Penrissen Camp Ramadan Bazaar brings Peninsular flavours to Kuching

KUCHING (Feb 26): Ramadan bazaars are not just marketplaces where vendors showcase their culinary touch for iftar, but also vibrant meeting points where people from across Sarawak can savour flavours that remind them of home.

Here at the Penrissen Camp Ramadan Bazaar in Pasar Dayak, it has become a hotspot for those craving a taste of the Peninsular; from fragrant Laksa Penang and rich Nasi Kerabu to local favourites like Umai, offering a colourful spread that reflects Malaysia’s diverse culinary heritage.

For Sergeant Jailaitul Akmal, 34, from Selangor, and Sergeant Elmeera Rosli, 36, from Melaka, Ramadan is a season they eagerly anticipate, where they relish the chance to enjoy authentic flavours of their hometowns in one place.

“I usually look for Masak Lemak Cili Api because many of the vendors here are from the Peninsular, so we get to enjoy the authentic taste of local Peninsular dishes,” said Jailaitul when met at the bazaar.

She said one of the bazaar’s unique charms is the availability of traditional Peninsular kuih such as Kuih Buah Melaka and Kuih Jala.

“We would normally have to travel far to find Peninsular food. So during Ramadan, it’s incredibly convenient because so many vendors gather here,” she said.

Elmeera also highlighted the bazaar’s strategic location, noting that its accessibility and ample parking make it an easy stop for visitors, especially after working hours.

The wide array of Peninsular dishes has also captured the attention of local Sarawakian Cinoz Hass, 34.

“The Ramadan bazaar here offers a variety of Peninsular dishes that are usually hard to find, such as Laksam,” she said, adding that the expanded bazaar space now allows for more vendors and greater variety.

Among the many eye-catching stalls is the Nasi Kerabu Ori Bunga Telang, known for its striking blue rice tinted naturally with butterfly pea flowers (Bunga Telang).

“What makes our Nasi Kerabu special is that we use the original recipe from Kelantan, incorporating Bunga Telang and serving it with a variety of dishes such as chicken, ikan kembung (mackerel), and ikan keli (catfish).

“Customers can truly taste the authenticity of Kelantan in every bite,” said Nik Nur Najwa, 33, a worker at the stall.

She shared that a majority of vendors at the bazaar originate from Peninsular Malaysia, which explains the strong representation of Peninsular cuisine.

Another vendor known as ‘Gerai 6 Negeri’ — a name that reflects its diverse menu inspired by multiple Malaysian states — which is run by Laila Aris, 34, from Johor, draws customers with its colourful array of traditional kuih (cake) and local Peninsular dishes.

Among the highlights of the stall are Tepung Pelita, Sagu Gula Melaka, and Dadih Rahmah, including savoury classics like Lontong Johor and Laksa Penang.

“Customers who visit my stall usually go for our Tepung Pelita, a recipe from Negeri Sembilan,” said Laila.

The bazaar also opens its doors to local entrepreneurs such as Kebab Adam, one of the Sarawakian-owned stalls that stands out with the enticing aroma of grilled meat.

“As you can see, we are the only stall here selling kebab and shawarma,” said Amy Jemi, 40, a staff member at the stall.

“We also offer roti john, but what makes ours different is that instead of minced meat, we use real pieces of meat for both our kebab and roti john.”

As dusk settles and the time to break fast approaches, the Penrissen Camp Ramadan Bazaar transforms into a lively tapestry of flavours, cultures, and shared memories.