If there is one unique and beautiful place that I could suggest everyone to explore, it’s definitely Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia is a diamond in the rough. The thought of visiting Bosnia never crosses one’s mind because the image of the civil war and genocide in the early 1990s still haunts the minds of many.

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But little do people know that 20 years later, this hidden gem has so much to offer. What makes Bosnia so unique is that it has all the great things a traveller would want – beautiful untainted scenery, cheap accommodation and scrumptious food! By the end of your trip, you’ll take away a part of the Bosnian life and culture which will broaden your horizons. It may sound cheesy but it’s true.

Let me break it down to you why Bosnia and Herzegovina should be on your travel bucket list.

1. Yummy and super cheap halal food!

These are burek or pies and baked chicken and potatoes – one of the main dishes in Bosnia

These three words aren’t enough to describe the food in Bosnia. I mean, can you really find delicious, halal and affordable food in the Balkans? For most Muslim travellers, finding great halal food is a challenge – so visiting Bosnia is truly like food heaven!

This is the traditional way of baking pies – which gives the pies a very smokey and delicious taste

One of the most popular food dishes is cevapcici. Before I tell you what it is, people in the Balkans generally eat more meat like beef, veal or lamb than fish. But don’t worry, the way they cook their meat is the bomb! Most of the time, they bake it in an old school oven – filled with either wood or charcoal, so it gives that smoky delicious flavour. Anyway, this dish is kind of like tender kebabs but way better! It is eaten with soft, homemade bread and sour cream and onions. Most of the time, the kebabs are a mix of lamb, beef and veal (it’s so good, guys! Once you’ve tried this, your expectations of kebabs will no longer be the same). They don’t serve chilli sauce, so if you’re a picky eater, you might want to bring you own chilli or chilli sauce

The mouth-watering cevapcici

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Apart form cevapcici, I also loved burek. It’s basically a homemade flaky and crispy phyllo pastry pie filled either with meat, cheese, spinach or other varieties of vegetables wrapped in a very thin home-made pastry. After eating my burek, I finished off my meal with ajran (or yoghurt drink). It’s a good combination to wash off the strong yet delicious taste of the pie. And let’s not forget, it’s super healthy too!

2. Cheap everything

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Bosnia’s currency is still relatively affordable because they are not part of the European Union as of yet. As mentioned above, food is cheap. So are hotels, transportation, and shopping. With the current state of economy, it can be a little painful to travel to European countries but since the exchange rate in Bosnia is low, travellers can eat and live like a king!

3. Bosnian Coffee

If you’re a caffeine addict and a little adventurous, you should definitely try drinking traditional Bosnian coffee. Their coffee is similar to Turkish coffee, made with ground coffee beans by heating it over the fire. Traditionally, it is served in small tiny handle-less cups called “findzan (finjan)”. The coffee is poured into the cups, unfiltered.

Don’t be fooled by the size of the cups, their coffee is strong!

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Bosnian coffee is thick and the smell is very aromatic. Bosnians would normally take a small bite of a sugar cube, then take a sip of coffee and let the sugar dissolve with the coffee in the mouth. This way, the unfiltered coffee granules would have settled at the bottom of the cup (instead of the usual way of stirring the sugar with the coffee, where you may end up with a chockfull of coffee sludge in your mouth!).

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The strength of the coffee can be a little overwhelming but it’s really coffee at its pure unadulterated best. I almost always take mine with milk. Bosnians drink coffee all the time – before and after breakfast, before and after lunch and before dinner. If you are fortunate enough to be hosted by a Bosnian family, you probably might experience this. It is really just an excuse for family and friends to catch up with each other and chat. So, if a Bosnian asks you to join him for coffee, you should accept. You don’t technically have to drink coffee, because it’s really their way of saying, “let’s hang out.”

4. Sarajevo – East meets West

The Pigeon Square, Sarejevo

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Sarajevo is Bosnia’s capital and it’s a very beautiful city. When you go to the old part of Sarajevo, you’ll see some parts of it influenced by the Ottoman Empire such as the Bascarcija Square (or also known as Pigeon Square). I find that the reason that the old town of Sarajevo is such an awesome city is because it’s a mix of East and West, with some parts from its historic path still remaining. As you walk down the streets of Bascarcija Square, you’ll notice that you’ll be walking on a stone walkway, which will transport you back to the Ottoman Empire. In this lovely centre, you can find tonnes of delicious and cheap places to eat which can make you a little crazy if you’re a food lover like me.

Look at the beautiful eclectic things you can buy. I brought back two carpets, among other things

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If you’re worried about gaining weight here, you should try to lose weight or work out A LOT before your trip to Bosnia. That way, you won’t gain double the weight The last time I was there, I ate so much that by the time I came back to Malaysia, my friends and co-workers couldn’t recognize me. But hey, you only live once! They also have many small boutique stores that sell so many different things from leather handbags and shoes, jewellery, carpet and kelim! So don’t forget to bring an empty bag with you.

Some of the different local crafts that are made by Bosnian people

If you’re done shopping, don’t forget to head down to the historic bridge—where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, which led to the First World War. At this part of Sarajevo, the buildings have an Austrian architecture, which is why Sarajevo is considered to have a mix of both East and West.

The historic bridge where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated

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When you walk further away from the Bascarcija Square, you’ll notice that some of the buildings are still marked by the war. You can see that the exterior of several buildings have not been repaired which reminds many Bosnians and visitors that the war shall never be forgotten.

5. Stari Most in Mostar

Old Bridge, Mostar

Apart from Sarajevo, there are so many other interesting places in Bosnia. Mostar is another must-go place for visitors, especially if it’s your first time. Here you can find the historic Old Bridge or Stari Most, which was built by a great architect Sinan during the Ottoman Empire. Sadly, during the Bosnian war, the bridge was destroyed. It took them several years to rebuild the bridge as money was a challenge after the war. Many organizations contributed to rebuild the bridge and Alhamdulillah, it has been rebuilt and since then, it has become a symbol of reconciliation.

Another view from Stari Most – gorgeous isn’t it?

6. The Tunnel of Hope

The tunnel is built under this house, which belonged to Edis Kolar

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The Tunnel of Hope has a personal and sad story to it. From the name of it, you already know it’s a tunnel and can figure that it connects people to other places in the war in 1993 but the interesting thing about it is that it was built under the home of Edis Kolar. When Kolar was eighteen, he pushed President Izetbegovic for the tunnel to be built. What an inspiring story, right? The tunnel was the lifeline for Bosniaks living in Sarajevo during the three-year siege because without the tunnel, they would not have been able to get food, water and electricity. The tunnel was the only thing that connected Sarajevo to the outside world. If you’re the type that easily gets emotional, make sure to bring a packet of tissue because this visit will bring you to tears (that’s what it did to me).

7. Sebrenica Genocide Photo Exhibition

The entrance of the Sebrenica Exhibition. No pictures can be taken.

When you visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s compulsory for you to visit Sebrenica Genocide Exhibition in Sarajevo. The exhibition captures the atrocities of the Bosnian civil war both in pictures and in videos. Inside the exhibition you’ll find that most pictures are in black and white, to illustrate how devastating the war really was. For the longest time, many major powers including Europe and the United States did not want to use the term “genocide” with regard to what was happening to the Bosniaks because that would mean that nations would need to intervene to stop the Serbs from committing genocide. They preferred to use the term “ethnic cleansing” instead. From the videos in the exhibition, you will find many disturbing accounts of how thousands of innocent Muslims were systematically killed, slowly being erased from their own land

8. Enchanting castles and fortresses

If you grew up on Disney cartoons and always wanted to be a princess, then you should visit the castles across Bosnia. Okay, let’s get real – we all grew up and are not interested in being princesses anymore. On a more serious note, the castles and forts in Bosnia are distinct due to the influence of the Ottoman Empire.

The majestic fortress in Tesanj

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The Tesanj fortress stands mightily atop a hill guarding it’s protectorates in the Old Town of Tesanj. Views from the Tesanj fortress are nothing short of spectacular. In the soft glow of the dawn light it resembles a medieval castle straight out of the chapter of a fairytale.

The Old Town of Tesanj is a charming old Ottoman enclave. If you’re too tired of climb up those steps, amble through the town on the cobblestone streets and browse through the shops or sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee.

9. Natural beauty

Vrelo Bune

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In Bosnia, a land of such breathtaking natural beauty and majestic mountains rivalling the Swiss Alps, it is difficult to pin point the most beautiful place in all of Bosnia. But, Vrelo Bune (the spring of the river Buna) could arguably be it. A Tekke (Sufi Monastery) is built into the natural surroundings, constituting a single entity with the cliffs. The sight of the charming façade of the Tekke tucked into 200 m high rugged stone cliffs whilst emerald green spring water bubbles from the nearby cave is truly an unforgettable sight.

10. The people

I have visited Bosnia twice and if there’s one thing that doesn’t change, it’s the warmth and hospitality of the people. As you stroll down the streets of quaint town centres like in Sarajevo, you’ll be greeted with warm smiles and greetings. Whenever you are window shopping or plan to buy any souvenirs, don’t forget to have a small chat with the shop keepers. It’s normal for them to ask you where you’re from and what brought you to Bosnia.

Bosnians are well known for their hospitality

The last time I visited Bosnia in 2013, I remember exploring a small art fair in the old madrasah in Gracanica, a small town 8 hours drive away from Sarajevo. As we were looking around, one of the sellers approached us and started talking to us in Bosnian. Naturally, we didn’t know what she was talking about but luckily, she had her nephew who spoke English well. When they found out that we were Malaysians, they were so excited and invited us in for coffee. She started talking about her son who studied in Malaysia and how he now has his own IT company. As she was telling us her story, you could see from the sparkle in her eye that she was really proud of her son  They also have a fond regard of Malaysians as Malaysia was one of the countries that gave assistance to them during the war.

We then began bonding and started talking about other things like the art and crafts that they produce. What started as a half an hour chatting session ended up being a two-hour bonding session.

A madrasah that turned into an art and cultural centre, Gracanica.

Honestly, summarising the reasons to travel to Bosnia is more challenging than what I had initially thought. It’s really hard to describe with words what this diverse country has to offer. The natural landscape and untainted cities and villages are beautiful yet haunting. After my trip to Bosnia, I did not just have a lot of fun but I was inspired by the people’s kindness regardless of pain and hardship that they had to go through during the genocide. My trip to Bosnia has changed how I see the world. It has forced me to be empathetic towards people who were ridden by conflict and makes me want to help them, whether it’s by buying their local crafts or promoting their country to invite more tourists. And this, is why you should visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.

*Pictures that are not credited were taken by the writer herself when she visited Bosnia in 2013.

Ramadan is meant to be a time for spiritually, mentally, physically and socially improving oneself but we know that the productivity slump during the month is very real too! Here are 10 easy tips to have a fruitful Ramadan thanks to the good folks of Productive Muslim 

Have a blessed month!

Bustling and vibrant, Ramadhan bazaars have earned a reputation for serving heart-warming local delights that hits straight to the soul. Within the 30-day window of the holy Ramadan month, the best street food stalls come together for a reunion of local flavours that will make Iftar just right for you.

The bustling landscape of the yearly Ramadhan bazaar

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Whether it’s the tenderness from juicy barbecue wings that you seek or the tingling flavours of saffron from a hearty chicken biryani, your nearest Ramadhan bazaar has everything you need and more.

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1. Ayam Percik

Grilled ayam percik for Iftar, anyone?

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Always the first to greet you at the entrance of any Ramadhan bazaar is the wafting scent of grilled ayam percik. Seasoned and marinated for hours before the birds are placed on the grill, it’s fair to say that your Iftar table would be incomplete without it.

Another take at the ayam percik.

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We love the lightly charred skin that delivers a tinge of crisp before we sink our teeth further into its juicy and tender meat. Like every true Asian, have it with a side of steamed rice to feel complete.

2. Murtabak

Round off your Iftar with off-the-griddle murtabak

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Apart from being a midnight mamak favourite, murtabak is also a yearly hit in most, if not all, Ramadhan bazaars. It’s fast and filling – all it needs is flavourful curry for a side kick and murtabak will make a fuss-free Iftar option. Widely available in Malaysia and Singapore, this local classic is normally stuffed with well-seasoned beef or chicken mixed with onions before it lands on the griddle till it browns.

Heart-shaped murtabak maggi

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Murtabak is such a sought-after delicacy that stall owners would come up with creative variations to set them apart from the rest. In the past, we’ve seen murtabak maggi and murtabak jala on our Instagram feeds. This year, we can’t wait to see what this coming Ramadhan has in store.

3. Roti John

It’s all about generous helpings of local ingredients

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Roti Johns are so messy that we’re almost convinced that there’s no polite way to devour this local sandwich by hand. Still, it is deliciously in-demand and earned a spot as a staple in the annual Ramadhan bazaar. Mostly served in sharing portions, this old-school snack (or dinner to some), is generously drizzled with standard condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise, over a bed of grilled meat or chicken patty and topped with chopped cabbage.

The messy goodness of Roti John

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#HHWT Tip: Often served as a whole, nudge the stall owner to slice it up in smaller portions for convenient sharing.

4. Nasi Briyani

Lip-smacking selections of spicy curries for your briyani dish

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Nasi biryani is basically everything that we could ask for in a carb-perfect meal: a generous helping of fragrant Basmati rice and a side of chicken. If you’re in a hurry, speed walk to any biryani stall and order the ready-made packs to go. We recommend savouring every spoonful of this Indian and Malay influenced dish with beef rendang, chicken curry or deep fried drumstick.

More briyani rice for us, please!

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5. Local Drinks

Colourful thirst quenchers

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Now that you have the best of deep fried and grilled goodness, complete your meal with local thirst quenchers from the drinks stall. Mostly served cold, we suggest taking home the classic bandung or sour asam boi. Of course, there’s a broad selection of refreshing beverages from air mata kucing (longan drink) to fruity cordials to try.

6. Kuih-Muih

A selection of sweet and savoury kuih muih

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If you’re in the mood for straightforward snacks and desserts, hit the sweet spot with the medley of kuih-muihs from the bazaar. Presented in a range of bite-sized shapes and colours, the variety will certainly spoil you silly. For something sweet, pick up a few pieces of tepung pelita, kuih lapis, ondeh-ondeh and kuih keria.

The beautiful symmetry of tepung pelita

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If savoury is how you like them, curry puffs, donut ikan bilis and popiah goreng are begging you to take them home.

The golden rule for purchasing kuih muih: Buy more for less!

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7. Ayam Golek

Get a whole bird for a convenient family iftar

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An alternative to the much-loved ayam percik, the popular ayam golek has more moves than the rest of the birds. Definitely a spectacle to watch, we could gaze all evening and watch each bird slowly grilled with every turn over the smoke-fest charcoal. Served with tiny packets of chilli sauce, just a small dip of it will bring out the true flavours of this finger-licking ayam golek.

Leave room for these succulent barbecued wings

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If a whole chicken is too much for a solo Iftar, pack a couple of barbecued chicken wings to go and relish the joy of not having to share these juicy wings with anyone.

8. Pulut Panggang

Pulut panggang is definitely a crowd favourite

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Shifting the spotlight on a local treat as humble as pulut panggang requires little deliberation. They’re no scene stealers but they’re definitely a heart-warming staple that reminds us of our hometown. A tasty mainstay in Ramadhan bazaars, each glutinous rice is stuffed with a mix of grated coconut, prawn flakes and spicy belacan before it is being wrapped and grilled over charcoal.

Savoury stuffings of a pulut panggang

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9. Ikan Bakar

Grilled fish with a side of rice feels heavenly

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Chicken and beef aren’t the only things they place on the grill. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a stall or three dedicated to the all-time ikan bakar. Charred on the outside and tender on the inside, nothing beats the experience of tasting the crispy skin and juicy meat in every bite. With pomfrets, tenggiri, patin and red snappers as firm favourites, be sure to save ikan bakar for occasional departures from your favourite meats.

