Barbecued rabbit draws crowds at bazaar

Rare meat: Sharul Shanizam holding up grilled rabbits for sale at his stall at the Ramadan bazaar near Perak Stadium in Ipoh, Perak. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star

IPOH: Sharul Shanizam Abd Rahman’s “arnab terbang terbakar” (whole grilled rabbit) is a much sought-after fare during Ramadan.

The 33-year-old, who sells the delicacy at the Ramadan bazaar near Perak Stadium here, said he sold 10,000 pieces last year.

“It was sold out four days before Hari Raya. This year, I ordered 5,000 more due to the overwhelming response and in expectation of more orders,” he said when met.

“Unlike chicken that we see very often, rabbit is rare,” he said, adding that this was the second time he was selling the dish at the bazaar.

“People want to eat something different and I have several repeat customers,” he said.

Sharul Shanizam, who normally operates at the Ipoh Night Market, said he would marinate his rabbits overnight with barbecue sauce, rosemary and a variety of spices.

“The meat will be smoked first until it is 80% cooked, before being moved to the grill. This is to allow the meat to get tender,” he said, adding that he gets his stock from a farm in Melaka.

Sharul Shanizam said a whole rabbit is priced at RM65.

“I also sell it at RM15 for a quarter and RM35 for half. It comes with rice, black pepper sauce and asam dipping sauce,” he said.

Sharul Shanizam said he was maintaining his prices even though the cost of ingredients has gone up.

“The cost of each rabbit has increased by RM3 but I choose to absorb it,” he said, adding that he also sells lamb shanks at the stall.