Malaysians visiting Ramadan bazaars say rising food prices are shaping their spending, with many limiting purchases to snacks and lighter dishes.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians visiting Ramadan bazaars this year have said they are spending up to RM50 a day on iftar meals, although many are opting for lighter dishes while preparing main meals at home to manage rising food costs.
Several consumers interviewed by theSun said while prices at bazaars remain generally manageable, heavier dishes such as grilled chicken or seafood can significantly increase daily spending.
Penang-based customer service executive Noor Ayuni Ayob, 40, said she typically spends between RM20 and RM50 whenever she visits a bazaar near her workplace.
“Usually, I go to the bazaar in front of my office. Once I’m there, the spending can quickly reach tens of ringgit,” she told theSun.
Ayuni added that dishes such as ayam golek can cost more than RM30 each, while even simple fare such as nasi ayam kunyit can reach RM12 per portion.
“As a family of six, we normally only buy side dishes because we cook the heavier meals at home. Occasionally, we will buy grilled chicken or grilled fish,” she added, adding that prices at the Bertam Putra Ramadan Bazaar in Penang have remained reasonable so far.
Customer service worker Muhammad Nazrul Hakimi Muhamad Sufarizal, 26, said his expenses at a Ramadan bazaar typically average about RM15 a day.
He added that his purchases usually comprise a main dish and a side dish.
“For side dishes, I might buy laksa, mee or kuey teow, while the main dish could be nasi lemak or ayam gepuk.”
Muhammad Nazrul also said if his cash in hand made it possible, he could easily spend up to RM35 in a single day buying food from the bazaar.
Bazaar customer Mohamad Fareez Fazrin Mohamad Zauqi said he typically spends about RM20, which usually covers a meal of rice and lauk, plus a drink.
However for some families, purchases at Ramadan bazaars are more of an occasional treat.
Teacher Muhammad Saifuddin Abdul Manaf, 38, said he rarely buys food from bazaars and usually limits purchases to light snacks such as kuih or murtabak.
“For a small family like mine, the cost of snacks usually comes to about RM20 at most,” said the father of three.
He added that if he were to purchase both main and side dishes, the total expenses could reach RM50.
Saifuddin added that the price of protein-based dishes is one of the main reasons he prefers to cook at home.
“I consume a high-protein diet, so the cost can be slightly higher.
“For example, a whole grilled chicken alone can cost about RM25.”
Because of this, he said he typically prepares the main meal himself and only buys selected items from the bazaar.
Ramadan bazaars remain a popular option for Malaysians seeking a wide variety of dishes for breaking fast, ranging from traditional kuih and noodles to grilled meats and rice-based meals.
The Sun Malaysia