10. Putu Bambu

Take a break from heavy flavours with putu bambu

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If you feel like taking a break from heavy flavours, you will appreciate the simplicity of the yearly favourite, putu bambu. Often steamed in a cylindrical bamboo, the pandan-infused rice flour is laced with palm sugar for a sweet surprise. Topped off with grated coconut flakes, all there’s left to do is to enjoy every bite.

Another must-try variation is the putu piring where the same mixture is steamed inside a metal plate-like casing to achieve a flattened shape.

The classic putu piring

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11. Roasted Lamb

A yearly treat in Ramadhan bazaars

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We love how Ramadhan bazaars made premium proteins accessible to the masses. Take the roasted lamb, for example. Yummy as it is cool to watch, the technique is all about taking things slow by grilling the richly seasoned lamb for hours over a bed of flaming charcoal. Your neighbourhood bazaar may serve them with a side of garlic bread and greens while others prefer them stuffed between a warm pita bread.

12. Bubur Lambuk

A humble dish that reminds us of home

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You can’t go wrong with a bowl of bubur lambuk for buka puasa.  A simple and uplifting appetiser, the local Ramadhan bazaar would serve them in neat containers for convenient carrying.

Teamwork plays a role in preparing the traditional bubur lambuk, which is regularly given away for free at mosques as well!

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Whether it’s the lingering flavours of cloves, star anise and cardamom or the bite-sized beef slices in every spoonful that got you hooked, bubur lambuk remains a favourite that makes us feel right at home where our heart is.

With a variety of delicacies that conjures memories of home and Raya excitement, there’s truly a lot to love about Ramadhan bazaars. If you’ve not been to one, take a chance and you’ll be surprise to see how  the flavours of ayam golek, putu bambu or kuih pelita grow on you.

The time of the year when Muslims around the world observe fasting for an entire month has dawned upon us, and we thought it would be great to give a few facts about the holy month of Ramadan.

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1. It’s more than just refraining from food and drink

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Although one of the main conditions for fasting is to refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset (which isn’t all that bad, really!), Muslims should also refrain from engaging in bad habits like gossiping, swearing, lying, arguing, etc. Apologies in advance if we keep our distance due to crankiness from a lack of our daily dose of morning coffee  We’ll be just as energetic as usual once we’ve gotten into the groove of fasting and performing extra acts of worship during the coming weeks!

2. …but you can eat in front of us!

It’s nice that our friends who aren’t fasting try to hide their lunches away from us, but really it’s perfectly fine for us to look at food.

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Sure, we might be a little hungry but don’t worry, we’re already thinking of what to get from the Ramadan bazaar or what to eat for iftar already (or searching the web for recipes of what to make…). But in all seriousness, we really appreciate it when you join us for iftar (breaking of the fast) instead

3. A typical day in Ramadan goes something like this..

We wake up way before the crack of dawn to prepare and eat the first meal of the day, called sahur or suhoor (depending where you’re from), and this meal that we gobble down groggily has to last all the way to sunset!

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We then perform the Fajr (dawn) prayer…and go back to sleep! Or get ready for the day and do other acts of worship, whichever works for you  Then we go on with life as per normal – school, work, or bum around – and not forgetting to perform our daily prayers of course, and finally break our fast with a light meal before performing the evening prayer. Many also go to the mosque to perform terawih prayers, which is only done during the month of Ramadan.

[You can definitely stay productive during Ramadan with these simple tips]

4. The dates of Ramadan changes each year!

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Much like the Chinese lunar calendar and the shifting dates of Chinese New Year, Muslims also follow the cycle of the lunar calendar, which doesn’t match with the usual solar calendar most of us are accustomed to. Therefore, the dates of Ramadan, which is the 9th month on the Islamic calendar, changes by approximately 10-11 days each year, and is confirmed once the new moon is sighted after the month of Shaaban.

5. Ramadan is also known as the month of the Quran

This is because the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, or also known as “the Night of Power”.

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”  Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185

It is a month where we should reconnect with the Quran, reflect on its meaning and strive to implement its wisdoms. When reading the Quran, we’re also making lots of dua, and how wonderful it is that the supplication of someone who is fasting is not rejected

6. Yep, not everyone needs to fast, so don’t be surprised if you see some people eating!

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If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have a serious illness, are a traveller (bonus for those who are travelling during the fasting month!), or if your health will be at risk if you’re fasting, you do get concessions to not fast. Young children who have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast

6. There are also plenty of benefits of fasting for your health

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Besides being able to reboot yourself spiritually, there are also plenty of benefits of fasting during the month of Ramadan. Not only will you get to shed some weight (if you don’t go too crazy indulging yourself with fried food and sweet drinks during iftar that is!), our bodies will also experience higher levels of endorphins after a few days of adjusting into its new pattern of food intake. This means that we’ll actually be more alert, happier and feel better overall! It’s also the best time to ditch bad habits like smoking

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Oh, and those dates you usually break your fast with? Amongst other benefits that dates have, it also decreases the feeling of hunger you have after a long day of fasting, so you won’t rush into digging in to that pile of food which might cause you indigestion!

7. Ramadan is also a month to celebrate with family and friends

Although it might sound strange that so many people look forward to a month where they have to refrain from so many things, the entire month is actually quite festive as people gather with their families and friends to break their fasts with feasts that aren’t usually served on normal months (although do remember that moderation is key!), and congregate at neighbourhood mosques to perform prayers together.

Getting together for iftar in Turkey.

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It’s also wonderful to know that you’re not alone in facing the struggles of self-betterment! Millions of Muslims around the world are doing it too, and that feeling of connectedness is truly something special  We’re all one ummah and fulfilling our responsibilities individually and collectively is what Ramadan is all about!

8. Ramadan looks different in different parts of the world

Not only do fasting times differ depending on where you are on the globe (Muslims in Denmark fast for a whopping 21 hours, Malaysians and Singaporeans fast for around 14 hours while those in Argentina will only fast for around 9 hours), traditions and cultures that celebrate Ramadan are different too.

Chinese Muslims of the Hui ethnic minority pray over food before breaking their fast.

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In Malaysia and Singapore we look forward to our Ramadan bazaars stocked with traditional treats like ayam percik and tepung pelita, while those in India and Pakistan enjoy their beloved super sweet rooh afza and Palestinians prepare trays of baklava.

[Check out these classic Malaysian delicacies at the Ramadan bazaar if you’re in Malaysia!]

9. We get to end the month in an even bigger celebration

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After a long month of fasting, we get to reward ourselves with mouthwatering food and new clothes! Muslims should dress for Eid in their best clothes, and visit relative and friends looking their finest, to celebrate the joy and happiness of completing a whole month of fasting during Ramadan.

10. It isn’t easy, but it definitely is rewarding

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For 30 days, we stop fully relying on food, drink and other distractions from our lives. It really feels refreshing to reset your body and mind to build constructive habits, to spend more time reflecting on our lives and those who are less fortunate than us, and to increase in giving and charitable acts.

Ramadan truly teaches us lessons in humility, forgiveness, and selflessness, while strengthening our faith and dependance towards Allah. Have a blessed month from us at HHWT! ❤️

While we try to have iftar at home as much as we can, there are days when we want to enjoy a meal outside with our friends and family. After all, it’s sunnah for us to eat together!   If you’re planning a gathering, you’ll need HHWT’s pick of eateries in Singapore that’ll be perfect for iftar, ranging from Asian fusion cuisine to international cuisine!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our series of Ramadan articles!

Travel With Your Tastebuds

1. The Mad Sailors

Look at that spiffy storefront!

The latest kid on the block (or rather Haji lane ) is the place to be if you’re craving for authentic British grub! With a pretty extensive menu including classic British food such as fish and chips, bangers and mash (halal sausages of course) and even their own take on the classic salt beef bagel, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Classic Fish & Chips, Lemon Tartar Angler Sarnies and Berry Bena Slushy Pint

The Fish & Chips (we had the cod fish, which is the only choice for Iftar so that you can get your food fast!) is pretty different from what we have in Singapore as the batter is really light and of course, super crispy! And forget about those skinny fries, because we’re going for the authentic experience with actual thick chips. If you want to go all out, try it with vinegar and salt, like how they do it in the UK!

Fish & Chips with salad and mashed peas

The Lemon Tartar Angler Sarnies (battered cod fish in a brioche sandwich) is another hot favourite from the classics and it’s ours as well. The brioche is perfectly toasted and the lemon tartar sauce is light but adds something different from your usual tartar sauce. We highly recommend the Berry Bena for Iftar as it’s super refreshing and pretty much the perfect drink to break your fast with!

We also tried the Marmite Honey Wings and it’s definitely something we would recommend even if you’re not a fan of marmite! Surprisingly, the distinctive taste of the marmite is not too overwhelming when paired with honey, and we ended up really enjoying the sweet wings with a slight salty tinge.

For The Mad Sailor’s Iftar set menu, you get to choose a main on the classics menu (EXCEPT Toad In The Hole and Good Ol’ English Fry Up, cod fish only for Fish & Chips), a slushy pint and a dessert on the afters menu (EXCEPT Fried Snickers). We’re already planning our next visit to try out the other items on the menu!

Price: $25 for the Iftar set meal. Check out the full menu here.
Opening Hours: Sun to Thur – 12noon to 10pm, Fri and Sat – 12noon to 11pm. (6pm to 9pm for Iftar)
Address: 24 Haji Lane, Singapore 189217
Reservation: Make a reservation on their site http://www.themadsailors.sg/reservations or drop them a text at 8248 2853

Asian Fusion

2. Hyde & Co

With a different dinner set menu every week, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice at Hyde & Co! Just thinking about their mains for the Iftar set has us drooling. If you’re a chilli crab lover, you absolutely have to order their chilli crab pasta which is also their bestselling dish and is on the menu for the whole of Ramadan.

We love how well thought out their dishes for the Iftar menu are – yummy and filling without being too heavy, perfect for breaking your fast.

Week 1 – Har Cheong Kai Chicken Burrito

Burritos can be a little on the heavy side but the Har Cheong Kai Chicken Burrito (prawn paste chicken) fills you up without being too overwhelming, thanks to the homemade sambal kicap aioli sauce in the burrito which just makes you take bite after bite!

Week 2 – Miso Salmon

Healthier option? Try Hyde & Co’s salmon fillet marinated in miso, served with maple glazed vegetables and crushed roasted potatoes! Not only is it healthy, it’s also super yummy!

Week 3 – Roasted Chicken Leg

Tender chicken leg with cajun and rosemary. YES PLEASE. We also love the mashed potatoes served with the roasted chicken leg.

Week 4 – Beef Cheek Rendang

Of course, you can’t miss out on the rendang. We love that the rendang is served with sweet potato mash and Japanese rice just to add something different to your usual rendang dish.

The Addams Family

Each set comes with your choice of a main, soup and Hyde’s special Home Blend Iced Tea – The Addams Family, an iced Moroccan apple tea with apple bits (trust us, it’s really light and refreshing!).

Set meal for first week – choose from two mains!

Price: $25 for a set meal
Opening Hours: Two seatings – 6.30pm to 8.15pm and 8.30pm to 10pm. Do note that they’re only open for Iftar from Wed to Sat.
Address: 785 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198753
Reservation: Reservations to be made at least 1 day in advance. Phone: 6635 5785 | Text: 9383 8735
Please include the following in the reservation:
– Name
– Number of Pax
– Contact Number
– Date/Day of Dining
– Timing (1st Seating or 2nd Seating)
– Choice of Mains

 3. Flavour Flings

Load up on your protein with the many egg (and salted egg) dishes that Flavour Flings has to offer!

Royale – smoked salmon with poached eggs on brioche

Not only do they have a number of yummy egg dishes, they also serve some hearty pasta and pancakes. Of course, if you’re a fan of salted egg, then we definitely recommend ordering a salted egg yolk fries to share, as that’s our absolute favourite!

Smoked Salmon Aglio Olio

And for dessert, don’t forget to try their latest salted egg creation, the salted egg brioche brick toast! The thick toast is wonderfully crisp and soaks up the salted egg yolk sauce perfectly. Did we also mention that Flavour Flings has perfected their salted egg yolk sauce to achieve the right balance of sweet and saltiness? You definitely have to tick this off your list if you’re a fan of salted egg!

Had a preview of @flavourflings brioche with salted egg yolk lava and it's super yummy! The brioche was baked to a crisp and makes the perfect dessert for sharing P.S. This is only available from 1 June & in limited quantities each day! #havehalalwilltravel #hhwt #halalsg #sghalal #flavourflings : Singapore

A photo posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on May 24, 2016 at 10:20pm PDT

#HHWT Tip: You can also enjoy a 10% discount off your total bill this Ramadan when you flash the HHWT Travel Planner app at Flavour Flings! Download at hhwt.io if you’ve yet to

Price: Check out the prices on their menu here
Opening Hours: Weekdays – 11am to 9pm, weekends – 9am to 9pm. Closed between 4pm to 5.30pm and on Tuesdays.
Address: Blk 121 Hougang Ave 1
Reservation: Drop them a DM on Facebook or call 6286 0051

4. Wilder

A rustic hideout located at North Bridge Road, Wilder is a cosy little café to visit with your family and friends! They’ve whipped up some yummy dishes for their Iftar menu and it changes every week, so yay for variety! Don’t forget to check their Instagram page for weekly updates!

Their Iftar set comes with your choice of a main, a soup or salad and one drink. For the first week, you get to choose from three mains.

Pulled Beef Burger with hand-cut taters

We love the homemade buns which is pretty different from other burgers that we’ve tried, as well as the braised beef which is really flavourful (marinated for a whole 12 hours!). Of course, we never say no to onion rings in our burger

Slow roasted Chicken

Go for the healthier option with the roasted rosemary chicken and cauliflower mash instead of your usual potato mash! Trust it, it’s much lighter and every bit as good! Drizzle the tomato roasted broth to add that extra bit of flavour on your chicken!

Spicy Salted Egg Smoked Salmon Pasta

And if you want some spice, you can always opt for the smoked salmon pasta which comes with a tinge of salted egg and spice!

Looking for a healthier option this Ramadan? Wilder also provides takeaway/pick-up with healthier choices through Lokalfeed And Kakis! Check out their page for more details and order here.

#HHWT Tip: If you’re visiting with friends, check out the ‘Something to Share’ menu – we’re absolutely in love with the salted egg yolk calamari, and the desserts menu if you want something sweet after!

Salted Egg Calamari

Price: $26 for a set meal
Opening Hours: Two time slots for reservations.
a) 6.45pm to 8.15pm b) 8.15pm to 10 pm
Address: 749 North Bridge Road (Jalan Kledek), Singapore 198717
Reservation: All reservations to be made at least ONE day in advance via Google Forms. Any cancellations to be done at least SIX hours before reservation.

5. Afterwit

Chicken Rendang Burrito

We’ve raved about Afterwit’s food too many times to count and this Ramadan, they’re taking Mexican fusion to a whole new level with their special rendang dishes! So if you love your rendang, you absolutely have to try their Spiced Beef Rendang Taco and the Chicken Rendang Burrito.

Spiced Beef Rendang Tacos

Afterwit’s Iftar set dinner includes a main (any taco or burrito), a drink of the day/ice tea of the day and a dessert.

Price: $30 for the Iftar set, additional $2 for Ramadan specials.
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm. Kitchen will be closed from 3pm to 6.30pm and kitchen orders will only be open from 7.45pm onwards.
Address: 778 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198746
Reservation: Do note that the Iftar set is by reservations only. Reservations to be made by 4pm the day before. SMS or drop a Whatsapp message to 8501 0345 in the following format:
Date:
No. of Pax:
1. Main
2. Drink of the day OR Iced tea of the day
3. Dessert – mango cheesecake or double chocolate brownie

6. The Lab

Pesto shrimp pineapple canapes

We loved The Lab’s Iftar set menu last year and this year they’re upping their game by providing you with a whole lot more to choose from! From salted egg yolk and thai green curry pasta to their range of signature burgers, you’re definitely in for a treat at The Lab! We’re definitely eyeing their mango crayfish which is one of the many new main dishes that they’ve added to their menu and if you are reaaally hungry, you can also opt for Set B which comes with a starter as well!

