ABC and laksa at Dataran Deasoka Ramadan Bazaar.
Charcoal-barbequed fresh fish and chicken wings among local favourites.
Visitors at one of the many stalls.
Arif Baktiar
Awang Sheridan
Balqis Jamaludin
KOTA KINABALU: It is Ramadan, and the main attraction during the Muslim fasting month is of course Ramadan bazaar where buyers can choose from an almost endless variety of home-cooked food items and homemade cakes, which are relatively cheap due to stiff competition.
Many people say fasting during the holy month for Muslims is not difficult, but the sheer variety of tasty delicacies at Ramadan bazaars are too tempting for many who could end up eating more than during other time of the year.
Dataran Deasoka in the city centre is one of the popular Ramadan bazaars. Even though the breaking of fast is only after the call for Maghrib prayers at dusk, people could be seen thronging the site as early as 4pm.
The Ramadan bazaar is not just for the Muslims, as many people from different backgrounds are also excited with the variety of food being sold. Choices from Chicken Rice, grilled chicken wings and fresh fishes, ABC, or Ais Batu Campur, literally meaning “mixed ice”, Ayam Percik, burgers, satay, rojak, Penang Laksa, spring rolls and several varieties of the traditional Kuih are ready to spoil the bazaar visitors.
One of the stall operators Awang Sheridan Awang Hidup, 31, said the first day of Ramadan was raining, but the wet weather did not stop visitors from dropping at the bazaar and buying their favorite food.
“The pouring rain did not stop the visitors to get my satay and Penang Laksa. Even my rojak and spring rolls were selling fast because of my affordable pricing from RM1.50 to RM4.00 per packet.
“The only problem with Dataran Deasoka is the parking places but we can see people walking from Kampung Air, Gaya Street and Jalan Pantai. I believe they parked their cars there,” he said.
Awang Sheridan said the weather had been quite bad lately, but it would not stop him from selling food where the money would be his family’s allocation for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
First timer operator Arif Baktiar said he had always wanted to sell grilled fish and chicken wings but did not know how to start.
“Since my uncle is always selling grilled fish and chicken wings during Ramadan, I took the opportunity to help him and at the same time I can collect money to buy things for Hari Raya.
“My first day was exciting because grilled chicken wings were always an attraction for Sabahans. Once you start displaying your grilled wings, people will come automatically because of the delicious smell,” said Arif.
Meanwhile, a visitor Balqis Jamaludin, from Kedah, who is currently working in the state, said this was her second year celebrating Ramadan away from her parents.
She normally cooks at home to break fast but her tight schedule forced her to buy food from the bazaar.
“I prefer cooking my own food but this year I have to buy from the bazaar because I am very busy working. The Ramadan bazaar here is quite similar like what we have in Kedah, but I must admit that there are so many food in Sabah that I have never tasted before,” added Balqis.
Ramadan bazaars are usually located in parking lots or along the main streets. Some of the most popular spots in the city centre are Asia City, Sembulan, Tanjung Aru Plaza, University Apartment, Telipok Night Market, Menggatal Night Market, Sulaman Central, City Mall, Wisma Wanita and Sembulan River Park.
The two newly introduced Ramadan bazaar locations by City Hall are Salut Commercial Centre, and Taipan Inanam.