The eighth Malaysian Ramadan Bazaar yesterday had among its highlights authentic cuisine and entertainment shows for children.
Organised by the Malaysian Association in Qatar (MAQ), the annual celebration was held in a big tent at the Hyatt Plaza Mall in Doha.
“New activities included face painting, stage and acrobatic shows, raffle draws, and a decoration contest for vendors to entertain families and children,” MAQ president Ahmad Hasnan Mohd Zaki told Gulf Times.
More than 500 visitors came last Friday for the opening of the bazaar, which will conclude on June 24.
The bazaar has consistently attracted a large number of Malaysian expatriates and other nationalities every year, according to MAQ vice president Mohamed Redzuan Nordin.
“This is one of the best places to meet with families, relatives, and friends during Ramadan because we do it differently back home,” he said.“Good thing is we manage to preserve our culture and tradition.” In Malaysia, Nordin noted that they would normally visit their brothers, families and friends after the prayers to have bonding sessions with them.
Among the dishes sold at the bazaar, Nasi Lemak has remained the favourite and bestseller, according to the MAQ officials.
This Malaysian dish is rice cooked with coconut milk with sugar and some spices to produce a soothing aroma.
It is partnered with sea food cooked with curry, masala, and chilli.
Another bestseller was the Satay — chicken and beef in a barbeque stick — and eaten with peanut sauce.
Third on the list was Nasi Ayam, popularly known as chicken rice, less spicy but sweet.
The bazaar also showcased some of the best and delicious Malaysian delicacies and sweets such as agar agar, kasui and chichur udang.
“We have plenty of Malaysian dishes and sweets but not all ingredients are available here so we bring them from Malaysia to produce authentic cuisine,” Zaki added.