Pasar Ramadan, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

September 13 - October 12, 2007

Scene inside the pasar

It’s that time of the year again! We are having some sort of a fiesta, all over the country. The Muslim’s fasting month of Ramadan is here. Pasar Ramadan (Ramadan bazaars) sprang up every where.

Otak Otak

I would imagine that in the Chinese Hungry Ghosts Festival, the ghosts must be real hungry. In the pasar Ramadan scene, it is the hungry people jostling to grab whatever foods available. The place is jam-packed in the evening, after office hours.
Vegetable section

The goodies on sale at the bazaar range from traditional to modern. There is a wide array of cooked foods like chicken, beef, fish and vegetables for the busy city folks.Tepung Pelita

Cookies and cakes are the favourites. Dates are a must. So are the fireworks and firecrackers, despite the ban. Every body is in a festive mood.
Trays of goodies

Fasting in a hot climate can be real thirsty. There are various drinks to choose. They range from soy bean, fruit juices, sugar canes, cincau, len chi kang and the list goes on.

Stacks of Fruit Juices

Ayam Percik (Marinated chicken)

One hot item is the ikan bakar, the grilled fish. Somehow, the word grill is lost to the abundance of cooking oil used in grilling the fish. It may as well be fried fish. They are the more pricey goodies. My estimate calls for more than 100% profit margin. Sure can’t blame the sellers. The people are very hungry indeed. They will buy anything. Everything looks good when you go without food and drink for one whole day. After all, it is once in a year thing. People don’t mind.
Pari Bakar (Grilled stingray)

Earlier, I made a vow not to splurge on the foods from the pasar this fasting month. It went well during the first week of Ramadan. Thereafter, I can be seen with throng of hungry people snapping up foods as if tomorrow will never come. I am just one very tired, hungry and thirsty guy.