One of our favourite starters – Ayam Karat!

Did we also mentioned that both sets come with dessert? You can either opt for their sticky date pudding (which we absolutely LOVED, and finished every single bite of) or their latest dessert offering – churros cups!

Churros cup

You have a choice of two different sets for Iftar at The Lab. Set A comes with 1 choice of beverage, 1 choice of mains/burgers/pasta/sandwiches and 1 choice of starter or iftar Dessert while Set B comes with an additional choice of starter.

Iftar beverages

Price: Set A – $35, Set B – $43
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun, 1.30pm to 9pm
Address: 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745
Reservation: Reservations are open for 2pax and above. Do contact 82226560 / 62995681 for details or early reservations for any date. Check their FB page for the full menu.

For The Burger Lovers

7. Working Title

Working Title – Iftar set

Fancy some burgers for Iftar? Then you absolutely have to visit Working Title. If you don’t already know, they have a wide range of burgers, from their bestsellers such as Holy Guacamole to their latest offering, the Swiss Miss (also our newest favourite )! Their Iftar set menu allows you to choose any burger (EXCEPT the Tower of Power), Bandung latte (iced or hot) and a cake to finish off your meal with (you can change this to a coffee).

Our go-to drink at Working Title – bandung latte!

Of course, if you’re visiting with family and friends, don’t forget to check out their sides to share! The truffle tater tots are one of our go-to appetizers

Finish off your meal with a Nutella Mousse tart or choose from their range of desserts!

Price: $25 for a set meal
Opening Hours: 6pm to 9pm (for Iftar)
Address: 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745
Reservation: Make a reservation on their website or call in at 8248 2841. Do note that reservations will only be held for 10 mins.

8. Kaw Kaw

Burgers with a local twist? Drop by Kaw Kaw and try some of the burgers that they’ve whipped up specially for the month of Ramadan!

If you’re looking for some spice in your burger, try the Lemak Cili Api Burger (grilled chicken in traditional lemak chilli api sauce) or the Ayam Percik Burger (grilled chicken marinated in special spices, topped with smoky percik sauce)! They were a little on the spicy side for us (but we’re sure you’ll do fine), but we couldn’t resist that extra mouthful of tender grilled chicken!

Lamb Stik Burger

Can’t handle the spice? Try the Lamb Stik Burger instead! The lamb patty was perfectly glazed in smoky sauce and topped with a braised lamb sauce that is super yummy and left us wanting more!

We also love that Kaw Kaw is selling their drinks by the pitcher, so you can choose to either share a few pitchers amongst your family and friends or hoard one to yourself and drink up! The pitchers come in four flavours – bandung, lime juice, milk tea and honeydew.
Price: $15 for the Iftar special burgers, $4.90 for a pitcher of drink
Opening Hours: 4pm to 10.30pm. All Iftar reservations to be seated by 6.45pm. 4pm to 6pm will be strictly for takeaways only.
Address: 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918
Reservation: Call after 4pm for reservation at 6444 8349 or email them at makanstate@gmail.com

Family-Friendly

9. Straits Kitchen – Grand Hyatt

Roasted lamb

Looking for a restaurant for your family gathering? Visit Straits Kitchen at Grand Hyatt for a delicious Iftar buffet, with a humongous spread of local favourites as well as Middle Eastern dishes! The recipes for their middle eastern fare are from their sister hotels in UAE, so you can be sure of the authenticity of the dishes. Amongst the middle eastern highlights are the colourful salads as well as an entire roasted lamb!

Middle eastern salads

Some of our favourites from the local spread also includes the roast duck (Mikhail was going crazy over that), chilli crab with fried buns, Indian curries and the SATAY. We were pretty impressed with the entire spread especially the satay, which was tender and sweet (the marinade was awesome). Remember to eat it straight off the grill

Roast duck, steamed and soy sauce chicken

And of course, you have to finish off your meal with desserts. We’re not kidding when we say you’ll be spoilt for choice as there’s a whole range of desserts to satisfy everyone. You can choose from Chinese desserts like yam paste with gingko nuts, Nyonya desserts, desserts from Middle East such as fried dough which is kinda like churros… The list goes on  They even have goreng pisang and ice cream if you still have the appetite for more!

Nyonya delights

Fresh seafood

#HHWT Tip: Prayer rooms are provided by the hotel and the call to prayer will be broadcasted through the speakers. There are also dates for you to break your fast with.

Price: $78++ (Subjected to service charge and GST)
Opening Hours: 6.30pm to 10.30pm, daily
Address: 10 Scotts Road, Lobby Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 228211
Reservation: Call +65 6732 1234 or visit singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com.

10. Cajun on Wheels

Spot our HHWT sticker on the left on the truck when you visit :P

Cajun on Wheels is the place to be if you’re craving for some (or a lot of) seafood! We shared the Poseidon bucket amongst the three of us (serves 2-3) and got to try their latest sauce – Tom Khai Talay, a slighty spicy thai coconut sauce. The bucket came with a generous serving of seafood which included white clams, mussels, prawns and of course, a sri lanka crab! You also get corn, potatoes and chicken spam in the bucket to soak up all the sauce.

The seafood is really fresh, especially the crab (juicy too!) and the mussels. We also got to try the other sauces that you can order with your bucket and our favourite has got to be the salted egg yolk sauce (we love our salted egg), which had the perfect balance of sweet and saltiness as well as a tinge of spice!

600gm of fresh crab meat!

And of course, what’s a Louisiana seafood meal without crayfish? Cajun on Wheels is also launching their special crayfish bucket this Ramadan! It’s only available via pre-order for the couple and family buckets, so if you’re in the area, pop by Cajun on Wheels to make your reservation! (Payment to be done upon pre-order)

Price: $108 for Poseidon Bucket (serves 2-3), crayfish buckets start from $36. Check out their menu for more info.
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri – 11am to 10pm, Sat and Sun – 12noon to 10pm
Address: Suntec City Mall Level 1 Pasabella, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
Reservation: Pre-order required for the crayfish buckets (couple and family only). Check out their FB page for more info.

11. Hajah Maimunah

There’s nothing we love more than a yummy traditional meal and Hajah Maimunah is definitely the place to visit when you want to enjoy a hearty meal with your family and friends.

We tried the package B during our visit, which included rice, ikan bakar bawal (charcoal grilled pomfret in their signature sweet spicy sauce), sambal prawns (butter prawns for their Ramadan package!), ayam lemak cili, urap, sambal belacan and dessert (fruit cocktails for dine-in only).

Charcoal grilled pomfret

It was our first time trying the classic Indonesian dish, ikan bakar bawal, and we absolutely loved the sweet yet slightly spicy sauce that goes with it.

Hajah Maimunah has a few special Ramadan set menus including a special bakar platter with bbq seafood such as stingray, prawns and more! We’re drooling just thinking about the seafood… Do check out their site for more details on their various sets for Ramadan.

Price: Special Bakar Platter for Ramadan at $55nett (for 4 pax)
Set A or B for Ramadan – $48 for 4pax, $25 for 2pax
Opening Hours: 12noon to 9pm, daily. (Jalan Pisang outlet will be closed on Mondays)
Address: 11 & 15 Jalan Pisang Singapore 199078 OR
20 Joo Chiat Road #01-02 Singapore 427357
Reservation: Call +65 6297 4294 (Jalan Pisang) or +65 6348 5457 (Joo Chiat)

Finish off with DESSERTS!

12. Fluff Bakery

Credit: Fluff Bakery

We’ve mentioned Fluff Bakery too many times for us to even keep track of and we’re sure you won’t need an introduction for this one. So really, just do yourself a favour and pick up your cupcakes ASAP  You can definitely expect some innovative flavours for this month and for the very first week of Ramadan, there’re ondeh-ondeh cupcakes!!! (Suzana’s favourite) Stay tuned to their Instagram page for weekly updates on the flavours!

Where: 803 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198771
Opening Hours: 12 to 7.30pm (or until they sell out), Tues to Sat. Closed on Mon and Sun.
Contact: +65 92368461

Say hello to the month of Ramadhan when the countdown to Hari Raya Aidilfitri begins. In the land of good food, we explore and narrow down the culinary field in Johor Bahru to the seasonal Ramadhan buffets where Malaysian flavours and international delicacies co-exist. Of course, by sifting through this list, fully-booked restaurants will be a thing of the past when you have an advance reservation in your pocket.

Credit: giphy

1. Infusion Cafe & Restaurant

The selections at Infusion will spoil you silly

Credit: kslresorts 

What to expect: Ah, there’s nothing more inviting than a freshly cooked meal from the live open kitchen at Infusion Cafe & Restaurant. The food selection is formidable and it features roast lamb ribs, naan bread, wok-fried noodles, nasi padang, pasta and roti john that will have your appetite yearning for a taste of everything. Just remember to leave plenty of room for coconut ice cream shake and kurma juice for dessert.

#HHWT Tip: Score a 10% discount for their ‘Early Berbuka Deal’ and senior citizens (60 years and above) can enjoy a 15% discount from the standard adult rate. Both promos are available from 6 – 16 June 2016.

Where: Infusion Cafe & Restaurant, Ground Floor, KSL Resort, 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 5 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Price: Adult – RM100 nett, Child – RM45 nett (5-12 years old)
Reservations: +607 288 2688 or info@kslresorts.com.my
More info: Website

2. Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant

The homegrown chefs of Gleneagles will bring the classics back into Iftar

Credit: Pulai Springs Resort 

What to expect: Live cooking stalls are part of the charm in this year’s Ramadhan buffet at Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant. With a whopping 100 dishes and 6 rotational menus, there’s plenty of delicious selections to go around. Go for Melaka chicken rice ball, laksa Penang, seafood biryani, barbecued meats and roasted whole lamb for mains then let the chef’s signature soups, from sup gear box to sup ayam, to leave a lasting impression.

#HHWT Tip: Dine from 6 – 13 June 2016 to enjoy an early bird rate of RM90 per adult.

Food presentation that reminds you of grandma’s cooking.

Credit: Pulai Springs Resort 

Where: Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant, Pulai Springs Resort, 20km, Jalan Pontian Lama, 81110 Pulai, Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 4 July 2016
Time: Daily: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Price: Adult – RM105, Child – RM52.50
Reservations: +607 521 2121 or enquiry@pulaisprings.com
More info: Website

3. Fern Pine Cafe

A Ramadhan buffet without a finish line

Credit: Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre

What to expect: Rekindle memories of heart-warming Iftar classics with your family and friends at Fern Pine Cafe. If Holiday Villa JB will mirror the selections from their sister franchise, we hope to feast on Japanese sushi, nasi kerabu and roasted lamb this upcoming Iftar.

Heavenly desserts for diners with a sweet tooth

Credit: Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre

Where: Fern Pine Cafe, Level 9, Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre, No. 260, Jalan Dato’ Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 4 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Price: Adult – RM105 nett, Child – RM65 nett (4-12 years old)
Reservations: +607 290 3388 or hvjbcc@holidayvillajb.com
More info: Website

4. New York Hotel

Nasi pulut with a modern presentation

Credit: New York Hotel, JB

What to expect: Presented with a contemporary flair, New York Hotel unites the best of traditional recipes and Middle Eastern flavours in their annual Ramadhan buffet. Dine away with lip-smacking selections such as home cooked curries, grilled satays, roasted lamb and not forgetting this year’s special, the durian fritters.

Where: New York Hotel, No.22, Jalan Dato’ Abdullah Tahir, 80300 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 5 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Price: Adult – RM80 nett, Child – RM45 nett (4 – 11 years old)
Reservations: +607 331 1588 or nyhotel@newyorkhotel.com.my
More info: Website

5. Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace

Tender beef rendang straight from the wok

Credit: Le Grandeur, Palm Resort 

What to expect: A refreshing concept from the standard buffet dining, Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace’s Gulai Kawah theme is a definite stand-out. Featuring a long line of local curries, rendang and other traditional cuisine served in massive metal woks, this dining experience will definitely ignite your balik kampung excitement this Raya.

Save a corner on your plate for succulent roasted lamb

Credit: Le Grandeur, Palm Resort

#HHWT Tip: A fantastic promotion for reunions – dine in a group of 9 and an additional guest gets to enjoy the buffet dinner for free.

Where: Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace, Le Grandeur Palm Resort Johor, Jalan Persiaran Golf, Off Jalan Jumbo, 81250 Senai, Johor.
When: 6 June – 5 July 2016
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Price: Adult – RM72, Child – RM42 (below 12 years old)
Reservations: +607 599 6000 or Fnbsec@palmresort.com
More info: Website

6. Restoran Malay Village

Fresh traditional Malay herbs and salads

Credit: @malayvillagerestaurant

What to expect: Restoran Malay Village pretty much encapsulates authentic Malay delicacies. With a selection of 40 dishes, expect no-fuss and mouth-watering assam pedas, rendang madura, kambing golek, nasi briyani, sup tulang, ayam panggang, cendol and more.

One of the 40 Iftar selections in this year’s Ramadhan

Credit: Restoran Malay Village

#HHWT Tip: You can perform your Maghrib prayers at Masjid Kolam Air that is located next to the restaurant.

Where: Restoran Malay Village, No. 9A, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Kolam Air, Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 5 July 2016
Time: Daily, 6:30pm onwards
Price: Adult – RM45, Child – RM20
Reservations: +607 221 1221 or +6017 733 7303
More info: Website

7. Grand Paragon Hotel

How inviting is this buffet spread at Grand Paragon Hotel?

Credit: Grand Paragon Hotel

What to expect: Presenting a whopping 100 selections this Ramadhan, celebrating Iftar in Grand Paragon Hotel is an unmissable experience. We foresee fragrant curries, nasi biryani, grilled meats and refreshing thirst quenchers coming our way and we’re always open to other surprises.

Yes kind sir, a few slices of delicious lamb please?

Credit: Grand Paragon Hotel

#HHWT Tip: During the first week of Ramadhan (until 11 June 2016), enjoy 10% discount on standard rates. If you’re lucky, you might score room and dining voucher giveaways throughout the month.

Where: Grand Paragon Hotel, No.18, Jalan Harimau, Taman Century, 50250 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 5 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Price: Adult – RM108 nett, Child – RM65 nett (4 – 12 years old)
Reservations: +607 268 5326/5255 or fnbcoor@grandparagonhotel.com.my
More info: Website

8. Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana

Sri Bayu Perdana goes for the nasi campur concept this Ramadhan

Credit: Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana

What to expect: A departure from the standard buffet layout, Sri Bayu Perdana goes nasi campur-style to give a wisp of freshness in this year’s Ramadhan. We love the inviting placements of ceramic plates that consists of local delights from chicken and fish curries to tasty tempeh.

Oh yes, we want repeated servings of those!

Credit: Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana

Where: Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana, No. 15 & 17, Jalan Susur Dewata 1, Larkin Perdana, Johor Bahru.
When: 8 June – 4 July 2016
Time: Daily: 2:30pm – 9:00pm
Price: Varies according dish selections
Reservations: +6011 1074 3118 or +6011 1074 2118
More info: Website

9. Olla Restaurant

The warm and inviting interior of Olla Restaurant

Credit: Hotel Granada Johor Bahru

What to expect: For days when you can’t decide between an Iftar of Asian classics or international cuisine, leave it to Olla Restaurant to dish out the best of both worlds. The selections are endless here and we certainly have an eye for beef rendang, nasi kerabu, flavourful curries and nasi biryani this year.

This will be starting point of our buffet browsing

Credit: Hotel Granada Johor Bahru

Where: Olla Restaurant, Hotel Granada Johor Bahru, No 55, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 3 July 2016
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Price: Adult – RM90 nett, Child – RM48 nett (4 – 12 years old)
Reservations: +607 231 8888 ext 6605
More info: Website

10. Salt ‘n’ Pepper Cafe Restaurant

Diner’s dilemma: Where do we begin?

Credit: mydeliciousfoods

What to expect: When it comes to Ramadhan buffets, Salt ‘n’ Pepper never fails to impress. If a selection of 100 dishes isn’t enough, the restaurant pushes the number to 150 specialities consisting grilled whole lamb, barracuda fish with sauce, gulai kawah, sup gear box and even, spaghetti goreng mamak. Keep your eyes peeled for durian goreng and traditional Malay desserts that are lurking around the corner.

