Teeming with flavour options at every turn
Each year, Ramadan not only marks a time of spiritual reflection but also communal solidarity.

It also offers a special journey through a diverse range of cuisines.

This can be seen at one of the biggest Ramadan bazaars in Penang where it is packed with customers hunting for their favourite food and drinks.

From traditional Malay dishes to international delights, the Seberang Jaya Ramadan Bazaar on mainland Penang, which boasts some 150 traders, presents a wide range of choices for the public.

At Seberang Jaya Ramadan Bazaar, King Roti John is a hit with many visitors. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star and Buletin Mutiara

Despite the hot weather, thousands of visitors from all walks of life throng the bazaar daily from as early as 4pm.

One of the unique dishes that has been drawing crowds there is the ayam tempayan (chicken cooked in earthenware).

A regular fixture at the bazaar, the chicken with a Thai aromatic flavour is roasted in large earthen jars.

Stall owner Rabiayatul Adawiyah Abdullah, 28, said besides a secret recipe from Thailand, the chickens were also marinated with homemade seasoning of her own and infused with honey too.

Norsyahirah serving a customer at her stall. // courtesy pix by Buletin Mutiara // 24 March 2024

“Since the start of Ramadan, we have sold 120 chickens daily.

“Sometimes, the chickens will be sold out in an hour,” she said, adding that the chicken is priced at RM25 per bird or RM15 for half.

According to Rabiayatul, who operates a restaurant in Seberang Jaya, ayam tempayan is a traditional Thai dish popular in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Elsewhere at the bazaar, seasoned trader Muhammad Ikmal Ahmad Shukri, 30, sells umbra juice.

“The sweet and sour taste is perfect for breaking fast.

Sweet and refreshing beverages are sought-after at the Ramadan bazaar.

“With some ice cubes, it tastes even fresher,” he said.

Ikmal sells a packet of umbra juice at RM4.

He said that he has been selling about 1,500 packets daily since the first day of Ramadan.

He believes he can sell more over the weekend and during the last few days of Ramadan.

With the help of 12 workers, Ikmal could be seen packing drinks non-stop at his stall.

Twelve workers help Ikmal pack umbra juice at his stall.

Umbra or ambarella is a tropical fruit also known as spondias dulcis or “golden apple.”

It is native to the Indo-Malayan region and is commonly found in South-East Asia, including Malaysia.

The fruit has a tangy-sweet flavour and is often used in salads, chutneys or eaten fresh.

At the bazaar, visitors also have multiple refreshing beverage options fro other vendors.

From classic favourites like teh tarik, air bandung and sirap limau to exotic concoctions like coconut shake, there is no shortage of options to cool down and rejuvenate with when breaking fast.

A wide range of kuih is available at the Ramadan bazaar.No visit to a Ramadan bazaar would be complete without a selection of traditional Malay kuih and desserts.

From the vibrant-coloured kuih lapis to creamy coconut-based delicacies like seri muka and onde-onde, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Another seasoned trader at the bazaar – kuih trader Muhammad Ariffatah Anuar, 30, said fried popiah was a favourite among those who visited his stall.

His popiah is priced at RM4 for six pieces while each piece of kuih is priced between 70sen and RM4.

“I have been selling food at this Ramadan bazaar for the past 15 years.

“Although the prices for raw materials have increased, I still keep my prices low so that consumers won’t be burdened by the price hike during Ramadan.

“This is one way of contributing to society and also to do some charitable deeds during the holy month.

“If I cannot finish selling for the day, I donate the food to nearby mosques or give it to my neighbours.

“But in most instances, most of my kuih and desserts will be sold out,” said Ariffatah.

At the same bazaar, state publisher Buletin Mutiara reported that King Roti John was a hit with many visitors.

The business was set up by a couple, Amirul Nizar Rozal, 30, and Norsyahirah Ashri, 30.

Norsyahirah’s younger brother, Syahril Anwar Ashri, 27, said their business had expanded to three branches in Penang – BKE Corner Bertam, BKE Corner Kubang Semang and BKE Corner Batu Maung.

