Malaysia: Quick And Tasty, Food Delivery Services Popular During Ramadan

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Bernama) -- Quick, easy, and tasty, are among the major factors more people choose to order food through a food delivery service, directly to their home or office. Muslims, who fast during Ramadan, also do not miss out on using such services, which offer a wide selection of food for 'iftar' and 'sahur'. Private sector employee Zanariah Zain,26, said having food delivered to the office is much more comfortable than jostling to buy food at Ramadan bazaar. "This service definitely makes it easier for me because I can choose a variety of appetising food, through the packages provided. "Usually the food ordered through this concept is not disappointing, and I am satisfied because the food is tasty." Zanariah said buying food through these services also prevented her from wasting money, as they were usually offered at reasonable prices. " If I go to the Ramadan bazaar, I'll be blinded (by the choices of food available) and in the end, I will buy a lot of food." For civil servant Yasmin Zukiman, 28, home food delivery is the norm for a working woman like herself, as it is easy and quick to be served to the family. "I have young children and often work night shifts, and having time constraints to cook is a major factor in choosing food delivery services." Meanwhile, Afiq Asri, 21, who is preparing for university examinations, said his busy studying schedule had prompted him to use food delivery services. "My time is mostly used for studying and thus do not have time to go to the bazaar which is quite far from my hostel, so the delivery service is very practical in this situation. "I order food like fried turmeric chicken rice, percik chicken rice, and 'golden chicken chop', which are not only delicious, but cheap, and people like me are able to afford it," he said. Flyingfood Delivery is among the many food delivery services helping to cater to the working population, especially women who do not have time to prepare food for 'iftar' and 'sahur' at home. Its founder Amreena Rasyada Idris, 30, said that the company provided deliveries for Malay and Western cuisines. "We prepare for the deliveries for breaking fast from 3pm to 5pm, while for the pre-dawn meals from 10pm to 12 midnight," she said. Among the hot-selling items on the menu were fried turmeric chicken rice, fried turmeric beef rice, fried turmeric squid rice, percik chicken rice, and grilled fish rice. Amreena said the Western cuisine was also popular among customers of Flyingfood Delivery, with options like the golden chicken chop, black pepper beef steak, grilled salmon, spaghetti meatball, and fish and chips. "The price of the food ranges from RM6 (US$1.50 to US$2.50). Alhamdulillah, they are affordable prices," she said. She said Flyingfood accepted bookings up to 12 noon on the same day, before the deliveries were made around Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Dengkil. "We receive an average of 80 orders per day. I will cook from 1pm to 3pm for breaking of fast meals, while for the pre-dawn meals I will begin at 8pm." Meanwhile, Nur Wahida Freezailah's specialty desserts - the durian and mango sticky rice are also in great demand during the fasting month. "Eventhough it is the fasting month now, I still receive orders for 100 packs a day for both the traditional delicacies. I learnt the recipes from my grandmother in the village," said the 32 year-old owner of Musang Atan Pulut Co. "We usually receive orders from fans of durian and mangoes, and there are some who order them to be served during the breaking of fast around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor," she said. The durian and mango sticky rice are each priced at RM15 (US$3.75)and RM8 (US$2 per packet), while the durian gravy sticky rice is priced at RM8 per packet, and the special durian gravy at RM18 (US$4.50) per packet. "We deliver every day around the Klang Valley, Putrajaya, Shah Alam and Bangi," she said. The durian is regarded by people in Southeast Asia as the "King of Fruits." The durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. -- BERNAMA