Ramadhan Bazaar - Unwritten Etiquette for Everyone

Ramadhan in Malaysia is embraced with customary Malay kampong lifestyle and nostalgically craving for traditional dishes, cakes or desserts as Muslims devote fasting in the day time and increased praying and reciting the holy Koran at night or in between working breaks for spiritual contemplation and reflection. Fasting would be to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking during the fasting hours as well as abstinence on all vices of mankind in the month long of Ramadhan.

Inevitably, Ramadhan bazaars have been the convenient avenues for the ever-busy city dwellers to get hold of these home cooked delicacies that can only be purchased within the fasting month of Ramadhan.

In a true spirit of camaraderie, all Malaysian non-Muslims are coming out in droves alongside their fellow Muslims in search of the special fare and mouthwatering food for their breaking-of-fast that these quaint street food bazaars would offer.

Thus it is best for all of us to observe increased discretion and sensitivity in respecting fellow Muslims, even in the atmosphere of slapstick hollering of traders – more likely a tiring shout of a hard day’s work rather than an exclamation of trade persuasion.

Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts that we should all remember during our visit to Ramadhan bazaar.

Dressing

•        Women are advised to dress sensibly and modestly, avoiding spaghetti straps, sleeveless blouses or above-the-knee skirts;

•        Men are expected to dress modestly, avoid bold or vulgar prints of your attire. Shorts preferably of good length beyond knees if possible;

•        Cross-dressing is an absolute no-no, whether it’s Ramadan or not.

Etiquette – generally show consideration for those who are observing the fast

•        Refrain from drinking, eating, chewing gum or smoking in the Bazaar area.

•        Do not sample any of the food on display or even consuming your purchase in the bazaar area;

•        Do not be loud or obnoxious. Avoid getting into arguments or animated/offensive behavior to anyone – even if it’s your own family member, friends or coworkers;

•        Some kiasu locals will not queue at all or worse, jump on any opportunity to be served. Be patient and courteous so as not to harass the stressed-out traders. Do not expect even a 1-star hospitality service from street vendors sweating under the hottest time of the day in the sun! Even the cashiers will have a dour face due to fatigue!

•        Do not point fingers at others as this is considered disrespectful. Avoid making obscene gestures and using foul languages;

•        Talking aloud with your friends or on the phone can be construed as rude. So do any ear-plug listening devices while wondering around the bazaar;

•        Should you be ill-treated by the vendors or anyone in the crowd, do not retaliate. There is no need to get offended. Look at them somberly in their eyes and simply walk away from the scene. Be the nobler party;

•        It is a bazaar after all. Beware of pickpockets and snatch-thief all the time. Bring only small change instead of big notes or you will be quick to annoy the traders.

•        Picture taking is acceptable but with discretion of course. It’s polite to seek permission first before taking photo of an individual – be it a beggar alike.

•        Remember your right hand – to point to your selection, handing over the money and in receiving your goods. It’s overly rude to pass anything with your left hand.

•        Should you be short-handed, or your right hand somehow could not perform the required task, please acknowledge before-hand to the seller in a simple apologetic gesture –

“Maaf, tangan kiri ya Encik/Cik!” – Sorry for using my left hand Sir/Maam.

 Anymore tips from anyone?

Ramadhan Bazaar - Sungai Penchala

Bazaar Ramadhan Sungai Penchala is located conveniently a few hundred meters of Penchala Link junction to Taman Tun Dr. Ismail in this Malay reserved enclave residential neighborhood. It is an unpretentious bazaar of about 40 odd stalls laid out in encircling two rows of stalls.

 

Vehicular off street parking would be testing one's patience around 5 to 6pm as both sides of the road leading to the mosque and shops beyond would be congested. If you are familiar entering Sungai Penchala from LDP highway, that would be the better route to the venue.

 

In previous years there were interesting stalls selling unique selections such as barbeque stingray, dim sum, authentic cakes from the original stoves and hands of Kelantanese mothers and grandmothers settling in the kampung.

 

However, in passing of time and maybe the maestro chefs themselves the current traders are keeping safe to commercial varieties much available in bazaars anywhere else. Yet the uniqueness of certain home-cooked dishes would certainly reward anyone making a trip to this edge of Kuala Lumpur.

