We were just recovering from the multiple food comas induced by the countless hot pot dinners during CNY, but the festive fever’s on the rise once again. That’s right, your belly doesn’t get a break, because Ramadan bazaars are popping up all over Singapore as we speak.
Although the ones in Singapore are neat and all, those across the border are of a different level. Just look at Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana; it’s the biggest one in Johor, and is stocked with all kinds of street food and Hari Raya snacks as far as the eye can see. Here’s all you need to know before grabbing your passport to make the trip over the causeway.
The Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana is located right next to Angsana Johor Bahru Mall, a shopping mall within the Tampoi suburb in Johor. The easiest way to get to Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana is by car, either by taking a private hire vehicle on platforms like Grab or by driving yourself there. The drive should take around 20 minutes from the JB customs.
If you’ve opted for the latter, you can find ample parking space at Angsana Johor Bahru Mall’s car park, whose rates are as follows:
Cars & other vehicles: RM2.50/entry, ~S$0.82
Motorcycles: RM1/entry, ~S$0.33
You can also choose to take public buses to get to Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana. From the JB CIQ checkpoint, walk over to the JB Sentral bus terminal and take bus no. J30. After a 30-minute bus ride, alight at the Opp Plaza Angsana bus stop; the bazaar will be right opposite the bus stop.
Upon reaching Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana, you’ll find that it’s absolutely massive. Unlike the ones back at home where you’d have to literally rub shoulders with fellow bazaar-goers as you queue up for your food, Plaza Angsana has converted its spacious open-air car park into bazaar grounds which play host to hundreds of stalls.
Although there’s no confirmed end-date for the bazaar, we expect it to run throughout Ramadan, so you’ve got now till late March to swing by. The Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana is open daily, from 12pm to 8pm.
Image credit: u/foodsamaritan via Reddit
It’s not dubbed the largest Ramadan bazaar in JB for nothing, so make sure to come with an empty stomach to make the most out of your trip. For starters, be prepared to feast on traditional bites that might be a little difficult to find in Singapore, such as lemang and kuih lopes (RM10/4 pieces, ~S$3.26), which are glutinous rice snacks paired with a thick serving of gula melaka.
You’ll also be able to find fan-favourite bazaar food, such as pancakes (RM13/10 pieces, ~S$4.24), waffles (RM18, ~S$5.87), croffles (RM11, ~S$3.59), doughnuts (RM12/4 pieces, ~S$3.91) and churros (RM7, ~S$2.28), all infused with flavours like chocolate, oreo, strawberry, and matcha to name a few.
Image credit: Singapore Atrium Sale via Facebook
There are also Japanese bites such as Takoyaki (RM6/5 pieces, ~S$1.96) and A5 wagyu skewers (RM18, ~S$5.87), and you can’t say you’ve been to a Ramadan bazaar without having wolfed down a Ramly burger (RM7, ~S$2.28) or 2. If you’re more adventurous, go for the unconventionally flavoured nosh such as carbonara and cheesy crab crispy popia (RM10/4 pieces, ~S$3.26) and durian goreng (RM10/5 pieces, ~S$3.26),
For the voracious, you don’t have to look hard at all to track down more heartier options. There are quite a number of stalls selling substantial eats. These include rendang (RM20/250g, ~S$6.52), laksa (RM13, ~S$4.24), nasi lemak kukus (RM3, ~S$0.98); heck, one stall’s even selling boxes of whole snow crabs (RM60, ~S$19.57) for a seafood feast.
There’s also no shortage of yummy drinks to wash everything down. Your options include big cups of kopi ais, bandung ais, teh ais cincau and green tea (from RM4, ~S$1.30), bottles of home-brewed cendol (RM8, ~S$2.61), and freshly pressed fruit juice.
Once you’ve had your fill, it’s time to dabao something for the road. Look for a sheltered white tent, and you’ll find the bazaar’s snack section. Here, you can shop for goodies ahead of Hari Raya, and the selection here is diverse. Expect to bring home festive cookies and biscuits, pineapple tarts, as well as big bottles of cordial solution.
Image credit: Angsana Malls Malaysia via Facebook
If the Ramadan bazaars in Singapore aren’t enough to satisfy your appetite, give the ones in JB a try. The Bazaar Ramadan Plaza Angsana is one of the biggest around, so you won’t have any trouble filling up that belly.
For more things to do in JB during your day trips across the border:
Cover image adapted from: Angsana Malls Malaysia via Facebook, Zach Leong via Google Maps
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