After a two-year hiatus, Geylang Serai's Ramadan Bazaar makes a strong comeback. Alan Teh Leam Seng writes.
AS darkness descends, the celebratory atmosphere goes into overdrive as multi-coloured festive streetlights of various shapes and sizes turn Geylang Serai and its surrounding neighbourhoods into a mesmerising work of art.
Adopting the theme "Gotong Royong – Unity & Resilience" to celebrate the spirit of neighbourliness and kindness, the street lightings and decorations including the arches along Sims Avenue and Changi Road marks the comeback of the annual Ramadan Bazaar after a two-year hiatus.
Offering many Instagrammable opportunities, these decorative street installations also celebrate the beautiful fusion of the multi-cultural Singaporean identity by showcasing the rich tradition, culture and lifestyle of the Malay community as well as key elements from other local cultures.
Centred around the bustling Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) and bordered by major thoroughfares like Sims Avenue and Engku Aman Road, the thriving Ramadan Bazaar is probably one of the best spots for tourists in Singapore to go at this time of the year.
The bazaar serves up a plethora of delectable dishes and snacks popular among the local Malay community as well as the other races that make up the vibrant Singapore social fabric.
With most shoppers and vendors looking visibly relieved with the recent string of pandemic restriction relaxations, Hari Raya run up in the Lion City looks much more exciting compared to the past two years. The increased attendance observed as the night wears on is testimony enough for the Ramadan Bazaar's success.
SHOPPING GALORE
Among the stalls enjoying brisk business is Ole Ole Paella which serves traditional Spanish saffron rice with beef, seafood or vegetable options. Through observation, it appears that the bestseller is the one with succulent prawns and fresh squid.
Meat lovers are spoilt for choice here as quite a number of stalls offer a good selection of beef and chicken choices. The proven fan favourite here is Bob's Corner which boasts of, among others, juicy burgers and tantalising Buffalo wings. Together with well-prepared steaks, the stall's popular Angus Cheeseburger is also not to be missed.
Other crowd-pullers are kebabs as well as hot off the coals grilled chicken and rib-eye steaks that are innovatively served as wraps or with brioche buns. Competitively priced with more than generous portions, these delicious meals are happily snapped up by those who are simply glad that the bazaar is finally back.
Apart from food, festive cheer at the bazaar also comes in the form of physical shopping extravaganza. Located at the grass verge along the sheltered pathway next to Tanjong Katong Complex's open-air car park, well-stocked retail stalls offering fashion, homeware and lifestyle items serve as a one-stop area for those seeking bargain purchases to complete their Hari Raya shopping.
Browsing through the wide variety of items on sale serves as timely reminder of Geylang Serai's undisputed reputation in the past as Singapore's Malay emporium, attracting locals as well as people from all over the Malay Archipelago including Malaya, Brunei and Indonesia.
This glorious past is brought to life this year through the Geylang Serai Hari Raya Shopping Experience (GSHRSE), which provides a safe, measured and pleasant experience for visitors through mindful curation of various attractions closely associated with Ramadan and Hari Raya.
FAST FACTS
Wisma Geylang Serai
1 Engku Aman Turn
Singapore 408528
TEL +65 6747 2919
WEBSITE www.instagram.com/wgeylangserai/
HOUR Daily from 1pm to 11pm, until May 2.
EAT Check out the food stalls located in Zone 2 serving tasty selections like Vadai (traditional Indian fried fritters) as well as Dendeng (thinly sliced grilled beef and chicken which has been well marinated with sugar and a rich spice mix). Also, seek out Praffles which is essentially roti canai or prata prepared using a waffle maker. Also look out for a variety of local flavours like Chilli Crab, Curry Chicken and Asam Pedas. My favourite is the Truffle Cheese Praffle which is filled with mozzarella cheese, chicken sausage and popcorn chicken topped with a creamy truffle cheese sauce.
DO Watch Apa Cerita Eh!, an exciting 8-episode talk show, on WGS' Facebook and YouTube channel every Friday at 10pm. Hosted by a well-know local personality Hussein Saaban and his son Raihan Hussein, this not to be missed Hari Raya programme consists of several segments that include, among others, music performances by Dato' Ramli Sarip, Al Jawaher and Aliff Aziz.
PROCEDURE With capacity capped at 600 at any one time, visitors are each given a small, laminated coloured card upon entry which must be returned upon exit. This system allows ushers to keep track of crowd numbers inside the bazaar.
COMPETITION Take beautiful streetlights pictures and capture memorable moments for the #InstaGEYLANG photo competition. Upload photos to the GSHRSE Instagram platform with the hashtag #InstaGEYLANG. Competition ends on May 9, 2022.
Skip the crowd and order iftar meals through foodpanda. Apply foodpanda Voucher for better prices.