“For the past five years, we only run a stall during the fasting month.

“This year, we have established four King Roti John sites for the fasting month – Seberang Jaya Ramadan Bazaar, Bayan Lepas Ramadan Bazaar, Kubang Semang Ramadan Baazar and in front of the BKE Corner Batu Maung branch.

“There is no price difference between chicken and beef, unless the customer opts to add cheese.

“The price of King Roti John has increased by RM1 this year, from RM8 to RM9, and if with cheese added, it is now RM15 from RM13 previously.

"This increase is because of higher raw material costs.

Rosmah says choices are ample at the Ramadan bazaar in Seberang Jaya.

“Due to the price hike in goods, we have to adjust the prices to ensure a return on capital and a profit," said Syahril.

“We use high-quality Mozzarella cheese to maintain the quality of our roti john,” he added.

Among those spotted at the bazaar was factory worker Rosmah Ishak, 45, who was wandering through the maze of stalls looking for buka puasa dishes.

She singled out the bazaar in Seberang Jaya as one of the best she has visited over the past few years.

“Here, we have ample choice for food and beverage, and the most important thing is the food is delicious,” she said.

Ahmad Haikal finds the umbra juice sold at the Ramadan bazaar refreshing.She, however, lamented that the price of food at most of the bazaars nowadays was more expensive than before.

Ahmad Haikal Ahmad Rizwan, 27, and his wife Nur Alis Ahmad Ridzuan, 25, bought a few packets of umbra juice at the bazaar for buka puasa.

“The drinks are refreshing and satisfying,” said Ahmad Haikal.

Nur Alis said besides Seberang Jaya, they also went to other popular Ramadan bazaars such as the ones in Ban Busuk in Permatang Pauh or in Jalan Rozhan in Bukit Mertajam.

“I prefer coming here to this bazaar in Seberang Jaya as it is near our home,” she said.

Another visitor was factory technician Mohd Afif Hashim, 29, who was looking to buy roti john at the bazaar but was disappointed upon learning that the bread was sold out.

“Every year during Ramadan, Roti John will always be my choice for buka puasa,” he said.

Mohd Afif said the bazaar was near his work place in Perai.

“It is easy to find food for buka puasa after work or on my way to work for night shift,” he added.

For several years, the Ramadan bazaar here has been a crowd-puller not only for people from Penang mainland, but also those from the island.

Hasmadi Hassan, 45, came to the bazaar from Sungai Ara with his family.

“We want to break fast at my uncle's house in Sungai Dua, so I dropped by here to buy some food before going over there,” he said.

Among the delicacies that he bought were nasi arab, fresh juices and murtabak.

Nuranisah Hani Azmy, 23, said that while spending RM15 on roti john might be a bit much for some, she didn't mind buying it again given the consistent quantity and taste.

“I once bought roti john at another bazaar for RM12 with chicken and cheese, but I was disappointed.

"There was very little chicken inside and the cheese tasted cheap.

“Every year, at least once or twice, I will rush to the Seberang Jaya Ramadan Bazaar right after work, eager to join the queue as early as 4.30pm.

“The service is quite efficient, minimising waiting times for customers,” said Nuranisah.

Meanwhile, Jalan Tenggiri Village Community Management Council (MPKK) committee member Looi Ting Kiat said the bazaar, which opens from 3pm to 7.30pm daily until the last day of Ramadan, had attracted some 8,000 visitors daily since it first started.

He said the number of visitors could easily reach 10,000 on a weekend.

Seberang Perai City Council, in a media statement, said there were 56 locations for Ramadan bazaars on Penang mainland.

It said the one in Seberang Jaya was among the biggest as it had 150 traders.

“Another big bazaar is at Ban Busuk in Permatang Pauh, with about 170 traders,” the statement read.

Among the rules for licence holders are that no foreign workers are allowed to operate or run the stalls in the bazaars.

Traders are also encouraged to wear face masks and aprons as well as clean up the sites right after business hours.
Each year, Ramadan not only marks a time of spiritual reflection but also communal solidarity.