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The 'Best Breakfast Place' In KL Is Relocating After 30 Years In Imbi Market

Traders in Imbi Market were notified by DBKL that they'll have to relocate to a new premise soon.

Cover image via Daniel Chan/TimeOut

Pasar Baru Bukit Bintang, or locally known as the Imbi Market, has been an iconic place in KL and known for its down-to-earth, bustling collection of great Malaysian food...

...and the best part is that they are both inexpensive and authentic!

Image via Connie Tsang
Image via OneFM William
Image via Eva Mok

Dubbed as one of the best breakfast places in KL, locals are usually spoilt for choice, from getting freshly-baked warm, flaky pastries to the good ol' nasi lemak

Image via Rebecca Saw

Aside from the usual sales of fresh meat and produce, Imbi Market is a food paradise hidden in the Kuala Lumpur city centre concrete jungle.

As one of the oldest surviving wet markets in KL, Imbi Market was previously known as Pasar Baru Bukit Bintang because the market was located at Bukit Bintang about 60 years ago. It has already moved several times from what is now the Fahrenheit 88 and Lot 10 shopping center to it's current premises at Jalan Melati, Imbi almost 30 years ago.

Imbi Market could be a chaotic, messy and smelly place especially during weekends, but locals love flocking the place not just to reminisce a way of life, but also because Imbi Market has a special appeal that cannot be found in most modern amenities.

Sadly, one of the last traditional markets in the city centre has to go after years of speculation, to make way for the ongoing Tun Razak Exchange development by 1MDB

Image via Siang Hong Lim

Malay Mail Online reported that about 250 traders were informed to vacate the premises from 24 March 24 to 31 March and shift to the Integrated Commercial Complex (ICC) by 1 April, according to a notice from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

However, apparently, the date has been extended to 15 April as the new building, located along Jalan Kijang and next to Pudu Plaza, is not ready yet.

Fruit seller Wong Kwai Cheng.

Image via Malay Mail Online

Talk among the traders is the date for relocation could possibly be April 15 but according to fruit seller Wong Kwai Cheng, it's just speculation as nothing in writing has been received from DBKL.

Some of them like kuih and snacks seller Ng Yoke Kew says they are waiting for the letter from the authorities to address the issue of the Certificate of Fitness (CF) for ICC.

themalaymailonline.com

While the traders in the market are filled with uncertainty, it's still business as usual for these folks

Meanwhile, animal welfare organisation SPCA Selangor is helping stray cats at Imbi Market to find a new home as they would be left behind when the wet market relocates

Image via SPCA Selangor
Image via SPCA Selangor
Image via SPCA Selangor

It is only a matter of time before Imbi Market relocates to the new building. Whatever it is, the Imbi Market at Jalan Melati will always have a special place in every KL-ite's heart.

Kuala Lumpur and Penang have undergone some serious transformation over the years. Take a look at how much these two cities have changed!

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