Ramadan Bazaar In Beijing Satisfies Malaysian Food Cravings

BEIJING, July 7 (Bernama) -- Missing the mouthwatering Malaysian delicacies, especially during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan? Perhaps the mini Ramadan bazaar at the Malaysian embassy, here, is the best place for fellow Malaysians to satisfy their cravings. The bazaar, which runs from June 16 to July 15, 4.45pm-6.30pm daily, but open to the public on weekends only, offers home-cooked Malaysian food such as satay, nasi lemak, roti bom, ais kacang, curry puff, char kway teow and many more. All the stalls are being operated by the embassy staff or their spouses. "The bazaar is not only aimed at promoting Malaysian cuisine, but to also heighten the festive atmosphere here and make Malaysians feel at home," said Malaysian ambassador to China, Zainuddin Yahya. "The bazaar is being held on a small scale and all Malaysians are welcome to participate," he told Bernama, here, Sunday. So far, he said, the response had been quite overwhelming and he did not rule out a bigger bazaar next time. The Malaysia's east coast state Kelantan specialty, kuih lompat tikam, a dessert made of coconut milk, rice flour, glutinous rice, brown sugar and pandan leaf extract, and prepared here by Zainuddin's wife Fairos Ishak, were literally selling like hot cakes. "I made 10 boxes today (Sunday), and they were all sold out in the blink of an eye," she said. Fairos said besides kuih lompat tikam, she also made nasi lemak, Kelantanese specialty ayam percik (grilled chicken), mee rebus and ayam kuzi (Kelantan-style chicken curry) during the fasting month. Al-Fadil Adam, second secretary at the Malaysian embassy who is always seen in a formal suit dealing with important affairs, has transformed himself into an ais kacang seller dressed in casual tee at the bazaar. "I've been participating in the bazaar since a few years ago, but this year's is the merriest as all Malaysians can join us," he said while shaving a block of ice. Neereet Kaur, 28, the wife of an administrative officer of the embassy, said this was her second time joining the Ramadan bazaar, here. "It really makes me feel at home. See, I have bought so much food here ... nasi lemak, char kway teow, satay, air cincau...," she said with her hand carrying a big plastic bag full of food. Brandon Lee, a 23-year-old Malaysian student, said he had spent around 200 yuan (about US$32.20) at the bazaar. He said he would share the food with other Malaysian students at the dormitory. Lee, who graduated from Peking University recently, said he really appreciated the opportunity to patronise this year's bazaar as this would be his last year celebrating the holy month with the Malay-Muslims in Beijing. --BERNAMA