Ramadan Bazaars and Fasting-Month Food Culture

Every time the Asar hour approaches during Ramadan, rows of white tents suddenly sprout by the roadside, steam from ayam percik rolls up above the embers, and the smell of roti john mingling with air bandung draws people out of their homes. This is the Ramadan bazaar — a seasonal market that exists for only one month a year, yet has long been part of the rhythm of Malaysian life.

What is a Ramadan bazaar, and why is it more than just a food market?

A Ramadan bazaar is a temporary market selling dishes for breaking the fast, operating from the afternoon until close to the time of iftar every day throughout the fasting month. Traders gather at a dedicated site, and visitors come to buy dishes, kuih and drinks to take home and break the fast together with their families.

This tradition is nothing new. The bazaar at Jalan Raja Alang, Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur is among the oldest in the country — trading activity there is reported to have existed since around the 1960s and still draws crowds today. Nowadays, dozens of similar bazaars operate around Kuala Lumpur and across the country.

From a social standpoint, the Ramadan bazaar is more than just a place to buy food. It becomes a meeting place for people of all communities and a setting for traditions such as “buka bersama” (breaking the fast together) on open ground. It is precisely this open nature that makes it a civic tradition celebrated by many, not a closed event.

How are Ramadan bazaars licensed and managed?

A Ramadan bazaar site cannot be opened at will. It is licensed and supervised by local authorities — in Kuala Lumpur, that responsibility rests with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

For the Ramadan 2026 season, DBKL oversees nine bazaar locations in Kuala Lumpur, while another 32 locations are managed by hawker associations. DBKL stresses that sites are offered directly to applicants or traders, not through middlemen, to prevent inflated rental prices.

One recurring issue every year is the attempt to sell or re-let sites to third parties. DBKL states that attempts to sell sites are detected through WhatsApp channels and that it has lodged police reports to curb the manipulation of licences. Re-renting, buying and selling sites, and profiteering are prohibited, with enforcement action taken without compromise.

The table below summarises the key aspects of bazaar management in Kuala Lumpur as announced for Ramadan 2026:

Aspect	Details	Responsible party
Number of locations (KL 2026)	9 under DBKL; 32 managed by hawker associations	DBKL
DBKL site rental (2026)	Reduced from RM500 to RM400	DBKL
What is included in the rental	Canopy and public liability insurance	DBKL
Putrajaya site rental (2026)	Remains RM1,000	Putrajaya Corporation
Prohibitions	Subletting, buying and selling sites, profiteering	DBKL (enforcement)

The RM100 reduction in DBKL rental for 2026 was announced with the aim of easing costs for small traders, on condition that the same rate is also charged by hawker associations.

What dishes are commonly sold?

This is the part most eagerly awaited. The Ramadan bazaar menu leans towards hearty, sweet and colourful Malay cooking — food suited to restoring energy after a full day of fasting.

Among the dishes almost certain to be found at any bazaar:

• Ayam percik — chicken marinated overnight with coconut milk, turmeric, lemongrass and spices, skewered and grilled over embers.
• Murtabak — a thin pancake filled with beef or chicken together with egg and onion, folded and fried until crisp, eaten with a gravy and pickled onions.
• Roti john — a long loaf filled with meat and egg.
• Traditional kuih — many hard to find outside this season, such as pulut panggang, akok, kuih cara, tepung pelita, onde-onde and putu.
• Colourful drinks in jars — sirap bandung, sugarcane juice, coconut water and various sweet drinks in large containers.

For many families, the visit to the bazaar itself has become a ritual: strolling along the stalls, “hunting” for dishes, and taking home a few packets to enjoy when the Maghrib call to prayer rings out.

Who looks after hygiene, food safety and prices?

Because thousands of stalls open and close within a single month, monitoring is key. Three agencies work in tandem: the local authorities (such as DBKL), the Ministry of Health (KKM) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

KKM carries out monitoring and inspections at bazaar stalls across the country. When an offence is detected — for example contaminated food — KKM can issue a compound under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. Under the Food Act 1983, an offence can carry a fine of not more than RM100,000 or imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or both.

On prices, DBKL together with KKM and KPDN are reported to conduct daily inspections throughout Ramadan to ensure that food quality, hygiene and price control are maintained. Traders are also reminded not to set unreasonable prices — a complaint that often arises every season.

What is the etiquette for non-fasting visitors?

Ramadan bazaars are open to everyone, and non-Muslim visitors are very welcome. But because they take place during a month of deep religious significance for Muslims, a little sensitivity makes the visit more meaningful:

• Understand the purpose of the bazaar. Most people around you are fasting and buying for iftar later, not to eat on the spot.
• Avoid eating or drinking openly during the day. There is no legal prohibition, but it is considered good manners, especially in more traditional states. Take your dishes home.
• Dress modestly when visiting bazaar areas near mosques or in rural areas.
• Be patient with the crowds approaching the time to break the fast, and respect those queuing.
• Friendly greetings such as “Selamat Berpuasa” (Happy Fasting) are usually met with a smile.

If you are invited to join an iftar meal, accept it with an open heart — there is no barrier to non-Muslims joining a breaking-of-the-fast gathering, and that hospitality is part of the spirit of Ramadan.

What next

If you are planning to visit, check the official list of locations issued by your local authority (for example DBKL for Kuala Lumpur) ahead of the month of Ramadan, as sites and operating dates are announced every year. Come early for a wider choice, bring small cash, and be prepared to walk.

For traders, apply for sites directly through the local authority and avoid any “ready-to-rent site” offers from middlemen — that practice is prohibited and can lead to a licence being revoked. For further context, see the related guides on halal certification and the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.