Ramadan Bazaar 2010 @ Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur

pretty grape jelly

It is weird, every year whenever I say to myself I should pack this Ramadan Bazaar crawling up, I inevitably find a bazaar that totally inspires me. This week, I wanted something different from the same old ones I have visited. Those may be the tried and popular ones but I was looking for a newer perspective. Taking a leap of faith, I wandered into a place I've never gone before - the Velodrome at Cheras.

super pretty items: agar agar with basil seeds, purple and green agar agar and Spongebob cupcakes!

Fighting through the building traffic, I took a few detours to avoid the jams and finally got to the Velodrome. Expecting loads of stalls, I was dissapointed as it was only about 10 plus stalls there. Oops, did I get it wrong again I wonder? Not wanting to give up, I decided to drive around in search of another spot.

The making of a Kelantanese delicacy - akok

A few turns around and kabaam! I struck the motherlode of bazaars - a huge one that stretched for a long length around Jalan Yaacob Latif in front of the Sains Selangor School. It was completely uncharted territory for me but I was so happy to discover something new. Parking was relatively easy as the roads were so wide you could just park on the other side of the road and venture into the bazaar.

Beko - similar to Akok except it has grated coconut

This bazaar was well planned - large canopies cover the walkway and the stalls that are on both sides. There's ample walkway space and best of all, you're sheltered from the rain. It can get a little gloomy though inside the canopies but it's still a better way to avoid getting sick if it starts to rain.

coffee to keep you awake

What I really liked about the bazaar besides the interesting food items I found....the people manning the stalls were so incredibly friendly. As there was so much to see, I kept stopping and chatting to people who were willing to share the information even though they're busy.

The making of murtabak from Murtabak Gombak stall

Let's go on to the food...I was impressed with Akok Melor - this stall that sold a variety of akok, which is a Kelantanese delicacy. Aside from the plain eggy version, the Kelantanese stall owner had also added corn, pandan and coconut shreds to this version known as beko. He also had kuih bakar and large akok made in the same mould of the kuih bakar. I couldn't resist and bought some - the akok is so gorgeous with an eggy custard center flavoured with gula melaka that melts in the mouth. Before I knew it, I had finished the whole bag as they were so incredibly good. What you'll also notice is some other stalls also try and imitate the same items but they don't sell as well.

Murtabak Gombak

Next to the Akok Melor stall is the Laksa Langkawi stall that also looked good. Around this area, a kind of grilled chicken using a Turkish honey method is popular. Here, they marinade it in a special honey (and a reddish colour) and grill it on a moveable spit. The chicken does look nice but the red colour can be a little offputting though. Seems to be a popular method around here as another stall was doing the same thing in the Velodrome.

Fried Ayam Dara from the Nasi Kukus stall

Murtabak is always a favourite and here, the most popular stall is the Murtabak Gombak. I stop by and watch the man swing his roti canai dough, stretching it out on the hot plate, pours the eggy filling before folding it into a parcel to cook till golden brown.

Steamed fluffy rice

I especially like the adorable cupcakes from Petit Cafe - all decked up in gorgeous colours and wonderful designs like a Chanel bag, Spongebob and etc. Seems the creator uses Brazilian chocolate from a single origin for his cupcakes! Other pretty things I'm attracted to are the jellies of course - in various colours, dotted with fruit and the prettiest ever, layered with those "frog eggs" or basil seeds within to give it an additional crunch.

The kick ass fiery sambal from the Nasi Kukus Ayam Dara stall

Another stall that was doing brisk business was the Nasi Kukus Ayam Dara from Kota Bahru. Steamed rice is packed and you eat it with fried chicken, some curry sauce and a spoonful of their hot fiery sambal. I love the rice as it is nice and fluffy with the aromatic chicken. Each packet costs RM5 and is well worth the wait.

Grilled chicken wings coated with honey, multi-tiered ayam percik grill

They also have the Kentang Spring here and another item I have been seeing in most bazaars - the prosperity burger, a take of McDonalds festive burger with the spicy sauce. The same stall also sells kebabs with a twist - an extra sausage with cheese. There are also stalls that grill lamb chops, great for those who love their meats and various stalls selling popiah including one they nicknamed popiah killer as it is coated in a wickedly spicy red chilli sauce.

It was a truly fun bazaar experience and I definitely won't mind returning again to this place to try out more things. I know I'm truly hooked on the akoks so that will definitely be a must buy if I return.

Ramadan Bazaar Bandar Tun Razak

Carpark Taman Tasik Permaisuiri in front of the Selangor Sains Secondary School

Jalan Yaacob Latif

Bandar Tun Razak

Just off Jalan Loke Yew

Kuala Lumpur

(For more pictures, see my Flickr set. For a list of DBKL's Ramadan Bazaars, see this link to DBKL's website.)