Your Ramadan Bazaar favourites, and where to find them now
This year’s Ramadan bazaars were arguably a stark departure from the bazaars of years past, as we saw a surge of unique and trendy food debuting at the massive and always hectic upsized pasar malams.
The huge crowds seen every night at these bazaars, particularly the flagship Geylang bazaar, clearly reflects a shift in consumers’ taste buds.
Whilst the annual food festival of independent food and drink culture has come and gone, the eating (and instagramming) need not come to an end.
I hunted down this year’s bazaar favourites to see where they’ll be next.
Food lovers, bookmark this page to jumpstart getting excited about awesome, bazaar food again.
1. Salted Egg Churros
Why didn’t I think of this before? Just when I thought the salted egg yolk trend has reached fever pitch, Loco Loco introduced churros with the familiar yellow sauce, a.k.a the best sweet-and-savoury combo I’ve seen at the bazaars.
Who: Loco Loco
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar and Tampines Bazaar
Where next:
Now to 31 July - Pasar malam at Yew Tee MRT
Now to 31 July - Blk 682 Hougang Avenue 4
30 July - The Local People X Aliwal Art Centre Sarong Party Art Market, Aliwal Art Centre
30 July to 14 August - Hougang Mall
10 & 11 September - Ultra Singapore 2016, Bayfront Avenue
2. Duck Confit and Salmon Burgers
Who: Sahwon
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Where next: 2 to 18 September - Mid Autumn Festival, Gardens By The Bay
Who: The Ugly Duckling SG
Last seen: Eunos Bazaar
Where next:
Now to 31 July - Blk 685 Hougang Ave 4
30 & 31 July - Open field beside Hougang Mall
3. “Paddle Pop” Pudding Drinks
Edible rainbows have taken over the Internet. It’s hard to miss these eye-poppingly bright novelty foods, including the Paddle Pop pudding dadih (Malay milk pudding drink) in my Instagram feed. There are at least two vendors offering this multi-coloured and multi-flavoured drink, and hundreds of Instagram photos to prove unicorns exist. Or at least, unicorn food.
Who: Perghh SG
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Where next:
29 & 30 July - This White Space bakesale, A'Posh Bizhub, 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1 #08-12
Who: Sahwon
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Where next:
2 to 18 September - Mid Autumn Festival, Gardens By The Bay
4. Rainbow Bagels
Perhaps one of the more widely photographed food items at the bazaar, these psychedelic bagels feature vibrant rainbow-coloured swirls and “funfetti” cream cheese filling, creating a fun, cheery take on the classic breakfast dish.
Who: WORD Cafe
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Permanent home: 906 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 787110
5. Giant Squids
Joining the amazing array of foods that could be found fried on sticks are these giant “sotong” or squids. Fried to a golden crisp and generously showered with flavoured powder, this delicious seafood skewer proves that it is not to be outdone by the likes of satay or corndogs. Not a fan of fried food? Opt for the equally delicious grilled squids instead.
Who: UYI
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Permanent home: 200 Victoria Street, Bugis Junction #B1-K5, Singapore 188021
Who: Sotong Brothers
Last seen: Tampines Bazaar
Where next:
20 August to 19 September - Pasar malam at Woodlands
6. Double Fried Russets
Another fried snack offering that’s after our hearts were these double fried russets by a team of young, first-time bazaar vendors. These skin-on uncoated fries were served hot and topped with either Salted Yolk, Special Cheese, Sour Ranch or BBQ sauces. Normal fries just won’t cut it anymore.
Who: The Katoshka
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Where next:
5 to 9 August - Esplanade Festival Village by LalooLalang, The Esplanade
19 August - HERE! Arts Carnival, NUS Centre of the Arts
8 to 11 September - World Food Fair 2016, EXPO Hall 6
7. Shaved Ice with Ice Cream
Ice cream covered with shaved ice in hand while inching through the bazaar crowd was a great idea, and since Singapore is hot all year round, this treat is a sure hit at all times. The dish is capped with toppings of your choice such as chendol or chocolate Oreos, resulting in something that kind of looks like an edible igloo. One crowd favourite, the ColdShave Special (Bubblegum and Lemon Lime Shave Ice), is still available too.