 

It is also encouraging to witness the city council's health officials in hand taking random samples and overall inspection of the stalls.

 

 

 Klate + KL = Klatel

Ain't that simply sumptuous?

Kuih-muih - Variety of cakes

Lauk-pauk - Variety of dishes

Interesting visitors pioneering the neighborhood.

Shorts for the ladies would be practical in the hot and humid afternoon weather, that is understandable. However, shorts in midst of the locals in the month of Ramadhan can also be disrespectful. Alas the uninformed!

The friendliest & happiest traders.

Legendary couple selling Murtabak solely outside the bazaar premise by the roadside. That's their young son on standby help.

 

And our friendly city council health inspectors - DBKL- drop by taking random samples from this drink stall.

The yellow officer's job would be to drag the sampling container around and take it back to the lab for health testing obviously.

 

Another team at the other end of the bazaar.

While the boss would be doing behind-the-counter inspection, as well as getting a few packed dishes to carry home.

Anak-Beranak - Family members

Air tebu - Sugar cane juice

Lemang brother, lemang special...!

 

Colored iced-drinks - just name your favorite color!

Even Supergirl would get her meal from here!

Mother-of-all-cholesterol ....!

Recessed wok counter-table - sempoi!

 A cutie looking back at you.

This poor guy got stuck by another Parker behind his car for quite a while.

 

Ramadhan Bazaar - Kelana Jaya

This is a 'must visit' ramadhan bazaar in Klang valley with it's location just off the fringe of Damansara-Puchong Highway ring road conveniently linking to the affluent mid-upper class residents to patronize. Parking should not be a problem around the residential single-storey terrace neighborhood surrounding it.

Weekends are always crowded with the apartment dwellers nearby joining in the feast as the evening sun cools down. It is best to arrive early around 4pm. That is when the traders have fully settled in and the crowd has yet to arrive, but be sure to avoid the trench of afternoon sun and it's heat.

The non-Malay speaking visitors should not be intimidated with the traders' shouting and howling of their merchandized. After all it is a bazaar and a few beggars wouldn't mind sitting down right in the centre of the crowded lane looking up as pathetic as they could muster to your eyes.

You should know that trading rules require all prices to be displayed by the traders. Keep a look out for their multi-facets of price lists. The exception would be for a serving of home-cooked dishes. That's when you have to keep an eye on the final tallied figure. It's not impolite to ask the price of each serving or a piece of the dish.

A common knowledge is that prices are non-negotiable but who knows what your hidden haggling talent might reward you after all...! A charming smile or two might earn one a discount - depending on the most pity face you could churn out with.

Once a trader tried out a pizza stall complete with his portable electric oven. He did not last long unfortunately. Maybe pizza cheesy after taste and fasting appetite did not get along too well in the stomach at the end of the day.

But nowadays Kambing Golek or spit-roasted lamb seems to be in vogue among the every-fussy purchasers seeking a different level of food flavor in their diet.

Bustling crowd all the way along the street ..!

Chicken grille smoke adding to the haze in Klang valley.

Cheese anyone...?

That's Sam Boi not Sampoi..!

Raja Ketam or Crab King - just look at his crab dish size.

'Tepung Pelita' - a darling must-taste sweet from Kelantan. Keeping it's price from a year ago that one will not be able to get next year...!

Not to be outdone, this guy self-proclaims to be 'Raja Puding' - or Pudding King.

Kambing Golek - spit-roasted lamb adopted from the eastern European barbeque concept down to the street of Kelana Jaya. A common sight nowadays at Ramadhan bazaars.

 Fried, fried and fried everything.

Hallmark of Kelana Jaya. Just look at the non-Muslims patiently queuing-up to buy. Tandoor clay-pot cooking chicken.

Opposite end of the street closer to the apartments.

Sempoi - Keep calm and eat chicken wings..!

The young turks are taking over as traders.

D' la mode setup. Biasa - Normal Besar - Big.

Not as famous as the cousin cookie business.

Now to get the juice flowing......

A different kind of product - Saudi Arabian juices.