Enjoy Iftar with a view of the Johor waterfront

Credit: Berjaya Waterfront Hotel

Where: Salt ‘n’ Pepper Cafe Restaurant, Level 5, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, 88, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June – 6 July 2016
Opening Hours: Daily: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Price: Adult – RM88 nett, Child – RM45 nett
Reservations: +607 221 9999 ext 5106
More info: Website

There you have it, folks! And these Ramadhan buffets are just a teaser to the slew of local and international flavours to savour this upcoming month. Whether your cravings lean towards beef rendang and curries or grilled meats and seafood fry-ups, these buffets will definitely broaden your palate to the familiar and new.

Remember to take only as much as you can eat! It’s the month of moderation, not of wastage

Craving for yummy ramen or sushi this Ramadan but not heading to Japan anytime soon? Don’t worry, you can satisfy your Japanese food cravings at Hei Sushi! We’ve picked out 8 dishes that would be perfect for iftar, especially for those days when you want to enjoy a meal outside with family and friends!

1. Teriyaki Chicken Ramen

We tried the crayfish ramen in kimchi broth during our last visit to Hei Sushi and fell in love with it. This time, we opted for the teriyaki chicken ramen as it’s a lighter and non-spicy option, which we thought would be perfect for iftar! The broth was very flavourful, noodles were springy and there were generous portions of teriyaki chicken which tasted really good too. The ramen also comes with a perfect ramen egg – we just love the slightly runny egg yolk!

2. Katsu Curry Ju

If rice is one of your must-haves for iftar, try the katsu curry ju! Typical of Japanese curry, it’s a little on the sweeter side rather than spicy. The chicken was well-fried and crispy. Plus we love how we’re able to get a taste of one of the iconic Japanese dishes as katsu curry dishes are usually served with pork!

#HHWT Tip: Visiting Hei Sushi with a friend? We recommend going for the 2-gether with Hei set meal for 2 which includes both the Katsu Curry Ju, Teriyaki Chicken Ramen AND a Sashimi Salad with 2 canned drinks! It’s much cheaper to get it as a set (priced at $35) with their discounted price.

3. Hei Sora Sushi Platter

What’s Japanese food without some sushi, right? The Hei Sora sushi platter is perfect if you’re visiting Hei Sushi with your family and friends as you can get a platter to go around! There’s a good assortment of sushi to share, including the popular salmon sushi, scallop, sweet prawns and more. Our favourite has definitely got to be the inari sushi topped with Hei Sushi’s very own homemade tobimayo sauce (flying fish roe sauce + mayonaise)!

#HHWT Tip: The Hei Sora sushi platter is included in the Hei Galore! set meal for 5pax (priced at $60), which also includes other mains such as the teriyaki chicken ramen, katsu curry ju, ebi tempura udon/soba as well as 5 canned drinks. It’s perfect for sharing with your loved ones, as you can get a taste of all of Hei Sushi’s popular dishes!

4. Aburi Sushi

And if you’re not a huuuge fan of raw fish, perhaps Hei Sushi’s entire range of aburi sushi will change your mind! Aburi means seared in Japanese and aburi sushi is made by searing the topside of the meat with a blowtorch. So you get a nicely seared sushi with a wonderfully smoky and creamy taste (thanks to the dollop of tobimayo sauce)! It’s definitely an awesome add-on to your meal, especially if you’ve never tried aburi sushi before!

5. Sashimi and Soft Shell Crab Bento

One of our new favourite dishes at Hei Sushi has got to be the soft shell crab bento. The soft shell crab was really crispy, and don’t forget to dip it in the sauce! We also love that it comes with a serving of sashimi, best of both worlds if you ask us

6. Ebi Tempura Udon / Soba

You can never go wrong with tempura, especially when it comes with a piping hot bowl of udon or soba! We tried the soba on our visit and trust us, the portion is super generous so it’ll definitely fill you up. The tempura was crispy and fried with a light batter, making it the perfect side for your udon/soba! Similar to the soft shell crab, don’t forget to dip it in the tempura sauce!

#HHWT Tip: If you’re breaking fast at Hei Sushi with a group of four, check out their specially discounted iftar sets – The Best of Hei and Hei! Ju! Both sets are priced at $55 and the former comes with teriyaki chicken ramen, katsu curry ju, ebi tempura udon/soba as well as the sashimi and soft shell crab

7. Neta (Fried sushi)

The cheesy beef neta still remains as one of our favourites from Hei Sushi ever since our last visit. So even though you won’t JUST be having the neta for iftar, it’ll be a really yummy add-on for your meal or something to share with your family and friends! Trust us, as strange as fried sushi sounds, you’ll love it!

#HHWT Tip: You can choose from their range of fried sushi including the cheesy beef neta, otah neta, spicy salmon neta and chicken neta.

8. Sashimi Salad

Feeling a little guilty from all that fried sushi? Get your daily greens (with a treat!) and order the sashimi salad! The salad was really refreshing and the wafu salad sauce that came with it was really creamy and smooth. Top that with freshly diced sashimi and we could eat this salad every day

BONUS: Dessert and drinks!

You didn’t think we would end off without talking about drinks and desserts, did you? If you’re ordering any of Hei Sushi’s special set meals for Iftar, you can simply top up $3 for a single ice cream. You can also choose from four different flavours of Haagen Daaz ice cream – salted caramel, green tea, chocolate and strawberry. Our personal favourites are green tea and salted caramel!

Each set also comes with canned drinks but if you would like to add an extra drink, we would recommend trying the mango avocado smoothie and iced yuzu! They’re both very refreshing and great thirst quenchers. The mango avocado tasted surprisingly good (we didn’t expect mango to go so well with avocado!) and was really light for a smoothie.

#HHWT Tip: We visited the Bedok Point outlet but Hei Sushi also has a few other outlets around Singapore (http://www.heisushi.com/outlets.html), so we’re sure you can find an outlet that’s really convenient for you to visit! And if you’re dining with a group of 6 to 8, don’t forget to try the Hei Fiesta! set – (available for call-in delivery only).

This post is brought to you by Hei Sushi but our opinions are entirely our own, as always

I’ve been to a few places since I was 13 years old. Sometimes with my family, but most of the time on my own. For all the journeys I’ve ventured on during the last eight years, I’ve always been wearing my hijab.This is one of the hardest things I’ve always want to share, because I realized the fear that every Muslim girl and woman with hijab has to face while abroad. With the word Islamophobia being mentioned more often in the media, I can’t deny how scared I was when I had to go to Paris alone last year and it was just a week after Charlie Hebdo shooting.

But, we are just like every other traveler in the world. We have the same right to explore all the existing places on this earth and there’s no stopping us. That’s why I keep going places, that’s why I will never think my hijab can stop me from learning about this strange planet called Earth. And with this post, I just simply want to share a few things I’ve learned from all my journeys.

1.  I most probably have had the wrong idea, but the world is filled with so, so many beautiful souls.

I kept thinking about how many rude stares and comments I would get in public places along the journey, I kept playing scenarios in my head about how people wouldn’t talked to me because of the thing on my head. I was totally wrong. On Christmas Eve 2008 in Arroyo Grande, California, where I spent it in a church because my host-dad is a senior pastor there, I was beyond surprised when everyone welcomed me with warm hugs and asked me many curious questions because “I am the Girl who comes from Indonesia”, not “I am the Muslim Girl who wear Hijab and Went to Church Celebrating Christmas Complete with Hijab On”.

I still remember that time I just got out from the church library to meet up with my host-parents and a few people came into my direction with smiles on their faces, “Are you Nerissa? Welcome to California!” or “Do you like America? It must be a little different from Indonesia, but please enjoy your first Christmas here!”

This is one thing I always try remember that everything in this world is already set up in pairs. Black and white. Up and down. Left and right. So are good and bad.

2. The way people treat me depends on the way I treat them.

I’m being totally honest here; I’ve never ever, ever experienced anybody being rude to me (when I approached them first). Travelling solo means there’s nobody you can depend on besides yourself and that happened a lot to me when I got lost in the middle of foreign land where nobody speaks my language. I have no choice but to ask anyone around me. But the thing is, if I don’t make my hijab an issue, they wouldn’t either. In Paris when I was looking for Shakespeare & Co, I asked a woman who didn’t look so busy with a smile and polite gestures and what did I have in return? A friendly smile and lovely conversation! She even took me to the bookstore!

I mean, don’t be afraid of something that is only happening inside your head. It’s only in your head, the fear you’re scared of. We just need start nicely and we might be surprised how strangers on the street could turn out to be one of our best friends.

3. The warm and familiar feeling I get when meeting fellow Muslim travellers or locals.

This is my favourite part which I experience every single trip. Being called out, “Salam, sister!” in the middle of busy market in the city or getting a half-priced ice cream because the lovely lady was so happy finally meeting a Muslim customer.  Sometimes I recall  the first night I was in London and I had no idea which bus would take me home. I was stranded at the bus stop for around an hour and my phone died, so I couldn’t call any emergency number and I saw a man who I thought noticed me. I asked him directly, he smiled and told me to get on bus 124 toward Catford, but in the end he got on the same bus with me and helped me until I reached my front door. Later on, he told me that he’s also a Muslim and it was nice knowing there’s a girl with hijab in our neighborhood.

4. Some of them only understand our religion from what they’ve seen on tv and they’re just genuinely curious about it.

And at that moment, it’s only us Muslims who can give them the answers. On the first day at school in London, my teacher asked me right away, without asking anything else first: “Nerissa, I’ve been reading this article everywhere and I just can’t get the logical reason behind it. Please tell us why Prophet Muhammad cannot be animated?” and I’m 100% sure it was my hijab telling him that I am a Muslim.

I screamed inside my head because I didn’t know why. I felt so bad that day because I couldn’t give an answer. Later at night, I called my mom for an answer and the next day I came to the class proudly and told him right away.

Or when almost everyone I knew at school asked me, “So Nerissa, why aren’t the two other Indonesian girls who are also Muslims wearing hijab, but you are???” You know, this is a simple question but if you can’t answer it correctly and wisely, it could lead to a misunderstanding. And here again, your task is only to be a good Muslim agent. Tell them why are you wearing that weird clothing on your head, tell them that you are doing this because it’s so much more than the symbol of your religion and faith, that it’s your identity, that’s you’re wearing it because you know you have the responsibility, that nobody can look down on you just because you’re wearing it.

Tell them, they’re just curious.

 5. As we’re all on the same path, travellers are the most open-minded people I know. 

Travel. Get out from your comfort zone. Book a ticket, pack your bag and go somewhere. Traveling is probably the best answer to become more open-minded.

Travellers see more things non-travellers. Travellers see beyond their own bubbles. Travellers see how diverse the world out there. Because travellers meet so many people along the way. They know this world isn’t only filled with one specific race and religion, because they see the world out there.

No matter how much you’re scared getting out from your hostel room to the common room and meet other travellers because you’re wearing your hijab, you’ll be surprised how it doesn’t stop them from asking about your stories.

Here I can always find myself becoming more and more tolerant for any kind of diversity each time I return from a faraway trip.

6. Good things will just pop out everywhere.

Like, everywhere. Want to hear some examples?

• In Singapore where I asked for a bowl of jjangmyeon, the chef himself came out from the kitchen and said, “No, Miss. You’re wearing.. (gestured to my hijab) and this contains pork. You can’t.”
• I went to a local pub back in 2012 with my school mates, it was really my first pub experience and I didn’t hate it. When all my friends ordering tequila, suddenly one of the bartender came to me asking wether I wanted to have a coke or a glass of sparkling water. It was really nice of him.
• New Year Eve 2013 where I spent happily in Westminister Bridge watching the massive fireworks in London Sky, there was this one guy coming and asking me in all of sudden, “Hey, are you okay? You look a little pale.” when all I knew that I was just very sleepy and tired.

 7. At last, the world isn’t as scary as you think it is.

This point will sum up what I’ve written above. I’m sure as travellers, we’re all in this believe and we believe in the power of “Paying It Forward”. There’s nothing wrong with giving a hand to another as they know sooner or later, they will need someone’s help too.

During all my journeys, I’ve lost count of how many acts of kindness I’ve received from other beautiful souls out there. It surprised me how I could feel at home when I’m not even home. It surprised me how I could feel so welcomed when I’m not even where I grew up.

Here I’ve learnt that nothing can stop me from being curious about the outside world. For always being thirsty for more adventures, for more stories, for meeting more and more beautiful souls. There’s nothing at all. Especially not my hijab.

Find Nerissa online at: herwandertales | Instagram: @herwandertales

With the rising number of cafes in recent years, we’ve done an ultimate list of all the halal cafes around Singapore and listed those with iftar sets and ramadan specials so that you can bring your hipster friends out when you break your fast! Most of the cafes with iftar sets are also pretty reasonably priced with $25 being the average price for a set. Don’t worry, most of these cafes are around the Bugis area, so the Sultan mosque is also really nearby.

P.S. Check out our list of the top 12 places for iftar as well as our series of articles for the month of Ramadan!

Credit: Giphy

1. The Mad Sailors (Muslim-Owned)

Where:24 Haji Lane, Singapore 189217
Opening Hours: Sun to Thur – 12noon to 10pm, Fri and Sat – 12noon to 11pm. (6pm to 9pm for Iftar)
Price: $25 for the Iftar set meal. Check out the full menu here.
Info: Check out our Top 12 Eateries to Break Your Fast this Ramadan for more info!
Ramadan Special: For the iftar set menu, you get to choose a main on the classics menu (EXCEPT Toad In The Hole and Good Ol’ English Fry Up, cod fish only for Fish & Chips), a slushy pint and a dessert on the afters menu (EXCEPT Fried Snickers).
Reservations: Make a reservation on their site http://www.themadsailors.sg/reservations or drop them a text at 8248 2853.

2. Wilder (Muslim-Owned)

Where: 749 North Bridge Road (Jalan Kledek), S 198717
Opening Hours: Two time slots for reservations.
a) 6.45pm to 8.15pm b) 8.15pm to 10 pm
Price: $26 nett for the iftar set
Info: Check out our Top 12 Eateries to Break Your Fast this Ramadan for more info on their set menus for Ramadan!
Ramadan Special: Ramadan set comes with your choice of a main, a soup or salad and one drink.
Reservations: All reservations to be made at least ONE day in advance via Google Forms. Any cancellations to be done at least SIX hours before reservation.

3. Flavor Flings

Trying out some yummy dishes from Flavour Flings for lunch today We're prepping something special for Ramadan so do stay tuned #HHWT #havehalalwilltravel #flavourflings #halalsg #ramadan : Singapore

A photo posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on May 17, 2016 at 10:40pm PDT

Where: 121 Hougang Ave 1, S 30121
Opening Hours: Weekdays – 11am to 9pm, weekends – 9am to 9pm. Closed between 4pm to 5.30pm and on Tuesdays.
Price: Mains range from $12 to $17
Info: Check out our Top 12 Eateries to Break Your Fast this Ramadan for more info!
Ramadan Special: Download the HHWT Travel Planner app at www.hhwt.io, flash the app and get a 10% off your bill for Ramadan!
Reservations: Call 6286 0051 or drop them a DM on Facebook to make a reservation.

4. Working Title (Muslim-Owned)

Where:48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745
Opening Hours: 6pm to 9pm (for Iftar)
Price: $25 for a set meal
Info: Check out our Top 12 Eateries to Break Your Fast this Ramadan for more info!
Ramadan Special: Iftar set comes with a burger of your choice (except tower of power), a bandung latte (iced or hot) and a tart/cake of your choice
Reservations: Make a reservation on their website or call in at 8248 2841. Do note that reservations will only be held for 10 mins.

5. The Lab SG (Muslim-Owned)

Where: 1 Jalan Pisang #01-01, S 199069
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun, 1.30pm to 9pm
Price: Set A – $35, Set B – $43
Info: Check their FB page for the full menu.
Ramadan Special: Set A comes with 1 choice of beverage, 1 choice of mains/burgers/pasta/sandwiches and 1 choice of starter or iftar Dessert while Set B comes with an additional choice of a starter.
Reservations: Reservations are open for 2pax and above. Do contact 82226560 / 62995681 for details or early reservations for any date.

6. Afterwit (Muslim-Owned)

Where: 778 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198746
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm. Kitchen will be closed from 3pm to 6.30pm and kitchen orders will only be open from 7.45pm onwards.
Price: $30 for the set. Dine at Afterwit from 7 June to 19 June and enjoy their dinner set at only $25.
Info:
Ramadan Special: Afterwit’s Iftar set dinner includes a main (any taco or burrito), a drink of the day/ice tea of the day and a dessert. Top up $2 for the beef rendang tacos or chicken rendang burrito (mains).
Reservations: Iftar set is available by reservations only. Reservations to be made by 4pm the day before. SMS or drop a Whatsapp message to 8501 0345 in the following format:
Date:
No. of Pax:
1. Main
2. Drink of the day OR Iced tea of the day
3. Dessert – mango cheesecake or double chocolate brownie

7. The Malayan Council (Muslim-Owned)

Credit: The Malayan Council
Where: 22 Dunlop Street, Kampong Bugis, Singapore 209350
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri – 11.30am to 11pm, Sat and Sun – 11am to 11pm
Price: Mains range from $20 to 35
Info: Menu
Ramadan Special: Three special mains just for Ramadan, along with special traditional desserts.
Lemak Cili Padi Linguine with Smoked Duck Unagi Sauce -$28
Black Angus Ribeye Steak with Gado Gado Salad and Truffle Fries -$37
Hokkaido Scallop Laksa with Tiger Prawns – $28
Reservations: Call 9002 4414 or email them at themalayancouncil.sg@gmail.com

8. Butter Studio

Credit: Butter Studio

Where: 147 Jln Besar, Singapore 208865
Opening Hours: 1st seating: 6.30pm to 8.15pm
2nd seating: 8.30pm to 10pm
Price: Set meal priced at $22.90
Info: Ramadan menu
Ramadan Special: Ramadan set comes with a buttermilk pancake or main of your choice with a jello float.
Reservations: Call +65 6294 7115 to make your reservation for either the first or second seating.

9. FIX

Credit: Fix SG
Where: 31 Ah Hood Road #01-06, S 329979
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm, daily. Kitchen closes on weekdays, 3pm to 5.30pm.
Price: Mains range from $14 to $25
Info: Menu
Reservations: Make a reservation on chope or drop them a call at +65 6256 1484

 10. ButterScotch (Muslim-Owned)

Credit: Butterscotch Cafe

Where: Blk 164 Bukit Merah Central #01-3625, S 150164, tel: 6271 1164
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm, Tue – Sun. Closed on Mon.
Price: Mains range from $18 to $25
Info: Menu
Reservations: Call 6271 1164 and press 2 to speak to them or PM on Facebook with contact details to make your reservations. Also open for walk-ins.

 11. Richmond Station

Credit: Richmond Station

Where:17 Bali Lane, Singapore 189853
Opening Hours: 1st seating at 6.30pm to 8pm
2nd seating at 8.15pm to 10pm
Price: Set meal priced at $25
Info: Ramadan Set Menu
Ramadan Special: Lobster surf and turf with ribeye steak and lobster seafood platter, both priced at $65
Reservations: Call 6291 4170 to make a reservation

12. La Marelle (Food from Halal suppliers)

Credit: @joleneongg

Where: 25A Baghdad Street, Singapore 199664
Opening Hours: 10am to 11pm, daily.
Price: Mains range from $10 to $18
Info: Menu
Ramadan Special: 15% off all mains, 10% of all cakes and dates provided.
Reservations: Drop them a text or whatsapp at 8822 8536. Do not call!

13. Krave (Muslim-Owned)

Credit: Krave Cafe

Where: 28 Bali Ln, Singapore 189864
Opening Hours: 5.30pm to 9pm, Tue to Sun. Closed on Mondays.
Price: Mains range from $12 to $22
Info: Facebook
Reservations: Call 9856 4249 during office hours only or email them at reservations.krave.sg@gmail.com

14. Hyde & Co

Credit: Hyde & Co

Where: 785 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198753
Opening Hours: Two seatings – 6.30pm to 8.15pm and 8.30pm to 10pm. Do note that they’re only open for Iftar from Wed to Sat.
Price: $25 for the Iftar set meal.
Info: Check out our Top 12 Eateries to Break Your Fast this Ramadan for more info!
Ramadan Special: For the iftar set menu, you get to choose a main on the classics menu (EXCEPT Toad In The Hole and Good Ol’ English Fry Up, cod fish only for Fish & Chips), a slushy pint and a dessert on the afters menu (EXCEPT Fried Snickers).
Reservations: Reservations to be made at least 1 day in advance. Phone: 6635 5785 | Text: 9383 8735
Please include the following in the reservation:
– Name
– Number of Pax
– Contact Number
– Date/Day of Dining
– Timing (1st Seating or 2nd Seating)
– Choice of Mains

15. The Famous Ice-Cream Rolls Shop

Credit: famous.icecream.rolls

Where:Thomson V Two, 11 Sin Ming Road, #01-12, Singapore 575629
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri – 4pm to 10pm. Public holidays, Sat & Sun – 2pm to 10pm
Price: Pizzas are priced at $8.90
Info: Menu
Reservations: Do contact them at 92725119 for reservations and enquiries as they may be closed at the cafe while stationed at the Geylang Serai bazaar.

16. The Royals Café

Credit: The Royals Cafe

Where: 19 Upper East Coast Road, Crescendo Building, S 455209 (Siglap) OR
3 Simei Street, #01-31, Simei Eastpoint Mall, S528833
Opening Hours: 10am to 9.30pm, daily.
Price: Ramadan set meal at $39.90 for 2-3pax
Info: Check out their Ramadan set menu here
Reservations: Call 6445 6457 (Siglap) or 8481 0020 (Simei) for reservations.

17. Badoque

Credit: Badoque

Where: 298 Bedok Road, S 469454 (Simpang Bedok) OR
246 Upper Thomson Rd, S 574370
Opening Hours: Open daily for Iftar, first seating is by reservation only and advised to be seated by 6.30pm. Second seating at 8.15pm. Last order at 9pm.
Price: Mains range from $18 to $36
Reservations: Call Simpang Bedok 64466 928 or Upper Thomson 6552 1646 for reservations or visit at 8.15pm for the second seating.

18. Royz et Vous

Credit: Royz et Vous

Where: 137 Telok Ayer Street #01-01, S 068602
Opening Hours: Sun to Thu – closes at 10pm (last order at 9pm), Fri and Sat – closes at 11pm (last order at 10pm)
Price: Mains range from $15 to $40
Info: Dinner Menu
Reservations: Make a reservation on their site and you’ll get a confirmation call on your reservation and pre-order.

19. And Why… (Muslim-Owned)

Credit: and why

Where: 31 Bali Lane #01-01, S 189867
Opening Hours: 11am to 11pm, Thurs to Tues. Closed every Wednesday
Ramadan Special: Call them for more info on their ramadan set.
Reservations: Call 6291 0993 for reservations.

20. I Am… (Muslim-Owned)

Credit: I Am…

Where: 674 North Bridge Road #01-01, off Haji Lane, Singapore 188804
Opening Hours: Mon to Thu – 11.30am to 11pm, Fri to Sat – 11.30am to 1 am, Sun – 11.30am to 10pm
Price: Mains range from $11.90 to $17.90
Info: Menu
Reservations: No reservations so do head down early if you’re planning to break your fast at I Am…

Don’t leave out your hipster friends – share this post with them Know of a halal cafe that’s not on this list? Hashtag it #hhwt or #havehalalwilltravel on Instagram or leave us a comment below.

Have a blessed Ramadan everyone!

The million dollar question I ask my husband every day is – what do you want for dinner tonight? Preparing dinner for your family can be mentally exhausting as you try your utmost best not to repeat dishes throughout the week. Ramadan is no different. In fact, the pressure is higher as you have not eaten the whole day.

Credit: Giphy

We have whipped up some ideas for you to prepare your iftar dishes should you run out of dishes to cook!

 1. Chinese Black Pepper Beef

I first fell in love with this dish when my mom first made it. I remember asking her for the recipe to which she replied – it’s relatively easy. I don’t know about you, but I feel most moms say that. And whenever I attempt on a recipe she had given; sure, it is relatively easy, but it just never tastes the same! I guess it’s true what they say about your mom’s cooking.

Credit: omnivorescookbook

This dish is not complicated and perfect for meat lovers (like my husband). Domestic goddesses will definitely know how to modify this dish to their family’s preference. As for my take on it, we usually cook this dish with spring onions instead of bell peppers.

Get the recipe here!

2. Spicy Chicken With Coconut Milk (Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Api)

A dish with a mouthful name deserves a mouthful of attention! To say coconut milk is famous in the region is an understatement. Most Nusantara dishes use coconut milk (Nasi Lemak, Rendang, Curry – just to name a few), so you can imagine how strong the force is with this one. And this dish we are about to highlight, is no different. Growing up, this dish never appealed to me despite popular attention. It probably was because 1) it’s too milky for my liking and 2) mom always used fish instead of chicken! Not until I was direly craving for this specific dish during my first pregnancy. Now, my family and I make this dish at least fortnightly.

3. Javanese Fried Sambal (Sambal Goreng Jawa) + Nasi Ambeng

I was first introduced to this super yummy fried sambal back in the 90s when I was still in school but because this dish has left me in awe, it is one of my favourite vegetable dishes to date. The Javanese Fried Sambal can be a dish on its own alongside other dishes you have cooked. Its magic ingredient? You guessed it – coconut milk.

However, this dish is usually served along with Nasi Ambeng, a Javanese cuisine typically served in a large tray alongside several dishes (to your preference) to be shared with 4 to 5 people. Perfect for a family get together and rekindling relationships – by sharing food out of the same talam (tray) as picture below.

Credit: halal in the city

If you have not already tried this dish, you should definitely try it.

Get the recipe for Nasi Ambeng here!

4. Steamed Fish

I hardly cook fish because my husband is more of a red meat person but when he somehow decides on fish for dinner, we opt for steamed fish! This particular dish is a good option for us as it is friendlier to our growing toddler than the spicy dishes as above. Besides, eating out for steamed fish can be quite costly. If you cook it yourself, not only you get to choose your ingredients, you also get to tweak the recipe to your family’s liking.

5. Fried Calamari with Salted Egg

Fried calamari itself is a very diverse dish as people all around the world are quite familiar with it. But what we eat fried calamari with, makes the difference. Some parts of the world eat it with tartar sauce, lemon and whatnots. Here within the corridors of Southeast Asia, we give it a little twist to the authentic fried calamari by adding salted egg into the equation. And of course for me, a little bit of sambal belacan because it will be an incomplete course without chilli.

And some sambal belacan tips here

6. Water Spinach with Shrimp Paste (Kangung Belacan)

Cooking water spinach with shrimp paste for one is quite simple. Shrimp paste is commonly used in most Southeast Asian dishes and this particular dish goes across borders from the little islands of Indonesia to our Northern neighbour, Thailand. Just be a little mindful for whom you are cooking for as some people might be allergic to the shrimp paste.

7. Spicy Sour Tempoyak (Asam Pedas Tempoyak)

My mom would always cook asam pedas every other week while I was growing up – until I got quite bored of it. Now that I am married and live in a different house than she, I realize how much I miss her asam pedas dish. So I decided to ask her for the recipe and you guessed quite right, it doesn’t taste the same. But I did try to venture on a different twist than her usual asam pedas by adding a little bit of fermented durian paste – just for the thrill of it. You should give it a try too, check out the steps below.

P.S. Please feel free to alternate chicken or fish if you prefer that!

8. Indian Butter Chicken

This particular dish may differ a little than the ones above as Butter Chicken originated from India with traces rooted from Punjabi cuisine, as compared to the ones above which are more oriental and have a more Nusantara feeling. The fact that you can easily get butter chicken in Malaysia also proves how vast the food scene is in this part of the world. In fact, most of us are inspired to attempt cooking our own butter chicken after trying this dish out at local restaurants. It took quite some time for me to gain some confidence to try this dish out though. You should check it out and give it a try by checking out the recipe!

Credit: rasa malaysia

Keeping track of the dishes you have cooked and will be cooking in the month of Ramadan can also be a good idea. I have a special Ramadan journal that consists of Ramadan Meal Planner among other things, this helps me to keep track of my time, meal plans, productivity and progress everyday.

Please let us know if you decide to try any of the above dishes and if it works for your family. We would also love to hear from you if you have any yummy recipes in mind! Last but not least, have a blessed Ramadhan and baraqaAllahu feekum!

This singer needs no introduction. When she is not busy lighting up the stage with her electrifying performances, she makes us green with envy from all the travel photos she posts on her Instagram. Yuna has recently released her third American album called Chapters, and here she speaks to Have Halal Will Travel about the other thing she does when she’s not singing – travelling!

Can you share with us what are you working on currently? Do you have any projects or tours in the pipeline?

Credit: @yunamusic

Currently, I’m working on promotion for my new album Chapters. It’s been a pretty amazing journey so far! I just finished touring the U.S. and this coming September will be my Europe tour. I’ll also be releasing a new Malay single this August for the Malaysian crowd with a surprise artist so do look out for all that!

Can you tell us where you went on your first travel outside of Malaysia? What do you remember about the destination or the trip?

I don’t remember my first trip outside of Malaysia because I was really young, but the most memorable trip was my student exchange program in Italy! At first, it was really difficult because they’re not well versed in English and even my exchange parents didn’t speak a word of it, from there I learned Italian! Despite the language barrier, I had a really good time there and it was a great experience.

What has been the most rewarding experience for you since the start of your travels?

Only traveling will get you to respect the universe (and the people of different colour and culture and religion) in order for them to do same to YOU.

Credit: @yunamusic

Learning to cope with any difficulties faced when travelling as a Muslim woman, such as performing my prayers, searching for halal food and at times, travelling during the fasting month. This year will be 17 hours of fasting in LA. InsyaAllah, I will go through this month with ease!

If you have an unlimited travel budget for 24 hours, what would your itinerary look like?

First off, I would like to go to Santorini in Greece and see the sun rising by from Perissa Beach. Will probably explore the whole of Greece. To end my day, I would like to travel across Iceland! Would be great if I could camp out to see the Northern Lights! That would be a perfect day for me.

What are 3 of your favourite destinations, and why?

Credit: @yunamusic

Greece, because of the history. Iceland, because it relates to all my favourite movies. Italy, as I can visit my Italian friends and go back to the places I used to go when I was younger.

What are some of the challenges (or worst experiences) you have faced while travelling and what did you learn from it?

The worst experience I’ve faced is when I was touring in the U.S. in 2015. Our instruments were stolen from the venue and we had a hard time searching for replacement instruments in such a short period of time. I definitely learned to look after my things carefully wherever I go and be aware of my surroundings.

Tell us an insider tip or two for people travelling to LA.

Credit: @yunamusic

Remember to wear sunscreen! Even though the weather is cold the sun is still blazing and you need all the protection you need for your skin. Don’t worry about stocking up on your favourite Asian food as there are many stores that sell Asian food, including Milo!

Can you tell us your favourite halal food joint in LA?

It’s hard to pick as many of the shops in LA are vegan, but my favourite would have to be Singapore’s Banana Leaf at the Farmers Market nearby The Groove.

I don’t normally post photos of my food on Instagram but this is just so good. Letting you all know how legit my lunch was today at My Vegan Gold Silverlake. By far the best tomyum noodles in LA. (With vegan chicken!)

Credit: @yunamusic

What are your travel tech must-haves?

My laptop, my phone and definitely my camera!

If you could give one piece of advice to people who want to travel more, what would it be?

Credit: @yunamusic

Work hard to go to the places you want and don’t let anything small or petty stop you from travelling.

What’s your favourite travel photo?

