It's just your usual happy-go-lucky flea market, with some less-than-typical food vendors.
The fruit-and-vegetable salad called rojak is chock-a-block with crisp chunks of fruits and vegetables — this version sported bright red chunks of wood apple — though once tossed with a thick blend of shrimp paste, chili, sugar, and perhaps tamarind, it all came out brown (below). That's typical, even of the best version I've tried, but once you've been hooked on this sweet-sour-spicy salad, brown is beautiful.
Also shown below: the crispy pancake called apam balik, stuffed with sweet corn and crushed peanuts. Though it seems simple to make, apart from a single food bazaar I've never found it in New York.
Note: As of 2006, this flea market was active during the morning, near the City Stadium, but may have moved; if you visit Penang, consult your local listings.
Thieves Market
Penang, Malaysia
(From a December 2006 visit)