Who: ColdShave
Last seen: Eunos Bazaar
Permanent home: Blk 480 Tampines Street 44 #01-263, Singapore 520480
Where next: ColdShave is participating in a big event called “Our Blocks Rock 2016” organised by the People’s Association and The New Paper. Follow them on Instagram (@coldshavesg) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ColdShave) to catch them when they are in your ‘hood!
8. Drinks in Giant Cups/Bags
Unique drinks are everywhere in the bazaars this year, but there’s nothing quite like this. Stopping by for drinks sold in these giant packaging was a must, if only to Instagram how huge they were compared to your hands. Fortunately, they come in a variety of tasty flavours too, incorporating everything from soda to coffee.
Who: Togok by ZB
Last seen: Tampines Bazaar
Where next:
30 July - The Carnival Back2Fitrah organized by Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah, open field beside Punggol MRT Station Exit B
5 to 9 August - Esplanade Festival Village by LalooLalang, The Esplanade
Who: CUPZ
Last seen: Tampines Bazaar
Where next:
Now till 28 July - Tampines Mart pasar malam, 5 Tampines St 32
Who: Overdose
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Permanent home: Ooriginal at 430 Upper Changi #01-14 East Village , Singapore 487048
9. Unique Milkshakes & Grilled Sandwiches
Come for the creatively-blended milkshakes, stay for the grilled cheese sandwiches that come with a plethora of filling options. My favourite pairing: Kinder Bueno Milkshake and Black Pepper Beef Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Yum.
Who: Ice Burnz
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar & Tampines Bazaar
Permanent home: One Shenton Way, 1 Shenton Way #01-05 Singapore 068803
Where next:
30 July to 14 August - Pasar malam at Hougang MRT
13 August to 11 September - Pasar malam at Tampines MRT
10. Macaron Ice Cream
Could this be a new dessert trend? Sure, cupcakes will always hold court, but with the macaron ice cream’s debut at the bazaar, it seems time for French street confections. If anything, I think that substituting wafer or bread for giant macaron shells to hold the ice cream is pure genius.
Who: Barakah-Fe
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Where next:
5 to 9 August - Esplanade Festival Village by LalooLalang, The Esplanade
2 to 4 September - Tweens & Teens 2016, Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore
11. Granola & Popsicles
This year, one particular stall that specialises in natural artisanal foods stood in stark contrast to the other offerings at the bazaar. These included small-batch granolas and summer-appropriate popsicles like the refreshing Kiwi Watermelon and signature Fruity Lemonade.
Who: Eats My Life
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Permanent home: 216 Joo Chiat Road #01-07, Singapore 427483
Where next:
29 July - This White Space bakesale, A'Posh Bizhub, 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1 #08-12
29 to 31 July - SINGAPASAR (represented by HomeBakee), National Design Centre Atrium/Gallery @ 111 Middle Road
5 to 9 August - Esplanade Festival Village by LalooLalang, The Esplanade
Who: Momolato
Last seen: Geylang Bazaar
Where next:
Now till 31 July - Singapore Favourite Food Village, Rocher Event Space (Bugis MRT, Exit A)
30 July - Garden Beats, Fortgate at Fort Canning Park
30 & 31 July - Harmony Block Party, open field beside Hougang MRT (Part of the Bedok-Punggol CC)
31 July to 2 August - SINGAPASAR (represented by HomeBakee), National Design Centre Atrium/Gallery @ 111 Middle Road
5 to 9 August - Esplanade Festival Village by LalooLalang, The Esplanade
The Halal Eater (formerly known as The Halal Food Hunter) is a food adventurer who’s always looking forward to his next meal. Since late 2015, he’s been exploring the world of halal food, visiting the old and the new with fork, spoon and camera, and sometimes even with his bare hands. When not in hunting mode, he’s an experienced writer and marketer who loves food.
