Chowrasta Market
Chowrasta Market is one of the two community markets within the inner city of George Town. Close to the Prangin Canal, Chowrasta was originally an open-air market within the heart of a predominantly Indian enclave. The name is likely to have come from Hindi, meaning “intersection of roads”; in Urdu the name translates to “four-cross roads”. Both reflect the nature of the market as a central location in town.
If you look up to the left wall of the building, you’ll find an iron rod sculpture of two men. This artwork is dedicated to the numerous freed Indian convicts who found employment at the market and eventually became traders.
Today, the name captures the market's diverse community and culinary offerings, ranging from pickled spices, tau sar pneh (bean-paste biscuits), roasted chestnuts to one of Penang’s oldest popiah (spring roll) vendors who makes popiah skin from scratch.
A visit to Chowrasta offers a glimpse into the vibrancy of a Malaysian bansan (Hokkien for market). It is also the perfect opportunity to support local vendors and savour nostalgic Malaysian snacks.
