ASHREENA PILLAI visits Bangsar's Ramadan Bazaar and finds good eats and jollity in generous amounts. This week, Streets focuses on Ramadan bazaars.

I ALWAYS say to myself that you should always try something once. So when I was in college, I carried out my very own puasa. For the whole month!

It all started when I just couldn’t shake off my phobia of eating alone. Thinking of it now, it seemed so silly. But if I had the chance to do it again, I would. Because it was that very puasa that I ate my very first and (the best I have tasted) nasi kerabu in Wangsa Maju.

When I was asked to visit the Ramadan bazaar in Bangsar, I was up to the task! Secretly, I was hoping to find a nasi kerabu stall to satisfy my craving but sadly there was none. How disappointing! I am glad to report that on subsequent visits, I have found three such stalls.

There were countless other stalls though, selling all sorts of fare from the usual nasi ayam and murtabak to the ikan bakar and roti jala. The colourful kuih were also an attraction.

At this bazaar, it was clear that Pak Din’s murtabak was a hot choice. There was a continuous crowd of people at the stall. And yet Pak Din just smiled and nodded as he put more murtabak on the hot plate.

That’s what I like about Ramadan Bazaar, the buzz, the beautiful aromas and the characters you meet. And who can resist from laughing when vendors come up with cheesy lines to attract customers!

BIG FISH: The aromas from the tasty ikan bakar will make your mouth water.

One I really liked was an ikan bakar stall vendor who only wanted to be known as Erie. With the delicious smells of grilled cencaru, kembong, pari and keli wafting in the air, I was all ready to buy some.

I asked the prices and he explained that it varied according to the size of the fish, ranging from RM4 to RM7. He jested it would be cheaper if I picked ikan bilis (anchovy). This drew loud laughter from the crowd and other vendors.

He’s not the only funny man there. Towards the end of the bazaar is the Ayam Percik Bangsar stall. With about five barbecue pits and smokey atmosphere it is definitely not hard to miss.

Vendor Mohamad Rani, who has been selling at the bazaar for over 20 years, is a breeze to talk to. “RM5 seketul, RM10 sepanggang. Harga ayam sudah naik la kak” (RM5 a piece and RM10 for a roast. The price of chicken has risen, sister), he said cheekily.

According to Rani, they can sell about 100 chickens a day! He reveals that the secret is in the marinade and also the accompanying sauce.

Just before we take our leave, one of his helpers offers a piece of chicken in return for the photographer’s phone number! It’s never a bore when you go to a Ramadan bazaar.