First and foremost, may I wish all my Muslim friends Happy Ramadan Al Mubarak.
This is a time I always look forward to every year - as my Muslim friends celebrate the Holy Month, I would join them at Ramadan buffets and bazaars. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes, spirit and atmosphere at Ramadan bazaars always excite me.
The Ramadan Holy Month in 2018 started on Weds, 16 May and will continue for 30 days until Thurs, 14 June. During Ramadan, there are temporary street bazaars all over Malaysia - it is a Ramadan tradition.
During the Muslim Holy Month, I always look forward to visiting Ramadan Bazaars. Bazar Ramadan is the best opportunity to enjoy many types of traditional Malay and Halal dishes at the same place. It's a feast for all our senses - the colours, smells, sounds of food prepared, flavours of the delicious food and feeling the spirit of the community.
One of my favourite times of the year in Johor Bahru is Ramadan. During the Muslim Holy Month, I can join my Muslim friends to enjoy traditional Malay food, many of which are not available for sale at other times.
During the Muslim Holy Month, Bazar Ramadan are set up all over Malaysia, in every corner of the country. There are large ones with over a hundred stalls that attract even tourists to come and try traditional local dishes. There are also smaller bazaars with just one or two rows of stalls serving the local community living near the bazaar.
Today, I was at the Bazar Ramadan at Jalan Badik 21, Taman Puteri Wangsa, Ulu Tiram which is some 15km north of Johor Bahru.
Small and intimate bazaars can be a lot of fun too. Let's see what they have here.
Visited the Ramadan Bazar at Bangsar, Jalan Telawi 4 this evening which is one of my old haunts. I used to come to the Sunday pasar malam here, and of course, the Ramadan bazar during the Muslim holy month.
This list of the Bazar Ramadhan locations in Johor Bahru is compiled with the help of Johor Sedap members and Johor Kaki blog readers. Thank you☺. [Updated: Jun 2016]
Singapore's biggest Bazar Ramadhan is held in two locations in Geylang Serai near each other.
I always look forward to visiting Ramadan bazaars for the great varieties of freshly prepared traditional local food. It's a wonderful feeling to enjoy good food together with people from all walks of life and communities, and of all ages.
Bazaar Ramadan can be found in many places in Johor Bahru. Here is a list compiled with the help of readers from Johor Kaki, Johor Sedap and Johor Yummy.
Salam Berpuasa :D
Adda Heights, in front of shop house beside main road to Bandar Dato Onn and North-South Highway
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/xSQe2 (rough)
GPS: 1.547811,103.746042 (rough)
Bandar Baru Permas Jaya at Jalan Permas 10/10, near Renaissance Hotel
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/vTKlW
GPS: 1.494448,103.813295
Bandar Baru Uda next to the mosque
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/4GHPo
GPS: 1.498786,103.717095
Bukit Kempas, near to Taman Johor industrial area
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/puHcp (rough)
GPS: 1.520998,103.700133 (rough)
Danga City Mall at car park under the flyover
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Ynce0
GPS: 1.473850,103.755397
Kampung Malayu near the wet market
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/JKRwa
GPS: 1.514075,103.756996
Larkin near Larkin Stadium
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/PoUDV
GPS: 1.495955,103.751047
Masai at Jalan Bayan, near Masai bus station
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/hbDl2 (rough)
GPS: 1.497263,103.855251 (rough)
Pandan Smart market, next to Aeon BIG
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/zsvft
GPS: 1.534833,103.784193
Taman Bukit Tiram at Jalan Ledang 25
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Xu4yz (rough)
GPS: 1.603054,103.812121 (rough)
Taman Cempaka at Jalan Persiaran Tanjung
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/FH9Tp
GPS: 1.516654,103.701345
Taman Dahlia at Pasar Dahlia near custom quarters Tampoi
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/0rFzm
GPS: 1.510273,103.697204
Taman Daya at Jalan Pinang and Jalan Daya
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/XObto
GPS: 1.546566,103.760998
Taman Daya at Jalan Nibong, same location as Pasar Malam Jalan Nibong
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/JpQeS
GPS: 1.555018,103.757961
Taman Desa Jaya, Jalan Lembah 1
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/PrUHn
GPS: 1.553935,103.805458
Taman Kempas Jalan Bukit Kempas
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/TVhw3 (rough)
GPS: 1.520869,103.710937 (rough)
Taman Kobena near Pekan Rabu
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/byQi7
GPS: 1.500744,103.696206
Taman Nusa Perintis at Gelang Patah
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/z4GW3 (rough)
GPS: 1.456690,103.593928
Taman Pasir Putih at Jalan Asli
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/NfLhr (rough)
GPS: 1.474515,103.930782 (rough)
Taman Perling at Perling Mall
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/8S10B
GPS: 1.489016,103.685767
Taman Plentong Baru at Jalan Seroja
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/BSosv
GPS: 1.521170,103.824534
Taman Puteri Wangsa, Jalan Badik 21
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/GP4Oi
GPS: 1.578784,103.810222
Taman Rinting behind Mydin, Pasir Gudang
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Ubkcu (rough)
GPS: 1.490314,103.869745 (rough)
Taman Sri Pulai at Jalan Batai near Sekolah Rendah
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/I0iJo (rough)
GPS: 1.568960,103.617478 (rough)
Taman Setia Tropika at Jalan Setia Tropika 1/14
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/YnNbx
GPS: 1.546566,103.712493
Taman Suria at Xtra Taman Suria (GIANT)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uYlAc
GPS: 1.503119,103.761298
Taman Ungku Tun Aminah next to the mosque
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/P4bZE
GPS: 1.511217,103.655083
Taman Universiti at Jalan Kemuliaan 4
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uuWjl
GPS: 1.529897,103.620249
Tampoi next to Angsana Plaza
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dGfTF
GPS: 1.495944,103.705648
Tampoi beside Kipmart
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/KPDBL
GPS: 1.508600,103.688020
I have not been to every Bazaar Ramadan. So some map and GPS locations are approximate. Please ask the locals, if you need help with directions. Almost everyone is very helpful.
Salam Berpuasa :D
Many readers suggested that I must go to the Ramadan bazaar at Taman Universiti, and so there I was yesterday. The bazaar at Jalan Kemuliaan 4 was huge! I estimated that there must be nearly 100 stalls at this bazaar.
The stall holders were very warm and friendly. There was much spontaneous laughter. A few stall holders and even passers-by offered me food for tasting like a guest at their home. The bazaar was packed but parking was easy and plentiful. There were even MPJBT (city council) officers helping to guide and marshal traffic :) I really enjoyed myself at this Ramadan bazaar.
Come with me for a quick tour of Taman Universiti's Ramadan bazaar.
I love ayam golek stalls :) I will always walk around and zero in on the ayam golek stand. I just love the sight of poles of succulent chicken, rotating over a large charcoal pit. The ayam golek stall is easy to spot - just look out for the biggest cloud of greasy white smoke bellowing from the stall.
Kacang pool is an Egyptian dish that has caught on in Johor. The thick chunky buttered bread is eaten with a thick gravy made with minced beef and broad beans topped with a soft cooked sunny side up.
There are several Ikan Bakar stalls - a popular spicy choice for breaking fast.
Catfish! I am a big fan of catfish :) Nicely seared outside, while inside, the sweet white meat is tender and juicy.
Roti Jala or net bread eaten with curry.
Makcik packing fragrant Nasi Kerabu, a Terengganu speciality of rice with herbs.
This Ramadan bazaar has the most number of roti canai and murtabak masters together in one place that I have seen so far - see how big they spread that dough.
Sup kambing stall.
BBQ chicken.
Ayam Percik, a Kelantanese favourite.
Satay :))
Roti John, the favourite food of many - found only in Malaysia and Singapore.
There is even chicken mandi here - Arabian style grilled chicken rice.
This nasi biryani looks great :)
Siham (cockles)!
Kupang or mussels.
There are lots more that you have to come down to see for yourself :)
I love Ramadan bazaars because everyone is so happy here and people from every community and all walks of life enjoy food together. It is also a convenient, one-stop place to enjoy many traditional local food made and served hot at very reasonable prices. Most of the stalls are ready to serve at 5:00pm.
There are many places to experience Ramadan bazaars in Johor Bahru:
- Bandar Baru Uda
- Bukit Indah (AEON Jusco)
- Kampung Melayu
- Pandan (S'mart, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rWX0O, GPS: 1.533739,103.783121)
- Seri Alam
- Stadium Larkin
- Taman Perling (Perling Mall)
- Taman Universiti (Jalan Kemuliaan 4, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uuWjl GPS: 1.529897,103.620249)
- Taman Dahlia
- Taman Johor
- Taman Suria (near Giant)
- Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (near Caltex petrol station)
- Taman Rinting (Jalan Sena)
- Taman Sri Pulai
- Tampoi (Plaza Angsana)
We wish our Muslim readers Selamat Berpuasa.
I visited my first Ramadan bazaar today at S'Mart Pandan (off Jalan Tebrau). I look forward to Ramadan Bazaars every year to try many traditional local dishes together, some of which are sold only during Ramadan. At Ramadan bazaars, I see people from every community looking for and enjoying delicious food together. It always makes me feel very happy :)
Let's take a walk through the many interesting stalls with me :)
When at Ramadan bazaars, I always look out for the ayam golek stall. It's very easy to spot the ayam golek stall - just look out for the bellowing smoke. The ayam golek is always the smokiest stall! It's a visual spectacle, and the charcoal roasted chicken is delicious too :)
Smoking BBQ chicken wings over hot charcoal.
Ayam Percik, the popular Kelantanese spicy BBQ chicken on bamboo skewers. Eaten with Nasi Kerabu - a Kelantanese style of bluish hued rice mixed with herbs.
Many people like to break fast with spicy Ikan Bakar.
Thick slabs of succulent stingray, laid on a banana leaf, topped with a thick blanket of spicy sambal, gently grilled on a large flat iron griddle - yummy!!
Happy chefs frying sambal udang (spicy prawns).
Fried cockles in sambal! Something I seldom see :)
One of the several murtabak (pan-fried bread with chicken or mutton stuffing) stalls.
Roast Duck.
Nasi Ambeng.
There were several Nasi Padang stalls.
Traditional Roti Jala or "net bread" eaten with curry.
Many stalls selling colourful cold drinks.
Katirha, the hottest cold drink this Ramadan.
There are many places to experience Ramadan bazaars in Johor Bahru:
- Bandar Baru Uda
- Bukit Indah (AEON Jusco)
- Kampung Melayu
- Pandan (S'mart, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rWX0O, GPS: 1.533739,103.783121)
- Seri Alam
- Stadium Larkin
- Taman Perling (Perling Mall)
- Taman Universiti (Jalan Kemuliaan 4, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uuWjl GPS: 1.529897,103.620249)
- Taman Dahlia
- Taman Johor
- Taman Suria (near Giant)
- Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (near Caltex petrol station)
- Taman Rinting (Jalan Sena)
- Taman Sri Pulai
- Tampoi (Plaza Angsana)
We wish our Muslim readers Selamat Berpuasa.
