Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2019 – Tradition And Nostalgia Over Instagrammable Nosh

Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar begins welcoming in the crowd from 03 May to 05 June 2019.

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2018 was widely criticised for offering mostly hipster food rather than traditional Malay snacks that are usually found at the annual Ramadan event. The organiser has taken the feedback and 60 per cent of food stalls at Geylang Serai Bazaar this year will be offering traditional Malay food, while the remaining may offer “contemporary” or “hipster” options.

In addition, the stalls at the bazaar are also required to be either Muslim-owned, certified halal by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) or fulfill a halal criteria set by consultants engaged by the bazaar organisers.

Prepare lots of change and tissues but before you head down, read on to know what to expect. In the labyrinth of the bazaar, here are some foods you deserve for braving the heat and jostling crowd at Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2019.


TRADITIONAL FOODS AT GEYLANG SERAI RAMADAN BAZAAR 2019


Out of the estimated 500 plus stalls at Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2019, 60% of those selling food are dishing out traditional nosh while young entrepreneurs continue to get creative and ride on the Instagrammable hype of the recent years. We spotted deng deng, spicy ayam percik, and apam balik for our sweet tooth.

Apam Balik

APAM BALIK

The Apam Balik from Istana Apam Balik Super was one of our favourite snacks from the bazaar. A mix of Chocolate + Cheese cost us S$5 but was enough to satisfy us with its gooey thickness.

Stall WGSB 115

Ayam Percik

AYAM PERCIK

The Ayam Percik (S$2 each) was generously coated with spicy sauce making it finger-licking delicious.

Stall WGSB 138

Deng Deng

DENG DENG

From DDHS Deng Deng, we had a packet of 3 slices of well-marinated deng deng at S$4 in total and they were spicy and chewy soft.

Stall WGSB 116

Geylang Serai Finger Food

FINGER FOOD

We ordered a mix of keropok lekok, goreng pisang, keledek goreng, and wadeh for a total of S$4.50 from Sabaruah Kitchen Ramly.

Stall WGSB 113-116

Prawn Vadai Specialist

We also spotted Prawn Vadai Specialist (Stall WGSB 124) selling traditional finger foods with the addition of an interesting Chocolate Vadai (S$4) as well as Cheese Vadai (S$4).

Ramly Beef Burger

RAMLY BURGER

The Ramly Beef Burger S$4 was packed full of sauces with the aroma of fried egg sandwiched between two soft buns.

Stall WGSB 113 & 116

Turkish Kebab

TURKISH KEBAB

We also got a Chicken Kebab from Turkish Kebab House for S$5.

Stall WGSB 126


CREATIVE NOSH


If you are keeping an eye out for photogenic food and drinks as you squeeze through throngs of hungry humans, there are options made for eating for both you and your cam. There were the usual Twist Potato and even Ke Cha, but here are a couple of others you can consider lining up for.

White Rabbit

BURP — White Rabbit Drink Bucket 

The White Rabbit Drink Bucket (S$8) from BURP Live Station Catering piqued our curiousity. This drink reminded us of “susu” or Want Want Hot Kid Milk. Fresh milk was loaded with countless heaping spoonfuls of sugar which quickly sent us into a sugar rush and coma. It felt overpriced and with a cute name like that, we expected some White Rabbit candy in the mix.

Stall WGSB 125

Meatballs In Bucket

SOFNADE—MEATBALLS IN A BUCKET

The folks behind Sofnade are also back with Meatballs In A Bucket if you are missing some of the more “hipster” items from last year.

Stall WGSB 130


THE VIBES


We paid our visit to Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar early on its first day and the expanse of space seemed a lot well organised into zones. Furthermore, the bazaar is a lot more spacious as there are fewer stalls than last year.

Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019

FAIRY LIGHTS

Geylang Serai Games

GAME BOOTHS


More than just fairy lights and bright installations along Geylang Road, Changi Road, and Sims Avenue, Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019 does try to bring back the “kampung spirit”. 

Be it to break fast or to soak in the latest event this May, let us know if there are more stalls worth trying and whether you like this year’s version of Geylang Serai Bazaar as much as we did!

Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019
3 May 2019 to 5 June 2019
32 Onan Road
Singapore 424484
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar