Piping hot upgrades at Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019

While last year’s “Ramadan” bazaar didn’t quite gain public approval due to high rental fees and not-so-halal offerings, this year’s bazaar has made sure to live up to its name.

According to a blog post by MoneySmart, this year’s bazaar organisers set a rental cap of S$14,000 and ensured that all the F&B stores are Muslim-friendly. That means 150 stalls using halal-certified ingredients with a majority featuring traditional cuisines such as vadai, ayam percik, roti john, mee goreng, goreng pisang, dengdeng, otah otah and Ramly burgers.

Instragram user @spot_wonder_shoot was impressed by the event’s upgrade: “A break from Japan pictures, this is how the 2019 Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar looks like.

“Look at how wide the walkway is. Look at how high the tent is. Look, there ceiling fans! It’s a total rethink on how the bazaar is organised. For the better. Tourist ready. Also the food stall tenants appeared to be from an invited list. Some brands have more than one stall. There are less tenants but its a lot less stuffy. And see the next picture for a bigger surprise.”

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A break from Japan pictures, this is how the 2019 Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar looks like. Look at how wide the walkway is. Look at how high the tent is. Look, there ceiling fans! It's a total rethink on how the bazaar is organised. For the better. Tourist ready. Also the food stall tenants appeared to be from an invited list. Some brands have more than one stall. There are less tenants but its a lot less stuffy. And see the next picture for a bigger surprise. #singapore #geylangseraibazaar #geylangseraibazaar2019 #ramadan

A post shared by Andrew Earl Wu (@spot__wonder__shoot) on May 3, 2019 at 6:14am PDT

This was the surprise posted in the next picture. A dining area with fans. Definitely more customer-friendly.

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There are tables and benches for dining with fan machines! #Singapore #geylangseraibazaar #geylangseraibazaar2019 #ramadan

A post shared by Andrew Earl Wu (@spot__wonder__shoot) on May 3, 2019 at 6:16am PDT

Instagram account @kevin_the_hiak posted this scrumptious looking Lobster Roll by BURPLiveStationCatering. Lobster for only S$12? Yes, please.

The post included some details on the bazaar.

“What to expect this year includes a mark down of hipsterish food stalls to just a mere 40% with rest of the 60% offering Traditional Malay Food instead. I also heard rental’s lower this year but does that to translates to cheaper food & buys leh??? Hmmm…,” perused the member of the public.

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_ Hari Raya Puasa, also known as Eid al Fitr or Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the celebration @ the end of the Ramadan Month of Fasting is jus a month away on the 5th of Jun, 2019! Which means the month long #GeylangSeraiBazaar's back too, running from now till the 5th of next month yah… _ What to expect this year includes a mark down of hipsterish food stalls to jus a mere 40% with rest of the 60% offering Traditional Malay Food instead. I oso heard rental's lower this year but does that to translates to cheaper food & buys leh??? Hmmm… ???????????? _ That said, one of the stores offering affordable is #BURPLiveStationCatering with their Lobster Roll (Served with Sides of Cassava Chips) that cost less than the number of hours in a day. Yes you read that right, the Reg Size one sets you back @ $12 while the London Size's @ $19; +$2 for a Raya-esque one in Laksa Gravy. _ A Family Platter of 4 London Size Rolls cost $72 (much cheaper considering 4 X $19=$76 so gather your folkz) & additional Lobster Meat is +$8. They oso sell a White Rabbit Bucket Drink & a Rainbow Shave Ice Bucket @ $8. Seems like the White Rabbit thingy is the trend now yahhh… _ Pic taken @BURP.LiveStation.Catering #WismaGeylangSerai Booth 259 @ #GeylangSeraiBazaar2019 by @WGeylangSerai Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar Station _ #burpple #HiakKorShots #HuaWeiMate20Pro

A post shared by Hiak Kor (@kevin_the_hiak) on May 5, 2019 at 7:53am PDT

For dessert, there’s this Brown Sugar Boba soft serve by Take A Bite which is a taste of heaven.

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Boba soft serve from Geylang Serai market on the way home! #geylangseraibazaar2019 #geylangserai #boba #bubbletea #milktea #softserve #icecream

A post shared by Samuel Lam (@abcflavours) on May 7, 2019 at 7:46am PDT

For those who want to up their dessert game, Rainbow Works has the Skydancer for S$9.00 because who says sweets had to be boring?

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110519~ Today's food hunt #geylangseraibazaar2019 #harirayabazaar2019

A post shared by Bryan Hadrig Schneiser Sawada (@bryan_czy) on May 11, 2019 at 9:14am PDT

One does not have to go to Japan to taste some authentic takoyaki. Xltakoyaki offers five XL-sized takoyaki for only S$2.50.

“Three things that @xltakoyaki does to their #Takoyaki that impress us. Firstly, the size. The name aptly suits the size which is XL. Secondly, the texture. It is nice a crispy on the outside while soft on the inside, without that deep fried tasting. Thirdly, they do not hold back on their amazing sauce and the bonito. All in, this is one fantastic Takoyaki,” wrote one review.

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Thank you @smallcityisland for the wonderful feedback. #Repost @smallcityisland with @get_repost ・・・ Three things that @xltakoyaki does to their #Takoyaki that impress us. Firstly, the size. The name aptly suits the size which is XL. Secondly, the texture. It is nice a crispy on the outside while soft on the inside, without that deep fried tasting. Thirdly, they do not hold back on their amazing sauce and the bonito. All in, this is one fantastic Takoyaki. #xltakoyaki #geylangserai #geylangseraibazaar2019 #foodie #sgfoodporn

A post shared by XLTakoyaki (@xltakoyaki) on May 10, 2019 at 11:44pm PDT

Hungry yet? The Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019 will run until June 5 from late afternoon until midnight.

It is located at Geylang Serai Market. Paya Lebar is the nearest MRT station.

Visit the Facebook page of the bazaar here.