| Syazwani Hj Rosli & Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
ALL roads leading to Ramadhan bazaars across the country saw traffic moving at a snail’s pace as Muslims and non-Muslims, braving the hot sun, flocked to grab their gastronomical delights at affordable rates.
Ramadhan bazaars set up at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Gadong night market and near Royal Regalia Building in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday witnessed people gather in big numbers to relish a wide variety of delicious food and beverages and also to meet with friends and family, keeping up with the spirit of the holy month of Ramadhan.
The fasting month is a big-time opportunity for local vendors to set up their businesses and increase income. Ramadhan bazaars offer them a windfall during the month of fasting and feasting.
There is stiff competition among the vendors who sell varieties of food and beverages, local and international, that cannot be found at regular shops.
Among the multitude of food stalls that have come up across the country, the competition is not just for grabbing buyers’ attention and make money, but to serve the most delicious dishes.
Members of the public buying food to break their fast during the first day of Ramadhan. – DEAN KASSIM
Crowds at Stadium Ramadhan bazaar. – DEAN KASSIM
Haji Abdul Kadir bin Haji Metali, Manager of Cendol Haji Metali
Nur Raghadah binti Agus, owner of ‘The Grill Journal’ stall. – PHOTOS: SYAZWANI HJ ROSLI
The Sunday Bulletin yesterday visited the first day of the Ramadhan bazaar at the Gadong night market and spoke to some of the local entrepreneurs offering scrumptious Iftar foods and drinks for their fasting customers.
Stall owner Nur Raghadah binti Agus who started her business in February this year, said that her stall offers her family’s popular ‘marinated and grilled-to-perfection’ skewers from chicken, beef and lamb. She also sells other items such as garlic-baked potatoes and Satay.
She said this is the first time that her stall, ‘The Grill Journal’, was participating in the Ramadhan bazaar, adding that she is overwhelmed to see more customers than the normal days.
“During a normal day, we manage to sell around 300 to 500 skewers, but this time, I think that we may have to bring extras to meet the demand. Today, customers started flocking to the stall as early as 2.30pm and it is just amazing to see the crowd,” she said.
During Ramadhan, she said, her business will only be available until before Iftar so that they can go home and prepare for their sales for the next day, and they will be able to join the congregants at the mosque to perform Sunnat Tarawikh prayers.
In an interview, Haji Abdul Kadir, Manager of Cendol Haji Metali and son of Haji Metali who was a pioneer in the cendol business since 1958, said that apart from selling the classic cendol they have also come up with fusion products such as Cendol Puspa and Cendol Durian. Other products they sell are the local favourite Pais Daging, Mee Goreng and Curry Puff.
“On a normal day, we set up at 3pm and finish at 8pm to 9pm, and today we started at noon and saw a steady increase in visitors to the Gadong night market. The crowd flow was most noticeable after the Asar prayer,” he said.
“We had expected that our sales would increase with the arrival of the month of Ramadhan, therefore we had been preparing well in advance. Alhamdulillah it is only the first day of Ramadhan and it looks like we will be selling out by 6pm,” he said.
The bazaar has also showcased some of the best and delicious traditional delicacies.
This include the Kueh Malaya that looks like a peanut pancake stuffed with a generous amount of crushed peanuts, sugar and condensed milk; Nasi Ayam, popularly known as chicken rice which is less spicy but sweet; Nasi Lemak, a dish in which the rice is cooked with coconut milk and some spices to produce a soothing aroma and often partnered with fried chicken; or even Satay – chicken or beef in barbeque stick, usually eaten with peanut sauce or even corn in cups – corn kernels that are steamed and lightly buttered and salted.
For people visiting the Ramadhan bazaar, the food and buzz are the highlights.
“We come here to buy almost everything that we crave for. During fasting, we tend to go for many different foods. We would try burgers, many traditional delicacies, kebabs and others,” said Nasri bin Haji Marzuki who was at the market with his family.
“The month of Ramadhan often provides an amazing atmosphere. My family is so happy and excited. It not only brings one close to Allah the Almighty, but it also strengthens relationship among the family; it’s something that one would want to celebrate and enjoy,” he continued.
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