Trying local delicacies: Bigmeau (right) with his friends (from left) Du and Dennis Richal at the Ramadan bazaar in Little India, George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The variety of mouth-watering delicacies sold at Ramadan bazaars during this holy month never fails to attract Malaysians from all walks of life and ethnicity.
Foreign tourists are also equally impressed and fascinated with the various foods and drinks sold at these bazaars.
At the Ramadan bazaar in Little India, British tourist Elen Evans, 23, was spotted enjoying her first experience at a Ramadan bazaar.
“We never have this kind of atmosphere back in England, but here Ramadan month is terrific and feels like a fiesta,” she said.
Evans, who had recently graduated, was on vacation with her five friends. Malaysia is their fifth stop on the trip.
She and her friends were in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia before they arrived in Malaysia.
Evans said that although she enjoyed most of the food, she had never tasted anything like murtabak.
“It was tasty, a bit spicy, but with many delicious ingredients included. It was great,” she said.
Evans’ friend Molly Butler, 22, echoed similar views and described the Ramadan bazaar in Penang as fascinating and delightful.
“The food is so delicious, and although it is the fasting month, we can still get delicious food like this anywhere.
“There is just so much to explore here,” she said, adding excitement about trying nasi kandar for the first time.
Canadian Stefan Bigmeau, 51, who is here with a group of his friends from France, said it was their first visit to Malaysia for a holiday.
“I was told by the hotel receptionist where I am staying that I should try the murtabak and roti jala at the bazaar.
“It was not disappointing, and I liked it,” said the self-confessed food lover.
French tourist Fabian Du, 59, said he had heard about the famous biryani rice at the Ramadan bazaar but was disappointed when the dish was sold out.
“I will come back to try the biryani,” he said, adding that he had also tried tasting samosa, ais bandung and some local kuih.
