The month of Ramadan beckons upon us again, and it's the time of the year where our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world observe a full month of fasting. With it comes the unique gastronomical phenomenon that also pops up once a year – the Ramadan bazaar!
A yearly ritual, it is a grand sight where streets are cordoned off for rows of stalls selling nothing but the best food to offer for visitors to break their fast with. If you’re new to KL (or even an experienced resident), here are 10 Ramadan bazaars in KL you must visit?
#HHWT Tip: There's no “official” opening/closing hours for the bazaars, but a general rule of thumb is they start operation from 3PM onwards, peaking at 5-6PM before winding down just after the call to prayers for Maghrib. Best to visit one sometime at 4PM, before the crowds come in, but just when all the stalls are fully operational. Most (if not all) are located outdoors, be prepared to brave the weather if it takes a sudden turn?
1. Bangsar
Credit: mysthavens on Instagram
Located right in front of Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar and along Jalan Telawi, it's one of the most popular bazaar in town!
Head over to the bazaar here to check out the Murtabak Raja – a huge murtabak the size of a small pizza and almost as thick as one. Other specialities include the colourful pudding jellies, Portugese-styled seafood and a solid Kelantanese stall serving nasi kerabu?
It may not be the largest bazaar around, but what it lacks in size; it overcomes with quality? On Sundays, the bazaar merges together with the weekly night market and becomes even bigger!
Address: Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Directions: It's located directly infront of Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq. The nearest LRT station is Bangsar and from there it's another 1.5km. Best to take a taxi!
#HHWT Tip: The weekly Sunday night market has a decent offering of fresh fruits and vegetables too. If you’re trying to go healthy, or planning to get some groceries done to prep for sahur, this is a good time to cover both your iftar and weekly groceries need!
2. TTDI
Another famous bazaar in KL, TTDI is also one of the well-known spots around town. Due to its vicinity to the housing area and offices around it, it attracts a lot of crowds, so do come early to avoid them!
Head over to stalls selling popiah basah, murtabak and the putu piring which forms the staple to the place.
Address: Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Directions: Nearest MRT station is TTDI, 700m from the bazaar. Best to take a taxi from there.
#HHWT Tip: The putu piring (steamed coconut and rice cake with a sweet filling of gula Melaka) is a must try!
3. USJ 4
USJ 4 has been the go-to place for residents around Subang Jaya! It temporarily held the fort for the Ramadan bazaar scene for the area when the other famous SS18 bazaar could not operate due to construction works surrounding it.
If you’re up for nasi briyani, jacket potatoes and giant curry puffs head over to USJ 4 to feed your appetite?
Address: Jalan USJ 4/5, USJ 4, Subang Jaya, Selangor
Directions:
4. Kelana Jaya
You know you’re in the right place when the air is filled with an aromatic scent of grilled meat and seafood? If the other bazaars are known for their murtabaks and kuihs, head over to the one in Kelana Jaya to get a fix of all things grilled and refreshing drinks!
Apart from the usual fare, the bazaar here has a multitude of stalls serving up grilled seafood, ayam percik, satay and even rotisserie chicken, roasted to perfection over a makeshift barbeque pit.
Don’t miss out on the traditional delicacies of the east coast too! Grab some satar and pulut lepor – both fish-based savouries wrapped in banana leaf and grilled over a small fire?
ddress: Jalan SS 6/1, SS6, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Directions:
5. Kampung Baru
A Ramadan bazaar excursion around KL would not be complete without heading over to Kampung Baru. Even outside of Ramadan, Kampung Baru is already a feast itself!
Strategically located at Jalan Raja Alang, it’s a couple of minutes’ walk from the the Kampung Baru LRT station. A true melting pot of food culture, choose some of the finest street food from outside of KL! From nasi dagang and nasi kerabu, Murtabak Singapura and even cendol and pasembor Pulau Pinang there will be a variety of cuisine from all over Malaysia to choose from?
If nothing fancies your taste buds, try the Roti Goreng MacGyver! The Kampung Baru mosque is also nearby to the spot, providing an excellent base to perform the Maghrib and I sya’ prayers after hitting the bazaar.