This would have to be my favourite! This was at Istanbul at Cappadocia. Would definitely love to come back here.

Credit: @yunamusic

Fill in the blanks: My hope for the world is…

Credit: @yunamusic

… that we accept everyone for who they are and for everyone to pursue what they love!

Thinking of giving you and your loved ones an Iftar treat? Here are 13 halal buffets where you can break your fast this Ramadan and don’t worry, there’s definitely something for everyone! Don’t forget to eat in moderation

giphy

1. Straits Kitchen – Grand Hyatt Singapore

Had a team Iftar this evening at @grandhyattsing and the buffet was so good with many live stations! You'll find a huge Middle Eastern spread along with local favourites like roast duck Check out our FB page for a live video of the entire spread! #havehalalwilltravel #hhwt #grandhyatt #grandhyattsingapore #straitskitchen : Singapore

A video posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on Jun 6, 2016 at 6:23am PDT

Ramadan Special: Ramadan Buffet Dinner (6 June to 6 July 2016)
Where: Lobby Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211 (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Price: SGD 78++ (for adults including selected free-flowing juices, tea and coffee), SGD42++ (for children ages 7-12) including selected free-flowing juices, tea and coffee
Info: Website
Reservations: +65 6732 1234 

2. Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

Ramadan Special: Iftar Seafood Buffet (6 June to 6 July 2016)
Where: 317 Outram Road Singapore 169075 (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Price: Sunday to Thursday – S$78++, Friday to Saturday – S$88++. Kids 12 years and under dine for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Quote “Iftar Specials” to enjoy 1-for-1 offer!
Info: Website
Reservations: +65 6731 7172 

3. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

Credit: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

Ramadan Special: ‘Sedaplicious’ Buka Puasa Feast (6 June to 4 July 2016) *In collaboration with Rajah Mas Catering.
Where: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, 75 Airport Boulevard Singapore 819664 (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Price: $48 nett
Info: Website
Reservations: +65 6823 5339 (Please make a reservation at least 3 days in advance)

4. 21 on Rajah

Credit: 21 on Rajah

Ramadan Special: Mediterr-Asian Nasi Ambeng Dinner Buffet (6 June to 5 July 2016)
Where: Days Hotel, 1 Jln Rajah, S 329133, tel: 6808 6847 (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: 6pm – 10.30pm
Price: Monday to Thursday – $50++ per adult, $25++ per child (5-12 years of age), Friday to Sunday – $55++ per adult, $27.50++ per child (5-12 years of age)
Info: Website
Reservations: +65 6808 6847

5. Le Steak by Chef Amri

Credit: Le Steak

Ramadan Special: Ramadan Buffet at the Jalan Kayu outlet (7 June – 5 July 2016)
Where: 248 Jalan Kayu, S 799472, tel: 6556 3588 (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: Weekdays (5pm – 11pm), Weekends (4pm – 11pm)
Weekday Price:  $38+ (Adult), $18+ (Child: 6-12yrs)
Weekend Price:  $48+ (Adult), $18+ (Child: 6-12yrs)
Info: Facebook
Reservations: +65 6556 3588 (hotline opens at 3pm) or email at lesteaksg@gmail.com (please leave your contact number)

 6. Aquamarine – Marina Mandarin

Credit: Marina Mandarin

Ramadan Special: AquaMarine Brings You Iftar This Ramadan (6 June to 5 July 2016)
Where: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: 6:30pm – 10pm
Weekday Price (Sunday – Thursday): $70++ (Adult), $35++(Child)
Weekend Price (Friday – Saturday): $80++(Adult), S$40++(Child)
Info: Website
Reservations: Call 6845 1000 or book online here.

7. Asian Market Cafe – Fairmont Singapore

Credit: Fairmont Singapore

Ramadan Special: Ramadan Dinner Buffet Menu (6 June to 5 July 2016)
Where: Level 2, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, S 189560, tel: 6431 6156
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 6pm – 10pm, Friday, Saturday and Public Holidays: 6pm – 10.30pm
Price: $70++ per adult, $37++ per child
Info: Website
Reservations: Call +65 6431 6156 or email dining.singapore@fairmont.com or book online here.

8. Window On The Park – Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre

Credit: Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre

Ramadan Special: Ramadan Dinner Buffet at Window on the Park (6 June to 10 July 2016)
Where: 11 Cavenagh Road, Singapore 229616
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 10pm
Price: Sunday to Thursday: $76.50++ for two persons, Friday and Saturday: S$85.00++ for two persons
Info: Website
Reservations: Call+65 6733 8333 or email wop.hisinorchard@ihg.com

9. The Landmark

Credit: The Landmark

Ramadan Special: Special Iftar with Celebrity Chefs 
Where: 390 Victoria Street, Singapore 188061
Opening Hours: 6pm – 10.30pm
Price: Monday to Thursday: $30++ per adult, $15++ per child, Friday to Sunday: $35++ per adult, $15++ 
Info: Facebook
Reservations: Call +65 6299 7786

10. Kintamani Indonesian Restaurant – Furama Riverfront

Credit: honeycombers

Ramadan Special: Ramadan Buffet Dinner (6 June – 6 July 2016)
Where: Furama RiverFront, 405 Havelock Road Singapore 169633
Opening Hours: 6pm – 10.30pm
Price: $55++ per adult, $20++ per child (5 – 11 years old)
Info: Website
Reservations: Call +65 6739 6463 or email kintamani.riverfront@furama.com

11. Katong Kitchen – Village Hotel Katong

Credit: Katong Kitchen

Ramadan Special: Iftar Dinner (6 June – 5 July 2016)
Where: 25 Marine Parade Road, Village Hotel Katong, Singapore 449536
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Price: Monday to Thursday – $48++ per adult, $24++ per child, Friday to Sunday – $58++ per adult, $29++ per child
Info: Facebook
Reservations: Call +65 6551 2141 or email katongkitchen@kitchenlanguage.com.sg

12. Carousel

Credit: carousel

Ramadan Special: Around The World (6 June to 5 July 2016)
Where: Lobby Level in Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Rd, S 228220 (Prayer room available)
Opening Hours: Dinner from 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Price: $86 ++
Info: Website
Reservations: Reserve online

13. Tiffany Café & Restaurant – Furama City Centre

Credit: furama

Ramadan Special: Delightful IFTAR Flavours (6 June – 5 July 2016)

Where: 60 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059804
Opening Hours: 6pm – 10pm
Price: 1-for-1 IFTAR Dinner – $65.80++ per adult, $28.80++ per child
Info: Website
Reservations: Online or call +65 6531 5366

If you know of any other buffet places to break fast at this Ramadan, do share with us in a comment below! Have a blessed Ramadan

From the succulent grilled lamb to the sweetness of traditional desserts, it’s true when they say that the Ramadhan bazaar has something for everyone. Now that the holy month is upon us, remember to give yourself a moment to enjoy the bustling atmosphere that the bazaar brings once a year. If you’re in town and new to the food bazaar tradition, here are Klang Valley’s best that are ready to impress.

Credit: giphy

1. Stadium Shah Alam, Section 13

Crispy fried chicken goes well with a plate of steamed rice

Credit: dillyshakir 

What to expect: Bless Stadium Shah Alam for their spaciousness because when you have ayam golek, nasi biryani, barbecued chicken wings and cendol running this side of town, you need plenty of room. It comes to no surprise that they deemed themselves as one of the largest bazaars to visit, so come as early as 4pm before the crowd starts rushing in.

Carve a few smiles when you bring home this refreshing cendol

Credit: dillyshakir 

#HHWT Tip: Stadium Shah Alam comes with a huge parking space, so finding your preferred spot wouldn’t be a problem.

Address: Stadium Shah Alam, Section 13, Shah Alam, Selangor.
Directions: If you’re taking the train, hop off from KTM Batu Tiga Station and take a 10-minute taxi ride to Stadium Shah Alam.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

2. Bangsar, Jalan Telawi 1

Nasi ayam goreng kunyit anyone?

Credit: theestherchew

What to expect: From the slew of independent cafes, local designer boutiques and large expat community, Bangsar is known for many things. So you know where to be after you’ve buka puasa over delicious ayam percik, nasi biryani, deep fried prawn fritters and grilled seafood from the nearby bazaar.

Rojabak anyone? You read that right – roti jala + murtabak!

Credit: timeout

Address: Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
Directions: Hop off from LRT Bangsar Station and take a 7-minute taxi ride to Jalan Telawi 1 (behind Bangsar Village 2).
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

3. Kampung Baru

The lively scene of a Ramadhan bazaar

Credit: wanista

What to expect: A brownie point well-earned for its accessibility and strategic location. The Ramadhan bazaar in Kampung Baru is known for keeping things exciting every year. For instance, it’s not everyday you will find Roti Goreng McGyver (deep fried popiah with chicken, beef or sardine filling) and Roti Tempayan (fluffier roti canai served with satay sauce) in a food bazaar – so make it your once-a-year opportunity to pardon those extra calories.

We definitely cant turn our attention away from these barbecued wings!

Credit: mcgkl

Address: LRT Kampung Baru Station, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
Directions: Hop off from LRT Kampung Baru Station and follow the crowd to the bazaar situated next to the train station.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

4. Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI)

The Ramadhan bazaar certainly unites us all

Credit: backpackingmalaysia 

What to expect: Should there ever be a popularity contest, the Ramadhan bazaar in TTDI is a tough contender to beat. Lined with an array of multicoloured tents, every imaginable Ramadhan classics are housed here including the succulent grilled lamb, pandan-flavoured apam balik, grilled ikan bakar and savoury murtabak.

The pandan flavoured apam balik is a unique take on the classic

Credit: vkeong

Address: Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

5. Kampung Sungai Penchala

Get your murtabak straight from the griddle

Credit: myduacents 

What to expect: The Kampung Sungai Penchala bazaar may be smaller compared to the large-scale atmosphere you’re used to but you will spot plenty of traditional favourites here. The main draw would be its medley of grilled goodness from the likes of ayam golek, satays, ayam panggang madu and burgers straight from the griddle.

Address: Kampung Sungai Penchala, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

6. Section 17, Petaling Jaya

Any Ramadhan bazaar is incomplete without ayam percik

Credit: hype

What to expect: Stay as close as possible to Jaya One and the Section 17 bazaar will be around the corner and faithfully awaits. Be prepared to walk amidst the PJ locals who are also there to get a taste of unique street food twists such as potato chips on a skewer, heart-shaped murtabak maggi and grilled tongkek ayam (bishop’s nose) – yup, you read that right.

Credit: @shelbybisou

#HHWT Tip: Finding a parking spot is a daily challenge in Section 17. So, come early to score a good spot.

Address: Jalan 17/1A, Section 17, Petaling Jaya.
Directions: If you’re taking the train, hop off from LRT Asia Jaya Station and take a 10-minute taxi ride to Section 17 (opposite Jaya One)
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

7. SS13, Subang Jaya

Why not try something different and go for a cheese steak sandwich instead?

Credit: thestar

What to expect: Formerly situated in SS18 Subang Jaya, the Ramadhan bazaar in SS13 is still alive, bustling and undeterred by the relocation. Subang folks are known for their love of good food, so it’s very likely that you’ll find them joining the queue for popiah goreng, nasi tomato ayam, kebab and sweetened beverages.

Address: In front of 3K Inn & Sports Complex Subang Jaya, Jalan SS 13/1, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Directions: From KL Sentral, take Rapid KL bus 770 (previously U63) and stop at the pedestrian bridge in front 3K Sports Complex.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

8. USJ 4, Subang Jaya

Don’t be surprised at the long queues for Murtabak Langkawi – look at how fat they are!

Credit: friedchillies

What to expect: If you happened to be in USJ and looking for various Iftar choices, there are more than plenty at this Ramadhan bazaar in USJ 4. You may even spot vendors from the former SS18 bazaar continuing their businesses here. If kepak ayam madu, savoury jacket potato and delicious murtabak are more of your thing, you know where to be.

Freshly grilled ikan bakar, perfect for iftar

Credit: thestar

Address: Jalan USJ 4 / 5, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

9. Taman Tasik Permaisuri

Buka puasa with a dash of Western flavour

Credit: thestar 

What to expect: While some still refers it as the one near Cheras Football Stadium, the Ramadhan bazaar in Taman Tasik Permaisuri is one of the few with long-time presence. Regular dishes like ayam percik and nasi kukus are repeatedly offered throughout the long stretch but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for local dishes such as Kelantanese kuihs, flavourful gulai and nasi ambeng.

Address: Taman Tasik Permaisuri, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

10. Wangsa Maju

Just a short walk away from the LRT station

Credit: ilovemsiafood

What to expect: Laksa Johor, Roti John, rojak and ayam percik pretty much summarises the selections in Wangsa Maju’s Ramadhan Bazaar. Of course, there are plenty more dishes to keep your Iftar interesting everyday, so just keep walking along the stretch and you might find long lost favourites like kaw kaw burger and Portuguese grilled fish.

Just the spicy flavour we need for Iftar!

Credit: ilovemsiafood

Address: LRT Wangsa Maju Station, Desa Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.
Directions: Take the train to LRT Wangsa Maju Station and follow the crowd to the bazaar situated within walking distance from the overhead bridge.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 4.30pm – 7.30pm

It’s easy to see why bazaars are a Ramadhan favourite among the folks in Klang Valley. Beaming with scrumptious food selections and held in strategic locations, it leaves us with zero reasons to skip this lively celebration of flavours and friendly folks. Plus, the idea that Hari Raya is just around the corner certainly adds up to the experience!

We’re almost in the third week of Ramadan and you’ve probably seen countless of bazaar articles covering everything from rainbow bagels to ramly burgers  So to change things up a little, we’ve decided to focus on the food items/desserts that can’t be found anywhere else but at these bazaars (Geylang Serai/Haig Road, Tampines and Woodlands bazaars!). All the more to try them at the bazaar (and perhaps feel a bit better about the long queues) right?

Credit: Giphy

P.S. Have you read our series of articles for Ramadan?

 1. Soft Serve on Cotton Candy – Stall #20

Why settle for normal soft serve when you can get soft serve with… cotton candy?! We’re sure you’ve watched the viral video of a café serving ice cream nestled in cotton candy and topped with all kinds of sinful sweet treats. Well, this sweet treat can now be found in Singapore at the Geylang Serai bazaar (Booth #20)to be exact. They’ve also launched a special flavour for Ramadan – Hokkaido milk sea salt and dark chocolate gula melaka.

Credit: @elpluswr

Note: We’ve checked with @momolatosg, they’re currently obtaining halal product certification. Their ice cream and popsicles are made using only fresh fruits, coconut water, and other halal certified ingredients (milk, sugar, cream, coconut cream, etc). As always, we advise you to purchase at your own discretion.

#HHWT Tip: You can also find them at Haig Road (Stall #11).

Price: $6

 2. Cotton Candy Soda – Stall #5

Nope, you just can’t fight the cotton candy craze. We can’t deny that it makes desserts look a whole lot more attractive too

Credit: ladyironchef

But if you’re not keen on the ice cream, perhaps go for the soda instead? You can get these colourful cloud sodas at Back Alley Bites (they sell churros too!) and they come in three different flavours – grape, blueberry or cherry.

#HHWT Tip: You can also find them at Haig Road, Stall #9 and Tampines Bazaar, Stall #12

Price: $3

 3. Watermelon Volcano – Stall #122 – #123

Remember the famous ice cream rolls at the Geylang Serai bazaar? Well, Happy Rollies is back! This time, they upped their game with a treat that looks super tempting and extremely refreshing – watermelon volcano!

After walking around in the bazaar, this refreshing watermelon slushie treat is definitely the perfect dessert/drink to cool you down.

#HHWT Tip: We recommend opting for the medium as it’s enough for around 3pax. You can also find them at Stall #31 and #32

Price: $6.90 for medium, $12.90 for large

4. Macaron Ice Cream – Store #16

We love macarons. We love ice cream as well. And you can get the best of both worlds with the macaron ice cream!

