7 Hacks Every Malaysian Should Know When Buying Food at a Ramadan Bazaar

Who doesn’t love a trip to the Ramadan bazaar right? From Roti John to Ayam Golek, there’s literally something for everyone, regardless whether or not you puasa (we mean non-Muslims okay, if you’re a Muslim don’t skip puasa yeah!).

However, sometimes our trips to the bazaar are not always that fruitful as you may either have overspent, bought foods that are not fresh or worse, tak sedap. That’s why we decided to compile a few tips and tricks to lifehack your way to the best Ramadan bazaar experience below!

1. Avoid buying pre-packaged foods and insist on the latest batch 

Source: deenamik

Pre-packaged dishes are most likely prepared as early as the morning, which lessens the taste and quality. For example, if you buy Popiah Goreng, it’ll be super soggy and for drinks, the vendor may have put a lot of sugar to compensate for the dilution which is super unhealthy.

If possible, buy food that is prepared in front of you or ask if what you’re buying is fresh from the pan!

2. Bring your own container 

Source: rini_etam

This not only helps to save the environment but you’ll even get a bigger meal portion if your container is larger than the usual bazaar packaging. Furthermore, bringing your own container will even get you discounts because most bazaars have been striving towards zero plastic wastage since 2017!

Besides going plastic-less, most bazaars are now going cashless too thanks to Boost, Malaysia’s most popular e-wallet! Available for use at over 30+ bazaars nationwide, Boost is by far the most widely used e-wallet partner for bazaars this Ramadan.

From Bangsar Telawi to Putrajaya and even down in Sabak Bernam, you can now easily pay via Boost when buying from your favourite Ramadan bazaar!

Nice! For the full list of participating bazaars, click here.

Source: Boost

3. Remember, haggling is always allowed 

Source: Astro Awani

Nothing is set in stone, even the price of a kuih Lesung Batu. Always try your luck at lower prices or for getting an extra free karipap every time you buy and who knows? You might just get lucky.

No harm in trying right?

4. Get cashback for every Ramadan bazaar purchase!

Source: Boost

Well, if you’re not a pro in haggling, don’t worry as you can actually get cashback for every purchase at the bazaar! How? Through Boost of course!

In fact, in this holy month, you can also enjoy RM3 cashback for every RM15 spent at the Ramadan bazaar when you pay via Boost!

You can get the RM3 cashback per day for up to 5 days weh! How awesome is that?

5. Many people at a stall doesn’t necessarily mean good food

Source: Air Balang

People are queuing for that Nasi Kukus, it must mean it’s super tasty right? Well, not necessarily! It may just mean that the seller is some cute lenglui rather than high-quality food. Besides, the more people for the vendor to entertain, the more rushed they will be to prepare the food which inadvertently lessens the quality control.

Always browse through your options and pick based on the vendor’s hygiene and how they cook their food rather than popularity.

6. Come near buka puasa time to get discounts

Source: Astro Gempak

Just like bakeries, most bazaar vendors want to finish their products by the end of the day even if it means cutting the prices. If you don’t mind eating a little bit late or just breaking your fast at the bazaar itself, then come around 10 minutes before buka puasa time and watch all the prices drop.

It depends on your luck though as some of the stalls may run out of food and you’ll have to find your food elsewhere!

7. Go to the bazaar with your non-Muslim friends

Source: Roketkini

Here’s a wholesome tip, always bring your non-Muslim friends with you to the bazaar. It not only allows our fellow Malaysians to share the goodness of Ramadan, but it’s also an ingenious way to have your very own food taster to check whether the dishes are delicious or not. Bazaar problems require bizarre solutions!

Besides, buying your Ramadan bazaar food together with a friend is so much easier now as you can pay via Boost and just split the bill later by sending and requesting money with your friend through the App.

Well, seeing how the holy month is also the best time to do alms and donate to the less fortunate, Boost is giving Malaysians the platform to do good by allowing users to donate directly to a host of charities including:

• Pertubuhan Kebajikan Chester
• Pusat Jagaan Sri Mesra
• Pusat Jagaan Nurul Jannah
• Make-A-Wish Malaysia
• The Malaysian Association for the Blind
• Tabung Bersamamu
• Cancer Research Malaysia and more!

What’s more, happening exclusively this holy month of Ramadan, Boost will also be donating RM1 to their “Do Good Tabung” for every RM10 each user spends in the App through:

• In-app donations.
• Scanning and paying at Ramadan bazaars.
• Donations at mosques and religious institutions.

For the full list of charities that you can donate to via Boost this Ramadan, click here.

Do good with Boost this Ramadan and start going cashless at your nearest Ramadan bazaar today!

For more information on this awesome and wholesome program by Boost, click here. From all of us at WORLD OF BUZZ, Ramadan Kareem everyone!