Address: Jalan Raja Alang, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia #HHWT Tip: If you fancy one of the best bubur lambuks in town, head over to the nearby Masjid Jamek Kg Baru after Asr’ prayers (about 5PM) for a free serving of one. Best to wait in line as the bubur lambuk is well known! If you'd like being served by the Prime Minister of Malaysia himself, come on the 11th of June 2017!
6. Stadium Shah Alam
The Stadium Shah Alam bazaar is one of the biggest around the KL area. There are rows of stalls serving up a multitude of food to choose from. With the large number of stalls also means a huge crowd trying to get around for the nasi lemak kukus, popiahs and a variety of porridge.
Come early to avoid the crowd, but if unavoidable the ample parking space will make up for it?
Address: Stadium Malawati, Persiaran Sukan, Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Directions: The bazaar is located at the open parking area opposite the stadium
7. Wangsa Maju
Nothing beats accessibility compared to the bazaar here in Wangsa Maju. Located right after crossing the road from the Wangsa Maju LRT station, the bazaar is seemingly endless with the rows of stalls on either side of the road!
Head over to Wangsa Maju to try out the Murtabak Maggi and the abundance of Roti John stalls. There are a few stalls selling almost similar fare – but take your time covering the whole length and pick the ones to your own liking?
Address: Jalan 3/27A, Seksyen 1 Wangsa Maju, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
Directions: It’s a short walk across from the Wangsa Maju LRT station, located on the road leading up to AEON Wangsa Maju
8. Bukit Bintang
The glitzy surroundings of the Golden Triangle of KL would be the last place to expect smoke-filled roads and the air filled with the fresh scent of nasi biryani? But that's exactly the case with the Ramadan bazaar in Bukit Bintang. Located right along Jalan Sultan Ismail and a portion of Jalan Berangan, the bazaar is only a short walk away from the Bukit Bintang Monorail station!
Living up to the hype – feast upon a multitude of street food that KL is built upon. Follow the most aromatic smell, or simply join in the longest queue if you’re unsure which stall to go to! The fried quails are a big hit here as it's fried to perfection and served with rice and soup as a side dish. Be prepared to wait!
Address: Jalan Berangan, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Directions: It is located along Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan Berangan, near McDonalds’. The nearest stop would be the Bukit Bintang Monorail Station
9. Putrajaya
If Ramadan bazaars were a mall, the one in Precinct 3, Putrajaya would cut it! Ample parking and pedestrian space, a wide variety of stalls and endless choices of food, Putrajaya has it all? It serves mainly the residents of Putrajaya, and with that comes a huge variety of food to choose from. However, be prepared to walk!
One specialty here is the pau cendawan, steamed buns with a distinct skin tone resembling those of mushrooms?
Address: Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Presint 3, 62100 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
Directions: The bazaar is located within the open space between the Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Perbadanan Putrajaya
#HHWT Tip: The bazaar is part of a bigger festivity in Putrajaya that runs throughout Ramadan. There are also stalls selling Eid cookies and items needed for the Eid celebration! Also it's right across Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, so take the opportunity to drop by the mosque!
10. Seksyen 14, PJ
The Ramadan bazaar in Seksyen 14, PJ may not be one of the biggest compared to the rest but it’s one of the oldest around, and still going strong? Primarily serving the residents of Petaling Jaya, this neighbourhood joint has moved around various spots but remains within the borders of Seksyen 14!
Get ready to savour one of the best popiah basah in town! If the queue lines are any indication of how good the popiahs are, be prepared till you get a serving of it. The usual fares are abundant here as well, ranging from ayam percik, nasi kerabu, and the famous Tepung Pelita Paya Jara.
Address: Jalan 14/20, Seksyen 14, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Directions: It is located along the walkway between Digital Mall PJ and the Medan Selera and is slightly hidden from the main road of Jalan 14/20. Nearest LRT Station is Asia Jaya. From there you may opt to take bus T628/T628B and alight opposite Jaya 33. The bazaar will be a short 5 minutes’ walk.
HHWT Tip: The place may look congested, but there's a lot of paid parking around the area. Head over to Jaya Shopping Centre (and do some Raya shopping!), or park in the multi-storey car park right behind this bazaar.
…and there you have it! If you happen to be in KL during the month of Ramadan, fret not as the food scene is still alive and lives through the various bazaars that are scattered around town. So, hop over and find your way through the various stalls dishing out the finest street food the wonderful city of KL can offer.