getah means rubber tree. Located within a rubber estate in Pauh, vendors from across the region come together to form this morning market on Fridays and Sundays. It first started in 1998, and has thrived ever since as it has been bringing profitability to the vendors and convenience to the buyers.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the market is that it is always shaded - all thanks to the huge surrounding rubber trees that form a natural canopy.
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| The rubber trees surround the market to form a natural canopy |
Perlis is the perfect starting point for those looking to discover and explore the amazing raw ingredients and yields from this region. Bordering Thailand's Satun province, it harvests the best crops both countries have to offer:
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| Pekasam are typically freshwater fishes preserved in salt, tamarind, brown sugar and roasted rice. |
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| The seasonal and highly demanded Perlis Sunshine Gold mangoes |
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| Burung Puyoh or Japanese quails |
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| Burung Puyoh or the Japanese quails |
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| Buah Kerdas or Genuak - a type of edible stinky fruit |
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| Urap Jagung (steamed corn with grated coconut), Ubi Kayu or tapioca, and Emping Padi (young green rice with grated coconut) |
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| Pre-made sauces and condiments for popular Malay dishes |
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| A vendor arranging his goods for sale. |
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| A fish vendor at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| A variety of local mollusks |
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| More mollusks |
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| At RM10 per plate it's an absolute steal! |
Cheap & Authentic Local Food
It was quite an experience to have my breakfast here. The selection is kept strictly and delightfully Malay - packed with immense flavors and spices. Best of all, visitors can enjoy a satisfying meal completed with a drink and dessert for just under RM10.
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| Local food sold at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Mee Sup Daging at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Nasi Ayam at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Beautiful donuts sold at the market |
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| Fresh goat milk |
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| An "economy rice" stall that allows customers to select any combination of dishes, typically served with a portion of rice or noodles. |
Live Animals, Secondhand Goods & Antiques
Besides fresh produce and food, there is an entire section at Nat Pokok Getah dedicated to selling unconventional items such as live animals (either for eating or as pets - I honestly cannot tell the difference today anymore), rare antiques and bundle - a local slang for used clothes.
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| Live animals sold at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Fishes sold at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Fishes sold at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Antiques sold at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Old artifacts sold at Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis |
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| Traditional alternative Malay medicine |
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| Used phones and gadgets |
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| Used shoes sold at the market |
Local Tobacco & Kopi Timbang
One of the highlights of the trip was trying out the local tobacco and coffee in Perlis.
The tobacco is like nothing I've seen before - they come in sheets and are sold by the gram. There are different flavors and intensity to suit individual preferences, and these roll-your-own cigarettes are a lot more economical compared to commercial brands.
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| Local tobacco is manufactured in the form of sheets and is sold by the gram. |
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| A vendor preparing an order by cutting the sheets and weighing the tobacco |
Kopi Timbang or "scale coffee" is local coffee sold by weighing it on the scale. There are two variations available - black and white - which already have sugar added in them.
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| Kopi Timbang or local Perlis coffee sold at Nat Pokok Getah |
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| The machine used to grind the local coffee beans |
Nat Pokok Getah in Perlis is a sight to behold. It can easily be ranked as one of the top attractions in this tiny state located at the top of Malaysia and right below the Satun province of Thailand. Don't forget to include this as your travel destination when you visit the region in the future. Happy exploring!
Contact Information
Address: Kampung Kubang, 02600 Arau, Perlis
Opening time: 8am-1pm
Don't forget to share your travel & dining moments with us on Instagram by tagging @rollinggrace or #RollingGrace. Happy travelling!
Menarik market ni..macam-macam ada. A must pit stop 😆😆
ReplyDeletethanks sharing thia attractive local market. maybe next year i will to the north and visit here
ReplyDeleteaduhaiiii bestnya , memang bekum
ReplyDeletepernah jalan2 dekat Perlis ...tapi tengok pun hati tenang dan senang...bahan mentah dan makanan pun murah....nanti saya ada peluang pwrgi pasti akan rujuk entry ni ....kopi timbang tu dah boleh bau sedapnya....
lama tak dengar perkataan nat. haha rinduuu kampung halaman. memang best kalau dapat pi nat, berjam2 dok pusing dalam tu. rindunyaaa
ReplyDeleteKalau kat tempat kita ada juga pasar macam ni setiap hari Ahad dan memang akan jualan semua orang kampung tempatan dan juga boleh dapat pelbagai sayuran tempatan yang pelik-pelik seronok sebab murah-murah...
ReplyDeleteSeeonok tengok pasar macam ni.. Ada macam2 jualan, dari brg basah, maknan sayuran.. Semuala.. Pasti murah2 semuanya. Rasa nak ke perlis je.. Ehehe
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that the only times I went to Perlis were to cross the border to and from Thailand. Never actually took the time to explore the state. I should do that next time.
ReplyDeletePerghhh ini kalau Sis dapat pergi pasar macam ni, mau habis borong semua dah.. mata nampak petai dan kerdas, juga burung puyuh tu haaa..adoii masak lomak cili api sedapnyaaaa...
ReplyDeleteI miss going to Pasar like this and I only do this when I am back at my hometown.. :P Miss the environment and my childhood too as I grow up helping my grandma at the market :)
ReplyDeleteMacam2 ada kat lokal market ni, yang paling menarik perhatian saya ialah ikan guppies, telur puyuh dan juga fresh goat milk.
ReplyDeleteBESTNYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
ReplyDeleteI suka this kind of pasar malam! Bestnyaaaa kalau dapat kat tmpt i sendiri!
Semua lengkap untuk bahan memasaknya! makanan best lagi! ;)
It has been a while after my last time visit here. This day market is better as its cold in between many tree. I will visit again if drop by to Perlis
ReplyDeleterindunya nak pegi pasar. tak syok la covid ni buatkan pasar takde. hmm
ReplyDeleteTerangnya gambar, cantik and I like it. Lama tak pergi pasar sejak PKP
ReplyDeleteDiela suka sangat pasar macam ni. Sebab diela asal dari kampung.. Kalau balik kampung mesti pegi pasar macam ni, macam2 ada.. Menggamit kenangan betul. Tq
ReplyDelete