Cheap, tasty food options at bazaars

WITH less than two weeks to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Ramadan bazaar traders in Johor Baru are expecting more people and higher sales at their stalls.

Chicken rice seller Aziz Nasri, 32, who is operating at Bazaar Ramadan Taman Suria, said the venue was popular with both locals and Singaporeans.

“I have been selling grilled chicken rice at the same bazaar for two years and this place always sees large crowds as it is one of the biggest bazaars around Johor Baru.

Mohd Fakhrur and his wife Norarizah Yahya choosing seafood dishes for their break of fast.

“In the first two weeks of Ramadan, I have had good sales but the weekday crowd is not as big.

“During weekdays, I sell fewer than 200 packets of chicken rice, which is priced at RM10 per packet,” he told StarMetro.

ALSO READ: MBJB cracks down on traders flouting rules

Sales on weekends, Aziz said, were much better due to the high presence of Singaporeans as well as locals.

“In Johor, our weekend falls on Friday and Saturday for government servants.

“Singaporeans will come here on Saturday and Sunday.

Chicken rice among popular foods found at Ramadan bazaars like the one in Taman Suria, Johor Baru. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star

“I sell between 250 to 300 packets of chicken rice a day on those days as the bazaar crowd is usually bigger,” he said.

Another food vendor, Mohd Yassin Mohd Yunus, 39, said locals were not buying much, compared to Ramadan last year.

“This is the third time I am selling murtabak and roti canai here and sales are not as it used to be during previous bazaars.

“The weekend brings in a lot of customers as many of them bring their families to bazaars and they will buy many pieces of murtabak and roti canai from me.”

ALSO READ: Foreigners penalised for illegally running stalls in JB Ramadan bazaars

Mohd Yassin, who also operates a similar stall in Kampung Melayu Majidee, said he expected more people to head to bazaars towards the end of Ramadan.

“Usually, the last two weeks of Ramadan will see much larger bazaar crowds as this is when people focus on their Hari Raya preparations.

“They will buy food at bazaars as it is much more affordable than breaking fast at hotels or restaurants.”

(Above) Mohd Yassin cooking murtabak at the Taman Suria bazaar which he says will see more visitors at the end of Ramadan.

Food stall operator Afiqah Ibrahim, 50, has been selling various Malay dishes at Ramadan bazaars for 30 years.

“Even though the prices of fish, chicken, vegetables and rice have gone up lately, I am not increasing my prices.

“I know everyone is struggling because living in Johor Baru is getting expensive.

“It would be unfair to my loyal customers if I hiked up prices,” she said.

Afiqah said she was making a smaller profit at this year’s bazaar, while unsold items would be donated to the tahfiz school her son attended at Kampung Melayu Majidee.

Muruku seller P. Shanmuganathan, 54, from Ulu Tiram, said he had been taking part in bazaars held during Ramadan and Deepavali for about 23 years.

“The festive seasons are usually a busy time for me as those celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali will want to eat muruku and kerepek.

“I sell over 30 types of snacks including pineapple tarts and other kuih for Hari Raya,” he added.

Shanmuganathan agreed with other bazaar traders that this year’s sales were slow during weekdays compared to the weekends.

And he also expects more people to come to the bazaars over the coming weeks.

Shanmuganathan filling a container with muruku at his stall. The trader has been selling snacks for 23 years and offers them for both Ramadan and Deepavali.

“Before the start of fasting month, people were making preparations for the start of school term, buying stuff for their children.

“Now that Hari Raya Aidilfitri is just a couple of weeks away, I am certain that more people, especially from across the Causeway, will be coming to bazaars to get the best deals.”

He said there was a large crowd of customers from Singapore at bazaars during the weekends.

“Sometimes, I have no choice but to extend my operating hours at my stall during those times,” said Shanmuganathan.

“Even before I open my stall, there can be long lines of people waiting to buy,” he added.

Meanwhile, civil servant Mohd Fakhrur Razi, 46, from Kukup in Pontian, said it had become a yearly tradition for him to visit different bazaars during Ramadan with his wife and children.

“We usually travel to bazaars around Pontian, Batu Pahat and Johor Baru.

“So far, the ones around Johor Baru remain our favourites.

“The food options at Taman Suria and Angsana Mall Johor Baru bazaars are different compared to the ones at bazaars in Pontian and Batu Pahat,” he said.

Mohd Fakhur said the presentation of the food sold at bazaars was also visually appealing.

“The way traders display food and beverages is quite well done and this entices consumers like me.

“Furthermore, the food tastes good,” he said.

Public relations officer Mohd Akmall Shafiq Tino Mohd Idham Daniel, 30, said bazaars in Taman Perling and Gelang Patah remained his first choice for buka puasa food.

“Both my wife and I are working and due to our busy schedules, it is difficult for us to prepare home-cooked meals in time to break fast.

“Since it is only the two of us at home, we just buy small amounts of food including kuih.”

Mohd Akmall added that this strategy had saved the couple money.