TRYING to stand out among the 300-odd Ramadan bazaar traders at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam is not an easy task but a handful are taking it seriously by adding a twist to the usual buka puasa delights.
Instead of joining the others selling nasi ayam, ayam golek, popiah basah, cendol, rendang or putu piring, the youngsters created their own dishes.
Housemates Nabil Nasri and Zulkifli Zakaria decided to share their college snack with those visiting the bazaar as they felt others would enjoy it as much as they did.
The duo selling ‘Murtabak Maggi’ were seen busy attending to customers wanting to try the dish at RM2.20 each.
Nabil, who runs a steamboat-van business full-time, explained that the idea came about after he and Zulkifli decided to invent a new dish out of the packets of instant noodles they had at home.
He said they tried different ways of turning the noodles into a tastier treat before concocting the ‘murtabak’.
“We made the murtabak using an egg ring, noodles, chicken or beef, egg and onions,” said Nabil, who can sell up to 160 murtabak a day.
The 20-year-old, who was surprised with the public’s response but said that at present, the Murtabak Maggi was only available during the fasting month.
For baker Mohd Robaen Sedek, he keeps himself busy with the assortment of cakes he bakes daily.
The 30-year-old said he bakes and decorates the cakes with his sister who operates a similar stall in Jalan Kebun, Shah Alam.
“We wake up early for sahur and begin baking after that.
“Usually, we bake 20 different cakes using the same oven and then spend the other half of the day decorating,” said Mohd Robaen, who runs the stall by himself.
Popular snack: Deep Fried Mushrooms are a favourite among the youngand old who visit the Ramadan bazaar near Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam.
At his stall, one can find cakes such as Strawberry, Pandan, Kiwi, Durian, Chocolate, Vanilla, Black Forest, Tiramisu, Orange, Oreo as well as Cheesecake with strawberries and blueberries.
The popular ones are the Red Velvet, Rainbow Cheesecake and Durian Cake.
Mohd Robaen who picked up baking from watching cooking shows and reading cookbooks said the cakes were priced between RM3 and RM5 per slice.
With so many stalls screaming for attention, Khairul Anuar and Mohd Yassin Ahmad’s stall may be the quietest on the street, yet it is able to command a steady flow of customers.
The good friends who have been selling the deep fried oyster mushrooms for the past 11 years said the snack was a popular choice for both young and old.
When they first started, they had three flavours — original, black pepper and chicken.
“Now we have more as our customers are always looking for something new. Besides the three flavours, we also have cheese, spicy, barbecue, and curry,” he said.
The crunchy snack was reasonably priced at RM5 for three bowls.
Throughout the fasting month, Khairul said they were able to sell up to 60kg worth of mushrooms.
The duo operates from two stalls at the stadium carpark.
There are 27 other Ramadan bazaars in Shah Alam and they open between 3pm and 8pm.