Credit: @raimification

This super sweet treat created by Barakah Fe is pretty much a ice cream sandwiched between a macaron and topped with brightly coloured cornflakes. If you’re looking for a dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth, we say, this is definitely your go-to treat.

#HHWT Tip: You can find them at the Tampines and Woodlands bazaar as well!

Price: $4

5. Halal Shihlin Chicken – Tampines Bazaar

We’re not quite sure where else you can get halal Shihlin chicken in Singapore but we do know that you can get it at the Tampines bazaar! The XXL fried chicken also comes with your choice of seasoning – hot and spicy, onion and garlic, cheese. If you ask us, hot and spicy is definitely the way to go

Credit: @thehalalfoodhunter

#HHWT Tip: The stall in Tampines bazaar also sells giant fried squid and almost always has a long queue, so do be prepared to wait a bit for your food!

Price: $5

6. Thai Pancake – Tampines Bazaar

Last year, we had a craze over popular desserts in Thailand such as coconut ice cream (still good!) and of course, ice cream rolls. Well this year, you’re looking at the next big thing to be imported from Thailand – Thai pancakes!

It tastes pretty similar to roti prata but definitely on the sweeter side with condensed milk and your choice of sauce (we opted for banana with nutella over here). So if you have a sweet tooth, this is definitely perfect for you. Remember to eat it when it’s piping hot!

Price: $5 (+$1 for cheese)

7. Cake Donut Balls – Tampines Bazaar

Why settle for normal donuts when you can get your hands on cake donut balls?! Crispy on the outside, soft and spongey on the inside. You can even choose from four different toppings – ferrero chocolate, salted caramel, strawberry with cheesecake crumbs and gula melaka with coconut shavings!

Price: $4

 8. XXL Drinks – Pretty much at all bazaars

Just walk around the Ramadan bazaar and you’ll be greeted with stalls selling humongously oversized drinks. And nope, we’re not just talking about Overdose but also XXL milkshakes and fruity syrup drinks.

Credit: @togokbyzb

We tried the Rasa Dew from Togok (located near the stage at Tampines bazaar) and would definitely recommend sharing amongst 2-3 friends, as the drink is reaaaally huuuge. It’s also pretty sweet so if you’re not a fan of sweet drinks, we say choose the coffee or just go for plain water.

Price: $5

9. Double Fried Russets

Okay, they ARE fries, but not just any normal fries! Double fried with a layer of russet potato skin and topped with amazingly creamy sauces. Yep, sign us up please!

Credit: @thekatoshka

These double fried russets come with your choice of sauce – salted yolk, bbq, sour ranch and special cheese. We would try everything if we could.

Price: $4.90

10. S’mores Dip

We wouldn’t really say this is something hugely innovative, but it does taste sinfully good and the simplicity of it just holds a certain appeal.

Credit: @shuyingong

Another yummy dessert by Happy Rollies, the s’mores dip comes with toasted marshmallows served on top of hot melted chocolate and biscuits for your to eat it with. You also get a choice of either chocolate, white chocolate or oreos.

Price: $2.50

BONUS: Rainbow Bagels

Technically these rainbow delights aren’t a Ramadan bazaar exclusive as you can find them on WORD café’s menu, but we decided that we just couldn’t leave them out of our article

Credit: @rachhmok

This colourful bagel

Price: $8

We hope we’ve helped you narrow down the treats and desserts to try at the ramadan bazaars in Singapore this year and if you think we’ve missed out on any, do let us know in the comments below or hashtag #hhwt/#havehalalwilltravel on your Instagram post and let us know what you recommend!

While our team is eagerly anticipating the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail, we found out that Grab is planning to launch its first ever cross-border carpool service. Yep, this means that we can easily travel from Johor Bahru to Singapore or vice versa, in a private car at a relatively affordable price!

Credit: IRDA via khaliladis

Of course, you can’t beat the price of taking the public bus ($2 to $4) but if you’re looking for a more comfortable and private ride, carpooling not allows you to save on the usual cost of driving or taking a taxi. It would also (hopefully) help lessen the crazy congestion at the tolls and there won’t be a need to alight from a vehicle to get through immigration checkpoints, which are definitely plus points for us.

Credit: Grab

This new service will be available from 20 June onwards, so if you’re planning to try it out, let us know how it goes!

Time to grab your Disney merchandise because Shanghai Disneyland is FINALLY open! Get ready for 6 themed areas, a huge shopping area, 99 acres of Disney magic and not forgetting, insane queues!

Credit: @disneystyle

1. TRON Lightcycle Power Run

This is the ride that you’ve been waiting for… Inspired by the 1982 movie, this ride is the first of its kind in a Disney park so you can expect insane queues for this! As one of Disney’s fastest roller coasters at over 60 miles/hour, riders blast off into dark tunnels with twists and turns, not forgetting colourful special effects along the way. Watch it for yourself!

Credit: insidethemagic

#HHWT tip: Don’t forget to get a fastpass for this ride!

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure

Credit: laughingplace

This Disney classic ride varies in every Disney park but in Shanghai Disneyland, it’s Pirates of the Caribbean like you’ve never seen before. Based mostly on Disney’s hit movies instead of the original 1967 ride, the ride features a new ride system where boats are controlled magnetically instead of on a track, allowing the boats to spin! With the latest technology used, this ride is set to be one of the most immersive Disney rides ever!

3. Enchanted Storybook Castle

Credit: @gracesunn

You can’t really tell from this photo but the Enchanted Storybook Castle is the tallest, largest and most interactive castle in Disney history! Not only is it the focal point of fireworks display (which is the norm in Disney parks), there are attractions, a restaurant and even a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique princess salon for kids housed in this 196 feet castle. While the other Disney park castles are dedicated to a certain Disney princess, this castle represents all princesses.
Credit: @eberlecosplay

P.S. Look out for the massive golden peony (China’s national flower) on top of the castle!

4. Voyage To Crystal Grotto

Credit: @disneyd23

Perfect for families or for the Disney princess in you (ahem, I’m guilty), this leisurely boat ride takes you on a journey through various Disney stories – Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and more! Again, this ride is unique to Shanghai Disneyland

5. Alice In Wonderland Maze

Credit: @mwsm

The first attraction inspired by Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland, disappear down the rabbit hole in this maze! Choose your own path to enter the maze, the aim is to get to the tea party. You’ll be delighted by the whimsical elements as well as hidden surprises along each bend!

Can’t wait to visit Shanghai Disneyland already, now will someone give us a plane ticket, pretty please?

The only reason I moved to Spain was because of their dishes. Just kidding! However if you are a foodie, Spain has so much to offer that you wouldn’t be disappointed. Most of Spanish cuisine has influence from its environment, history and tradition of the locals. Below are some few choices I have organized from number 1 being my top recommendation.

1. Paella

Before arriving Spain, I had seen Paella in my Spanish textbook. Whenever I saw the colourful dish I just couldn’t help but salivate. Naturally it was the first dish I tried once I finally arrived. I strongly suggest that you have Paella in Valencia, Spain where it was originated. The quality in Valencia is incomparable to any other location in Spain.  Ok, what is Paella? Paella is saffron coloured rice usually mixed with all sorts of seafood ingredients such as clams, mussels, shrimps, lobster, crabs etc.

Disclaimer: Do make sure that they do not add in any meats like chicken (unless it’s halal!), chicken stock or alcohol when preparing the dish.

2. Churros con Chocolate

Credit: iwokeuplaughing

If Paella didn’t exist, this would have been the first Spanish love of my life. I have this every other week which makes me question my new year’s resolution of eating healthy. Churro is a semi-sweet fried dough usually doused with sugar or cinnamon. It is very normal to order a hot cup of thick chocolate syrup with the Churros to dip it in. I don’t normally include sugar with my Churros as the hot chocolate is already sweet enough. In Madrid, the best place to have Churros con Chocolate is in San Ginés. Many famous figures have stopped by San Ginés.

3. Croqueta

Credit: cocinaconmarta

This is one of my favorite Spanish foods mainly because it is filling and delicious. Croqueta is fried bread crumbs filled with mashed potatoes and literally anything else, normally chicken or fish or cheese or ham etc. There is a place called Javier Martin Croquetas where there are 32 flavors of these scrumptious appetizers. They range from sweet croquetas, cheesy croquetas, spicy croquetas and so on.

4. Buñol con Chocolate

Credit: eventoshappyever

I added this mainly because I have issues with hot chocolate, I need to check myself. This is also similar to the Churros con Chocolate only that it is in a ball hence the name Buñol.

5. Patata

There is something about the Spaniards and potatoes. Potatoes are included in almost all of their dishes. If you are having a Spanish meal and potato or bread or olive oil are not included; you need to check its Spanish authenticity. However the main potato dish popular in Spain are:

Tortilla Española

Credit: restaurantesabina

A Spanish omelette made with potatoes

Patata Bravas

Boiled and fried potatoes with a vinegar, tomato and red pepper sauce poured on it. Sometimes added to this sauce is aioli- mayonnaise and garlic.

6. Bocadillo de Calamares

Credit: By Tamorlan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

If you are big on seafood, you would enjoy this delicious fried octopus sandwich. Sometimes cheese and vegetable are included with the fried calamari rings but usually it’s just left like that.

7. Huevos Roto

Credit: youtube

I haven’t had this dish yet, but I have heard that it is scrumptious. Huevos Rotos translates to broken eggs, the name is a mystery to me. Huevos Rotos consists of potatoes, sliced meat (make sure it’s halal or omit the meat), green pepper, garlic and the typical seasoning spices.

8. Gazpacho

Fresh gazpacho on the table

Credit: leaf.nutrisystem

This delicious soup is commonly had during Spain’s scorching summers. It is a tomato based soup with raw vegetables, garlic, olive oil and served cold. Gazpacho is originated from Andalusia.

9. Pulpo a la Gallega

Credit: loscaprichosdejorge

This dish is for the seafood lovers as well. Pulpo is squid. This dish originated from Galicia, Spain. Galicia is by the Atlantic Ocean; naturally the best seafood comes from this region of Spain. Pulpo a la gallega is boiled squid mixed with potatoes and sprinkled with pepper, olive oil and salt.

*Special* Horchata is a widely consumed drink in Europe and Latin America. It’s origin is however from Valencia. Part of the influence to this drink was during the Muslim presence from the 8^th century in Valencia. Horchata or Orxata in Valenciano is a drink consisting of almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley and tiger nuts. It is usually served cold in Spain.

Credit: marthastewart

Have I been successful in making you hungry? Great! Look out for more posts from me regarding everything Spanish.

Mosques or Masjids have been the centre of civilizations throughout the history of Islam. They were regarded as the heartbeat of the town where most activities happen during the glorious era of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Nowadays, except for certain mosques, it is more accepted as a place of worship for Muslims where prayers and other religious undertakings happen.

Credit: giphy

However, the importance of mosques is never a doubt. Many are built as a show of Islam’s legacy and glory through its design and architecture. Domes, minarets and prayer halls are some of the more prominent similarities in many mosques around the world but depending on the location, each will have its own unique identity.  Below are 15 outstanding mosques to be visited around the world.

1. Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque, Iran

Credit: travital 

Known as the ‘mosque of women’ for having a tunnel that was only used by women in the past, the tunnel connected the mosque to the Ali Ghapu palace and enabled women of the court to move in and out of the mosque without being observed. Besides its signature blue and turquoise tiles of Esfahan, another excellent feature of the mosque is the dome exterior is covered with cream tiles that change colours throughout the day from cream to pink.

2. Nusrat Djahan Mosque, Copenhagen, Denmark

Credit: ahmadiyyamosque

Located in the outskirts of Copenhagen, this was the first mosque built in Denmark. It was actually financed solely by the female members of the Ahmadi Muslims community, perhaps motivated by the country’s drive for gender equality and women empowerment. The Prime Minister of Denmark had a hand in ensuring the completion of the mosque when he over-ruled the municipality’s decision to revoke its initial permission granted to construct the mosque. The construction gained widespread media and was completed in 1967.

3. Shah Faisal Masjid, Islamabad, Pakistan

Credit: By Alighazanfarz (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Completed in 1986, the Shah Faisal Masjid is the largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia. It was also once the largest mosque in the world from 1986-1993 before being overtook by expansions and constructions of mosques elsewhere and is currently the fourth largest mosque in the world. Designed and shaped based on a desert Bedouin’s tent, naturally it functions as Pakistan’s national mosque with is modern Islamic architecture at the forefront.

P.S. We’ve also featured the Shah Faisal Masjid on our Instagram page where we’re covering a mosque a day for Ramadan, to share the amazing mosques around the world and interesting facts about them!

Modelled after a Bedouin's desert tent , the Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan looks like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie, don't you think? Nestled at the foot of the Margalla Hills, it's situated at the westernmost foothills of the Himalayas. The main prayer hall alone is said to be able to hold around a whopping 10,000 people! Word has it that the CIA actually inspected the minarets to make sure that they weren't missiles in disguise The mosque itself is like a whole mini-village with its own library, museum, lecture hall, café, and it even used to house a University! There's also a Women’s gallery which is rare for a mosque in Pakistan, as most women there pray at home instead. Have any of you visited any interesting mosques you'd like to share with us? Send us a DM and we can feature your photos! – Mikhail Singapore #amosqueaday #mosquesoftheworld #hhwt #havehalalwilltravel photo credits: thousand wanders

A photo posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on Jun 15, 2016 at 7:05pm PDT

4. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Brunei

Credit: By Camera Operator: PH2 JACOB JOHNSON, USN [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Located in Bandar Sri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in South East Asia. Besides a place of worship, it is also a major historical site and a famous tourist attraction. Visitors of Brunei would not miss this structure as it dominates the skyline with one of its minarets being the tallest building in Bandar Sri Begawan. Apparently the sultan ordered the top storey of a nearby building removed, in order for it not to exceed the minaret’s height. It also features a ceremonial stone boat in the lagoon, which is based on a 16^th-century royal barge.

5. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Credit: thecityfinder 

An impressive structure, visible from both bridges that join Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, this mosque features beautiful gardens and serves as a brilliant landmark to the city. It is also the resting place of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed – the first president of UAE. Featuring 82 domes, over 1000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers, the world’s largest hand knotted carpet and able to accommodate 41 000 worshippers, it is one of the few mosques in the region that is also open to non-Muslims.

6. Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Credit: moroccotraveldirectory 

This marvellous architecture was built to commemorate the former king’s 60^th birthday. Along with its 210m minaret, the mosque rises above the ocean in its full galore of being the world’s third largest mosque. It features heated flooring, a retractable roof, a section of glass flooring and also a laser light atop its minaret, pointing to Mecca every single night. It started when King Hassan II stated his wish for the city to “be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time” on his birthday, owing to the fact that Casablanca lacks any historical monument of sorts. Thirteen years later, he inaugurated the Hassan II Mosque which was built on a rocky outcrop of reclaimed land.

7. Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, India

Credit: panoramio

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. Built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in the 16^th century, it was part of the World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri – the capital of the Mughal Empire for some 10 years. With its beautiful Iranian architecture, Jama Masjid also serves as one of the most visited tourist destinations in Agra. The construction of the mosque marks a transition in Islamic art in India where the blend of Persian and native elements are very much evident.

8. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Credit: reversehomesickness 

One of the more recognisable mosques in the world, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque features an exterior with a cascade of domes and six minarets. The blue iznik tiles which make up the interior gives this mosque its more fashionable and common name – the Blue Mosque. It is the only mosque in Turkey detailing six minarets and its courtyard is the largest among all Ottoman mosques. Tourists and locals alike normally gather at the park facing the mosque during the Maghrib call of prayer as the athan, combined with the floodlights illuminating the mosque, makes a truly beautiful and hair-raising experience.

9. Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Credit: timeout 

With the blue mosque in Istanbul, there is also a red mosque in Colombo. In one of the busier commercial districts of Colombo – Pettah, stands this striking and unique structure. Each brick used in the construction of this outstanding piece of architecture is painted red or white and used in contrasting designs – hence, being commonly known as the Red Mosque. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture, featuring pomegranate-shaped domes gives this mosque its own character and remarkableness. Some also claim that this building was used as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port in the past.

10. Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Credit: tedytravel

Within the grounds of the Islamic Heritage Park in Kuala Terengganu, the Crystal Mosque was built on a man-made island. It was officially opened in February 2008 and is the country’s first ‘intelligent’ mosque with built-in IT infrastructure and WiFi connection providing visitors with internet access to read the Quran digitally. Its stunning architecture is made of steel and glass giving the mosque its crystal-like appearance. Also with the display of lights at night, the mosque truly deserves it reputation of one of the most beautiful mosques having its domes and minarets change colours to pink yellow, green and blue.

11. Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Credit: artxalec

Built in the 15^th century, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque was one of the largest and gorgeous mosques in the world. In 1897, an earthquake brought down parts of the mosque but slowly and surely, major parts of the mosque have been restored. According to some legends, the mosque was built by Bibi-Khanym, Tamerlane’s favourite wife in order to honour his return from India with the aim of it being the most grandiose creation and structure on Samarkand. It features three domed rooms, covered galleries, 8 minarets (4 restored and 4 yet to be completed), and also an open courtyard with a stone pedestal – a huge Quran stand.

12. Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Credit: seriouslytravel

Displaying unique black domes, made of hard wood shingles combined as tiles, this mosque is one of the better known in Indonesia due to its significance during the 2004 tsunami. Many cited divine intervention as the reason this 130 year old mosque somehow survived and withstood the disaster when neighbouring structures around the mosque were flattened by the unstoppable swell. Numerous locals took refuge here while the tsunami ravaged the landscape of Banda Aceh. Images of the incident still mesmerises even to this day. With its design based on the Mughal revival style, today it features 7 domes, 8 minarets and 32 pillars.

13. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

Credit: stevetarbuck 

This mosque was a gift from Sultan Qaboos to his nation to mark his 30^th year of reign. The main prayer hall features the world’s second largest hand-loomed Persian carpet measuring 70m x 60m which took 600 women 4 years to weave. It serves as the main mosque in Oman and is the only one open to non-Muslims. Besides the prayer halls, the mosque also features surrounding courtyards and 5 minarets that represent the Five Pillars of Islam.

14. Mashkhur Jusup Central Mosque, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.

Credit: mapio 

Adorned with an 8-axis star, a dome and 4 minarets, this mosque can be found right in the city centre. Being true to its function as a proper mosque, it also features a school, wedding hall, library, cinema, dining room and also an Islamic culture museum among others. Built primarily form monolithic iron concrete, bricks, metal, marble and aluminium, its architecture became an inspiration and has influenced many urban designs in the country. Certainly its centre piece is unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

15. Masjid Al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Credit: Credit: worldfortravel

Last but not least is the mosque all Muslims would know at heart and love to be at. The holiest place in Islam features the most important structure in Islam – the Kaaba which serves as the Qiblah at its heart. This mosque is where all Muslims face when we pray. It is also subject to ever present renovations and changes to accommodate Muslims from around the world where certain pillars of the Hajj is performed. It is also the largest mosque in the world and is able to house 900 000 worshippers at any time throughout the year. This number though, increases exponentially during the Hajj season.

Craving for some pasta or Korean food but not planning on travelling this Ramadan? Not to worry. You can always whip up an awesome dish and travel through your tastebuds!

1. Turkish Kofta Meatballs

Widely used in Middle Eastern and Turkish dishes, Kofta spice mix can be easily found in supermarkets. If otherwise, you can always mix your own by combining equal amounts of fennel, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, sumac and Harissa paste or any of those available in your kitchen.

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Feeds: 4 pax

Ingredients

• 600g minced lamb meat
• 1 Spanish onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 canned tomatoes
• 4 table spoon olive oil, more for searing meatballs
• 6tbsp Kofta spice mix
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 pcs cardamom
• ½ cup water
• Chopped parsley/ toasted almonds for garnish

Steps

1. Start by mixing all the Kofta spice mix, a fat pinch of salt and pepper to the minced meat. Mix to combine and make 10 equal size oblong shaped meatballs.
2. Heat a deep dish pan with olive oil. Sear the meat balls for 1 minute on each side or until slightly brown. This helps in keeping its shape, though the meat is not fully cooked yet.
3. Let the half cooked meatballs rest on a plate.
4. Sautee onions till semi translucent. Add garlic, coriander seeds and cardamom and stir fry till fragrant.
5. Add canned tomatoes, ½ cup water, and season with salt, pepper and sugar. Cooked thoroughly until the sauce reduces.
6. Lastly, add the meatballs in the sauce, stir to combine and cover for 5 minutes.
7. Top with garnish and ready to serve.

This recipe pairs nicely with herb rice, toasted buns as sliders or boiled pasta!

2. Korean Garlic Gochujang Hot Wings

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made out of red chili, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It’s a pungent, salty and spicy paste great for making sauces, marinates and glazes as in this recipe.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax

Ingredients

• 6 pairs of chicken wings, chop off the drumette from the wingette
• 200g all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp pepper
• 200g butter
• 200g Gochujang sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, mash to a paste
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Oil for deep-frying
• Sesame seeds and spring onions for garnish

Steps

1. Heat up a deep fryer with 3 inches of cooking oil.
2. Mix the paprika, thyme, salt and pepper with all-purpose flour.
3. Drench each drumette and wingette with the seasoned flour.
4. Deep fry the chicken wings in small batches to ensure it is cooked thoroughly and remain its crispiness. Fry till golden brown and drip off excess oil on kitchen towel.
5. Prepare the Gochujang glaze by melting butter in a small saucepan with garlic till fragrant.
6. Add brown sugar till dissolve.
7. Toss the glaze and fried chicken wings in a small bowl till combine.
8. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions and ready to munch!

When you feel like munching on hot wings, but you are bored of the same old BBQ flavours. Try this zesty recipe a try!

3. Cashew Nut Pesto Tagliatelle

Tagliatelle is long, flat, ribbon-like pasta also known as Fettucini. Perfect pair with pesto sauce to absorb all the seasoned green oil goodness. Traditional Italian pesto uses toasted pine nuts. However, this recipe shows how versatile the sauce can be. Pick any nut that is bland, rich and creamy such as almonds and cashews for an added twist.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax

Ingredients

• 500g Italian sweet basil leaves
• ¼ cup cashews, toasted
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2/3 cups extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 300g Tagliatelle, cook according to packaging
• ½ cup parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Add all the basil, garlic, cooled toasted cashews and olive oil in a blender. Blitz to a almost smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper
2. Strain the freshly boiled pasta and place in a big mixing bowl. Add 4 tablespoons worth of the pesto with the parmesan cheese. Toss till combine. Season if necessary.
3. Top with more cheese and ready to serve.

Add protein to this recipe such as simple sautéed prawns, chicken or smoked beef to make it a full meal. Make this sauce in big batches and store in air-tight jars for your daily use. Use as sandwich spread, marinates or to add that pop of flavour to any boring dish. Store up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

 4. Egyptian Spiced Foul Beans with Chunky Toast

Foul beans can be easily found in supermarkets and are guaranteed safe to consume even though it’s canned food. To make this dish taste like a day labour worth, cheat your way with a store-bought Briyani mixed spice. Usually comprising over 7 types of spices including fennel seeds, star anise, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds and nutmeg. Already sounds a doctor’s prescription for a youthful life!

This dish is usually served as a breakfast/brunch item. Topped with a simple fried egg and paired with buttery toast, this staple is fit for an Egytian champion!

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Feeds: 4 pax

Ingredients

• 1 Spanish onion, chopped
• 1 medium size capsicum
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 400g minced meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 packet store-bought biryani mixed spice (dry or wet)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ can canned tomato
• ½ cup water
• 1 can foul beans , drained
• 4 eggs, sunny side up
• 4 pieces chunky toast, buttered and lightly toasted
• Garnishing:
  • 4 slices lemon wedges
  • 1 Green chilli, chopped
  • 1 small shallot, chopped

Methods

1. Heat a frying pan with olive oil and sauté onions and capsicum till soften. Add garlic, minced meat and Briyani mixed spice. Stir fry till fragrant.
2. Add the tomatoes, water and beans and cook on low simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Season to taste and cook till water reduced a tad bit.
4. Dish into four separate bowls and top with the sunny side ups. Serve with toast.

Be creative by varying the toast to pitas, flat breads or regular sandwich bread!

5. English Breaded Fish with Mushy Peas

The British are famous for their fish and chips. This recipe opts for a healthier process of cooking the fish by lightly breading and quickly pan fry it. Pairing it with some sweet green peas instead of fries, levels up your vege intake!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax

Ingredients

• ½ cup corn oil
• 400g white fish, sliced into two portions (milk fish, dory fish, halibut)
• 10 tbsp all-purpose flour, heavily seasoned with salt and pepper
• 400g peas,boiled
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 lemon, wedged
• 5 tbsp yogurt
• Salt and pepper

Steps

1. Heat up a frying pan to high heat with ½ cup frying oil.
2. Bread the pieces of fish and pan fry in batches. Do not over crowd the pan or else the crispiness do not appear. Drip dry the fried fish on kitchen towel.
3. In the meantime, place the mushy beans in a blender. Add ½ of the lemon juice and blitz to a chunky mush. Season to taste.
4. Lastly, place the yogurt in a small bowl and add the other ½ of lemon juice. Season to taste and mix.
5. Plate the fish with mushy peas, yogurt and lemon wedge on the side

Hey, go ahead and add those potato fries! No one’s stopping you.

Always try and pick for healthier process of preparing them such as boiling or roasting.

6. Thai Stir-Fried Vermicelli

Imitating the flavours of famous Thai dish called Tom Yum, this dish is simple to prepare when you are having that Thai crave.

Prepare the aromatics together by blending it all in the blender at once. Nonetheless, use up any proteins you have available. This recipe calls for seafood as it is best for Thai flavours.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax

Ingredients

• 500g packaged dried vermicelli noodle, blanched to soften and cooled
• ½ cup Thai Chili Paste
• 1/3 cup frying oil
• 1 medium shallot minced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3 bird’s eye chili, minced
• ½ inch lemongrass, minced
• ½ inch fresh ginger, minced
• 100g prawn, shelled
• 100g squid ring
• A handful of bean sprout
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garnishing:
  • A small bunch of Spring Onions
  • A small bunch of coriander leaves
  • Wedges of lime

Steps

1. Heat a medium size wok with frying oil. Add all the aromatic and fry till fragrant.
2. Add the proteins and cook for a minute or two.
3. Add noodles and chili paste. Stir till combine on medium heat. Season to taste.
4. Lastly, throw in the bean sprouts and lightly combine.
5. Plate in a serving dish and sprinkle with garnish items.

Feel free to try it out with chicken, beef or even eggs! Change up the vegetable option with whatever that is in season.

Hope these recipe ideas inspire you to imagine and be creative in mixing flavours around the world with different ways of preparing a dish. Ramadan kareem everyone!

We don’t know about you but one of the things we’re *trying* to do this Ramadan is to reduce being glued to our phones unnecessarily. But if it’s a habit that’s difficult to kick, we might as well use our devices for increasing our spiritual productivity in this holy month instead!

Credit: giphy

Here are some great apps you should have on your phone:

1. Muslim Pro

Credit: Muslim Pro

If there’s only one app you should download on your phone, Muslim Pro would definitely be on top of that list. An app that’s already widely used by Muslims around the world, Muslim Pro is the all-in-one app you’re looking for if you want prayer times wherever you are, the Holy Quran with audio recitations by multiple reciters and translations in different languages, a Qibla compass, an Islamic calendar, a zakat calculator, the Fortress of the Muslim collection of dua and supplications, and the 99 Names of Allah for you to learn and memorize. You can even use the app to find halal restaurants and mosques around you, share your favourite Quranic verses with your loved ones, send Islamic greeting cards (definitely useful when Eid rolls around!) and check fasting times during Ramadan.

Download Muslim Pro from the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

2.  Quran Companion by Quran Academy

It should be the goal of every Muslim to deepen their relationship with the Quran, whether by increasing in memorisation or recitation of Surahs, or trying to understand its meaning. However, many of us let time pass us by without building a meaningful relationship with the book of Allah due to many reasons, from being too busy with other obligations to thinking that it’s just too hard to memorise the Quran (I’ve definitely been guilty of this!).

That’s where the Quran Companion app by Quran Academy comes in.

Credit: quranacademy

With guided lessons to help you memorise the Surahs you want, games and social motivation to get you going, this app is perfect for those who need flexibility and fun in learning the Quran. You can use it to memorise or revise anywhere and any time! I know i’m definitely benefiting from it

Learn more about the app here or get it on Google Play (Available on iOS soon).

3.  PrayerTime.sg

If you’re in Singapore, don’t leave home without this app on your phone! With accurate data provided by MUIS, this app provides prayer time notifications, a Qiblat compass and locations of mosques around Singapore. Great when your out and about town!

Get it on Google Play or the iTunes App Store.

4. The HHWT Travel Planner App

We’ve already got 10 reasons why you need to download the HHWT Travel Planner before you head to Seoul, and with more destinations coming soon (we hear you, we’re working super hard on it and we can’t wait to reveal new cities!), this app will be all you need on your adventures around the world! Be it to find great local halal food, fun attractions to visit on your trip or if you’re looking for a local mosque to pray in, we’ve got you covered

We really appreciate all the love and support we’ve received on our app so far, and we’re looking forward to delivering you more features and destinations!

Download the app now on Google Play and iTunes App Store.

5. myDuaa: Fortress of a Muslim

The myDuaa app brings together a compilation of the well known Fortress of a Muslim collection of duas, right at your fingertips. With over 15 categories from clothing to greeting, remembrances for the day, what duas to make when you’re facing difficulty and even for when you travel, this app is indispensable!

Credit: IhsaanFusion

Don’t worry about language if you can’t read Arabic, as not only are the supplications provided in its original Arabic – it also has transliterations, audio and English translations to help you memorise and understand your favourite duas. Found a dua that you love? You can bookmark your favourites or share it with loved ones too!

Get myDuaa on iTunes and Google Play.

6. AyahADay

Credit: ayahaday

With it’s easy to use interface and simple design, there’s no excuse not to learn the meaning of at least one ayah of the Quran a day with this app on your phone. Developed with Bayyinah Institute and Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan, the app prompts you to read and listen to an ayah together with its meaning and explanation from Ustadh Nouman himself! Each audio clip is takes you less than 5 minutes to listen to – perfect for when you’re on the go or even when you’re doing chores.

Get the app on iTunes or Google Play.

7. Hadith of The Day

Credit: Hadith of the Day

Another app that’s great for bite-sized learning is the HOTD app that not only lets you learn new hadiths daily, but also has selected ayahs of the Quran, heartwarming duas and an Inspire section where you can read about interesting Islamic facts, personal reflections, interviews of famous Muslim personalities and even learn more about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Download the app for Android or iOS.

8. Muslim Central

Always wanted to listen to more Islamic lectures but never got around to attending any in person or don’t have the time to sit and watch one on YouTube? Download the Muslim Central app for a whole host of podcasts from your favourite speakers, regularly updated with their latest lectures. It’s the perfect companion for when you’re stuck in a long commute, because you can pick which speaker and topic to listen to straight from the app. From hundreds of lectures to choose from, there’s bound to be one that speaks straight to your heart!

Credit: MuslimCentral

Apple users do not have a dedicated app just yet, but you can check out the iTunes audio podcasts for every speaker and Quran reciter here, while Android users can either download the app for individual speakers or get the multi speaker app (which has most of the speakers) in one app here.

9. Prophetic Timeline

Credit: Prophetic Timeline

This app is a great resource for those who want to learn more about the life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW at the convenience of their fingertips. Laid out in an interactive timeline of significant events in his life, with lessons and wisdoms to learn from each event, you can even bring to life the stories though the audio book feature narrated by a BBC voice-over speaker. The Sirah Map feature also allows you to have a visual representation of the locations that the Prophet and his Companions journeyed to in their lifetime. How awesome is that?

Prophetic Timeline is available both on Google Play and iTunes.

We hope these apps will be a great addition to your daily learnings!