Pasar Besar Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI Wet Market) is a place that Japanese residents of KL say, ``My life changed when I found out about this place.''
This is a surprising hidden gem where you can get fresh meat, fish, and vegetables at prices unimaginable at Japanese supermarkets, and you can even order in Japanese at the butcher shop. In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide that allows you to shop with confidence even for the first time, based on reviews from residents.
Basic information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Pasar Besar Taman Tun Dr Ismail |
| Location | Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, TTDI, 60000 Kuala Lumpur |
| Business hours | Tuesday-Sunday 6:00-14:00 |
| Closed | Monday |
| Access | Grab recommended. Approximately 15 minutes walk from TTDI station |
| Parking | Street parking available around the market (first come, first served) |
We are closed on Mondays! There are quite a few Japanese people who accidentally go there. Let's remember it from Tuesday to Sunday.
Floor configuration — what's where
TTDI Market has two floors.
1st floor (ground floor)
- ●Chicken, fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, dry goods
- ●Seasonings/Spices
- ●Local side dishes/snacks
B1F (Lower Ground) — Non-Halal Section
- ●Pork section (Non-Halal Section)
- ●Pork processed products
Since Malaysia is an Islamic country, pork is sold in a separate section as "Non-Halal". The basement floor of TTDI is a pork specialty floor.
How to buy meat — you can understand Japanese!
Chicken ordering technique
At TTDI's butcher shop, there are many Japanese customers, so the Japanese menu is available. Ordering method as revealed by resident reviews:
| How to order | Common words | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thigh meat for fried chicken | ``Karaage thigh'' | They will cut it and give it to you |
| Breast meat for fried chicken | ``Karaage breast'' | Cut it and give it to you |
| One whole bird | “One Chicken” | You can also request disassembly |
| Chicken wings | “Wing” | Part names are OK in English |
"I buy in bulk, like 1 kg, and it doesn't smell at all. It's very fresh." (Review from a resident)
Pork ordering technique (basement floor)
There are multiple butchers in the basement pork section. A famous store is Lee Wah Trading.
| Parts | How to order | Price guide |
|---|---|---|
| Pork Belly | "Pork Belly" | RM20-30/kg (approx. 800-1,200 yen) |
| Pork slices | ``Koma'' | Secret menu. Reservation required |
| Tontoro | “Tontoro” | Reservation required/Contact via WhatsApp |
| Ribs (Meaty Pork Ribs) | "Pork Ribs" | RM25-35/kg (approx. 1,000-1,400 yen) |
| Shoulder Loin | “Shoulder Loin” | RM22-28/kg (approx. 880-1,120 yen) |
“Koma” is a secret menu! The word comes from the Japanese word for ``komagare,'' and it is a specialty menu item that the staff at the restaurant have memorized as a result of Japanese customers continuing to order it.
Reservations/Notes
- ●Convenient WhatsApp booking. Advance notice is especially recommended for Tontoro and Koma.
- ●No after 12pm! In particular, the pork section begins to be cleaned up after 12:00.
- ●Best time is from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. This time of day is the freshest
- ●Busiest around 7:00 am on weekends
Chicken freshness issue — a Malaysian problem
Many residents have complained that Malaysian chicken has a ``smell'' compared to Japan. This is because Japanese chicken is special, and it is not a problem unique to Malaysia.
Voices of residents
"European chicken had the same smell as Malaysian chicken. It may be unique that Japanese chicken doesn't smell." (Review from a resident)
How to choose and deal with chicken
| Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Buy at TTDI Market | Much fresher than the supermarket |
| Choose a same-day pack | Choose a same-day pack at location_onJaya Grocer, etc. |
| Brand chicken | Lacto Plus III (same-day pack recommended), KS Organic Chicken |
| Frozen chicken | Pineapple Chicken (tastes good even when frozen) |
| Odor removal | Wash with electrolyzed water, soak in alcohol, soak in yogurt |
Supermarket chicken vs TTDI market
| Comparison | Super | TTDI Market |
|---|---|---|
| Freshness | △ Available the next day or later | ◎ Same day |
| Price | RM10~14/kg | RM8~12/kg |
| Custom cut | × | ◎ |
| Smell | Slightly bothersome | Almost none |
Vegetables & Fruits Section
Price guide (as of February 2026)
| Item | Price (RM) | Japanese Yen Conversion (1RM=40 Yen) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bunch of water spinach | RM2~3 | Approx. 80~120 yen |
| Kangkung (a type of water spinach) | RM1.5~2.5 | Approx. 60~100 yen |
| Green onions (cheaper at Korean supermarkets) | RM3-5 | Approx. 120-200 yen |
| Tomato 1kg | RM4~6 | Approx. 160~240 yen |
| Garlic 500g | RM5-8 | Approx. 200-320 yen |
| Limau | RM0.20~0.50/piece | Approx. 8~20 yen |
Fruit recommendations
- ●Cempedak—A member of the durian family, but with a mild odor. Excellent when fried
- ●Rambutan—Season is from June to August
- ●Mangosteen—"Queen of fruits". Season is from May to August
"Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. My friend ate it with sweet Chinese soy sauce mixed with spices to give it a different taste." (Review of Chen Pedak)
Recommended spots around the market
The area around TTDI Market is dotted with restaurants and cafes that are popular with residents.
| Store name | Genre | Features |
|---|---|---|
| location_onDotty's Pastries & Coffee | Cafe | TTDI's famous cafe. Perfect for coffee after the market |
| location_onKenny Hills Bakers | Cafe | TTDI's best bread and cafe |
| location_onDC Restaurant | French | TTDI's only authentic French restaurant |
Shopping checklist
- ●✅ Eco bags (2-3 large pieces)
- ●✅ Cool bag & ice pack (for meat and fish. Essential in the Malaysian heat)
- ●✅ Cash (small banknotes under RM100. Many stores do not accept cards)
- ●✅ WhatsApp (Smartphone is required for reservation communication)
- ●✅ Towel/wet tissue (your hands will get dirty)
Summary
| Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Business hours | Tuesday-Sunday 6:00-14:00 (closed on Mondays) |
| Best time | 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. |
| Pork section | Basement floor (must be there before 12:00) |
| Japanese | “Karaage Momo” and “Koma” are commonly used at butcher shops |
| Reservations | You can pre-book Tontoro, Koma, etc. on WhatsApp |
| Payment | Cash recommended |
TTDI Market is a spot that dramatically improves the quality of life for Japanese residents. Once you go there, you'll never go back to supermarket meat.
*This article contains word-of-mouth information from the LINE community. Please read this as personal impressions and experiences.
Last updated: February 2026