In recent years, the Geylang Pasar Malam during the Ramadan period has drawn bigger and bigger crowds.

It has become more over-the-top, more instagrammable, more…well, atas. 

If you are older and remember how this bazaar used to be in years past, well, you’d probably comment on how unrecognisable it is now.

It’s basically put a modern, hip spin on something traditional, and man, people absolutely love it.

So now we wonder, what’s going to go on in the Geylang Serai Ramadan Pasar Malam this year!

Well, here are ten things you should know!

1. When is it?

So this year’s bazaar is going to go on for longer than any other year! It has opened (since 12 May) and will continue on all the way till June 14!

This year’s bazaar is also going to bigger, expanding to the new Wisma Geylang Serai!

With more food vendors and clothing vendors involved this year, it will be quite the happening place for the next 34 odd days!

2. The Cost

The things that you are going to be getting from this year’s night bazaar is more than likely going to come with a steeper price tag than in previous years.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

No, it’s not because vendors are on a greed-trip and want to make more money.

It is simply because the rent prices have gone up, with rent costing as much as $9,000 dollars in prime areas, and electricity costing an additional $10,000 on top of that.

Let’s put this into perspective.

10 years ago, the entire area’s rent combined was about $300,000. This year, it’s over 3 MILLION DOLLARS. 

Don’t let the higher prices deter you though, the quality and aesthetic of the things being sold will be maintained, or even better!

3. It Got Into the Headlines Last Year for All The Wrong Reasons

Well, for the start, people thought that it’s no longer a place selling Halal food but merely a hipster’s place.

Then, a total of 31 people were arrested for working there illegally. There was even a fake news about a stall selling cat and dog meat (?!?!).

Finally, a man who got hit by a Turkish Ice-cream Man’s stick went viral.

Well, at least now, there hasn’t been any bad press about this event. Yet.

But don’t let that deter you; read on because you’ll be dying to go there by the end of the article.

4. Sofnade

One of the stalls you should visit would be Sofnade, where you can get your sweet tooth fix!

With items like cake doughnut balls drizzled in chocolate, doughnut soft serve, and massive bucket drinks, not only are they extremely delicious and bound to hit that sweet spot.

They are also so beautiful, making them aesthetic enough for instagram!

Putting a spin on the local satay, the stall also serves up meatballs in a bucket.

It is essentially meatballs with cucumber and lontong slices mixed together, and that sweet, delicious satay peanut sauce drenching all the ingredients in one big bucket!

5. Katoshka

Yep, Katoshka is another big player on the atas pasar malam scene that will be around for the 2018 night bazaar!

These double-fried fries, rolled around in a mix of herbs and spices topped up with a sauce of your choice is something you really can’t go wrong with.

It’s worth every single calorie.

Because it just tastes so damn good.

And the sauces are absolutely incredible, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

But if you ask me for my personal favourite, it would be a tie between the special cheese and the salted egg yolk!

6. The Raclette Factory

Okay, so this stall is another one that is very familiar to the pasar malam scene.

A bit pricier than most, it’s definitely worth it though.

I mean, sausages and potatoes drenched in the absolutely incredible halal raclette cheese?

Uh, yes, please!!!

It’s just fatty, hearty, unhealthy goodness that you won’t regret eating.

We do recommend sharing though, because it can be a bit too much for one person!

Unless you are very hungry. Then we don’t judge.

7. 21 Sliders

(Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article showed pork burgers being sold at 21 Sliders. That is untrue and 21 Sliders only uses 100% halal products. We apologise for the mistake and confusion caused.)

These guys will be back again this year too!

With affordable, filling and super yummy small little burgers, one just isn’t enough!

Definitely try their fried chicken drumstick, as well as ‘The Wrangler’ slider – they got the best reactions last year!

8. Meat My Meat

Meat My Meat serves up some philly cheesesteak variations, with items like philly cheesesteak fries, and buffalo cheezeysteak hotdog!

This one isn’t for the fainthearted, with steak and cheese being paired together.

It’s incredibly calorie-dense and fatty.

Which again, makes it absolutely delicious!

Just share it though, so you won’t clog up your arteries eating all of this on your own!

9. Loco Loco Singapore

Loco Loco gives some very uniquely Singaporean twists on this traditionally South American dessert!

With flavours like ondeh ondeh churros, red velvet churros and pandan churros, this is a must-visit stall!

Seriously, your Singaporean palette will be very pleasantly surprised.

It’s an extremely enjoyable food experience, and I promise you, it’s a pretty amazing twist on the plain churro!

10. Ikan

So, a Ramadan bazaar wouldn’t be complete without at least one more authentic food item on the menu.

And that’s where Ikan steps in!

Ikan is a family-run business that have been serving a family recipe for Otah since 1986!

And their Otah is so fresh and absolutely delicious.

This year, they don’t just have one stall, but two!! This can testify to how popular they are because of how good their food is!

They also serve pulot pangang, a delicious, yummy and traditional treat!

Pay them a visit and feel connected to the cultural roots that they are proud to boast.

11. Wisma Geylang Serai

This new building will have an important role to play in the 2018 Ramadan bazaar!

Not only will there be stalls both inside and outside this building that spans the size of a football field.

There will also be a historical portion showcasing the history and culture of the Malay community throughout the decades.

All the food stall here are halal-certified, and will have different zones following the theme of ‘Fun, Fresh and Nostalgic’.

This area will be centred towards remembering the roots of the community and celebrating it in a more traditional way.

This is a must-visit to remember the reason why Ramadan and Hari Raya is celebrated in Singapore and get educated on the Malay community in Singapore as well!

All part of our multi-cultural, kampong spirit!

So there you go! 10 things to know about this year’s Geylang Serai Bazaar!

Hopefully, we will see you there munching on some yummy goodies, taking that perfect Instagram picture, while learning more about the celebration and culture itself!

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