During the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Malaysia, one of the special places I would frequently visit is the many Ramadan Bazaars set up around town. These road-side bazaar consists of rows of tens to hundreds of stalls selling prepared food from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, to cater for our Muslim brothers and sisters who are fasting, so they can easily purchase fresh and wholesome food for breaking fast for Iftar, after a whole day of fasting. At the same time, all non-Muslims who may not be fasting are also welcome to support the vendors and also purchase so many varieties of food in these bazaars. Of course, we always usually advise non-Muslims not to partake of the purchased food at the bazaar until Iftar, in respect and consideration for others who are fasting.
This is a short food-photo story of my visit to a Ramadan Bazaar located in Bangsar area in Kuala Lumpur (photo above). It is by no means a large bazaar, but many of the food sold here is quite representative of all the other food sold in almost all Ramadan bazaars around the country. Location for the Ramadan Bazaar in Bangsar is here (https://goo.gl/maps/YUYZ4yK75ntsEaaF6 ) opens from 4.30pm to 7.30pm daily during Ramadan.
One of the most important food sold for breaking fast are fresh and dried dates as this is a tradition practised by all Muslims. Dates provide a small and sweet parcel of sweetness to end a beautiful day of fasting. (Above).
(Above), one of the most attractive food in the bazaar are local kuih-muih (pastries in Malay language). Myriads of forms of delicious sweet bites are there. Many of which as made from rice flour, flavor with coconut sugar, or grated coconut or coconut milk etc. One of my favorite ones are the small green balls covered with grated coconut and filled with melted palm sugar, called onde-onde. Amazing and must try.
(Above) Another very important local Malaysian tradition is to have lemang, which is glutinuous rice cooked in bamboo over a low flame and cut into disks eaten with savory curry. Very chewy and taste of coconut milk. Absolutely delicious.
With Lemang, one must eat it with Rendang which means spicy meat stew. There are versions of Rendang with chicken or beef or mutton. All are delicious when eaten with Lemang. (Above)
(Above) Another 2 local specialties are Roti Jala or (Net bread), which is a net like pastry, which is great to soak up all the delicious curry. And also Murtabak which is like a flat bread stuffed with meat or fish. Both are incredible dishes and eaten with Rendang stew.
To help satiate the bigger eaters, definitely some Biryani rice is needed. Flavorful portions of basmathi rice cooked in meat juices and flavored with spices. Deliciously satisfying.
As with all bazaars, (above) many vendors sell rice and selection of mixed cooked dishes. This is definitely one of the crowd favorites because we get to eat the rice and select any number of dishes that suit ourselves. Price of course depends on what we take. Here in the above photo we can see sambal fried fish and more.
A ramadan bazaar will not be complete without local Rojak (or vegetable/fruit salad), which has portions of deep fried crispy batter which makes the salad incredibly delicious. Eaten with sweet, salty, spicy peanut sauce which binds all other ingredients together. Amazing.
And not to forget (above), Satay which is synonymous with Malaysian food. Amazing portions of marinated meat, skewered and grilled over charcoal fires. Amazingly delicious.
(Above) Meat lovers rejoice. Delicious grilled chicken wings that fans like me can nibble on. Perfectly grilled with some char flavor. Amazing with some spicy chilly sauce.
(Above) Malaysian food cannot be complete without Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng (Nasi Lemak with deep fried chicken). Many stalls that offer this has their own secret recipe to marinade their chicken before deep frying. All are amazing.
And for some of our Muslim brothers and sisters who don’t prefer a heavy meal to break fast, there is always many varieties of sweet or savory porridge which is great to quickly replenish the energy of our body after a day of fasting.
There isn’t a way to list all the different types of delicious food found in our Ramadan Bazaars. So just leaving this post with a collages of a few of the many other delicious treasures that can be purchased.
It’s an adventure exploring Ramadan Bazaars. If you are in town and haven’t been to one, please try your best to find one. And remember, we will be courteous not to eat publicly in a Ramadan Bazaar, amongst our fasting brothers and sisters.
Share your own local Ramadan Bazaar experiences and photos in reply.
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