THE Ramadan bazaar in Kota Damansara, Section 4, isn’t the biggest in Petaling Jaya but it has a variety of food and drinks to satisfy visitors’ cravings.
It operates from 4pm until 8pm, with a few interesting and unique stalls that attract plenty of customers.
Among them is the Roti John Samyang and Roti Jala stall, which sells roti john with Samyang sauce.
Owner Amir Shahir Selamat said his family came up with the idea to add their very own homemade Samyang sauce to the roti john to differentiate the stall from others.
“My brother, who studied culinary arts, wanted to make a dish that was distinct from other local food,” Amir explained.
The Roti John Samyang costs RM9 for the chicken variant, and RM10 for the beef. Customers can also opt for the Roti John Samyang Cheezy, which adds mozzarella cheese on top for RM15.
Amir and his family have been operating the business since the beginning of Ramadan and have attracted many customers.
Customer Muhammad Afnan Mohd Rashidin, who lives nearby, said the Roti John Samyang was different from other roti john.
“The Samyang sauce gives a new flavour to the roti john, and the price is also reasonable since they add a lot of cheese to it,” said the 23-year-old.
Other stalls like those selling grilled lamb and tauhu begedil are also popular, but a lot more visitors are drawn to Popia Champion which sells popiah basah and popiah goreng.
Stall owner Syazana Jaafar, 38, said her family has been selling popiah for two generations.
“We make 2,000 pieces of popiah basah and popiah goreng every day and so far, they have always sold out,” she said, adding that they sell the popiah only during Ramadan.
Syazana said her family was cautious about making the popiah during the short spell of wet weather.
“Despite the unpredictable and rainy weather, my family and I are determined to sell the popiah until 8pm,” she added.
Among those lining up to buy the popiah was lawyer Haniff Khatri, who said he was a loyal customer of Popia Champion.
“They have not been here very long but their popiah has attracted many people.
“My favourite is the popiah basah, and every time I leave work, I will buy it for my in-laws who live nearby,” he said.
On the rising food prices, Haniff said, “In light of the current economic situation our country is in now, I sympathise with the traders who need to sell their food and drinks (priced) a bit higher.
“They are here to make a living and need to support their families.”
A quick check by StarMetro found that there were a few stalls that did not display the prices of their goods and that there was no ewallet payment method option.
There was also no Menu Rahmah but there were traders who sold their food and drinks at reasonable prices.
One of them was Azie Nasi Kukus Kerabu Kelate, which sells one pack of nasi kukus for RM8.
Stall owner Nor Azean Mohd Noor, 40, said their ayam berempah was the most popular item.
“Apart from the chicken, the solok lada (stuffed chillies) and the salted egg also made people want to buy our nasi kukus,” she said.
Nor Azean said that if she sold the dish at a high price, people would not buy it.
“I cut the whole chicken into four big parts, and I know it will be worth it for people to buy it,” she said.
There are some who have come to the Ramadan bazaar many times.
One of them is Muhamad Atim Zainal, 23, who has been here five times to buy his favourite dish.
“I work in Bandar Utama. I come here as soon as I get off work, to buy nasi tomato (tomato rice),” said the sales support executive.
The area is not congested, and visitors can easily find a parking spot around the bazaar.
There are also Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) enforcement officers monitoring the area.
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