Malaysia’s Ramadhan Bazaar 2025: How Much Do Desserts, Food and Drinks Cost?
Introduction
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) conducted a Ramadhan Bazaar Survey beginning on 5 March 2025, covering 16 states across Malaysia. The objective of this survey is to provide an overview of food and beverage prices at Ramadhan Bazaars in 2025. It includes popular desserts, savory dishes, and drinks, offering insights into price variations across different states.
Scope & Methodology
- Prices are presented as average values (RM).
- Survey conducted across all 16 states in Malaysia.
- Data collected from 64 selected Ramadhan Bazaars.
- The full dataset covers 20 selected items:
- Food
- Drink
- Kuih (dessert)
- For food items, this project focuses specifically on rice dishes and the popular Roti John.
Analysis
Food at Ramadan Bazaars
Roti John
We begin with one of the most popular and relevant items in the Ramadhan Bazaar: Roti John.
Think of it like a spicy, Malaysian-style meat omelet sandwich: Messy, saucy, and super satisfying. Here’s an example of what it looks like.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has categorized this dish into two sizes: Large and Small.
- Most Expensive Large Roti John: Johor (RM 11.00)
- Most Affordable Large Roti John: Sarawak (RM 7.00)
- Most Expensive Small Roti John: Pulau Pinang (RM 7.50)
- Most Affordable Small Roti John: W.P. Labuan & Pahang (RM 5.00)
⚠️ Note: No recorded price for Small Roti John in Perlis.
Observations:
- The price gap for Large Roti John is RM 4.00 between Johor (highest) and Sarawak (lowest).
- The price range for Small Roti John is narrower, with a RM 2.50 difference between Pulau Pinang (highest) and W.P. Labuan/Pahang (lowest).
- Pulau Pinang stands out as the only state where Small Roti John costs more than RM 7.00.
Nasi Ayam (Chicken Rice)
Nasi Ayam is a popular Malaysian dish: Simple and packed with flavor. It literally means “chicken rice” in Malay. Here’s an example of what it looks like.
- You can get Nasi Ayam for under RM10 in every state and federal territory in Malaysia — except for W.P. Labuan, which stands out with a much higher average price of RM11.50.
- Terengganu offers the lowest average price at RM6.70, followed closely by Pulau Pinang (RM6.80) and Kelantan (RM7.00).
Ayam Penyet (Smashed Fried Chicken with Rice)
Nasi Ayam Penyet is a super popular dish in Malaysia and originally comes from Indonesia.
“Ayam Penyet” means “smashed chicken”: The chicken is marinated, deep-fried until crispy, then lightly smashed to tenderize it.
- Negeri Sembilan (RM12.30) tops the list, followed by W.P. Putrajaya (RM12.00) and Sarawak (RM11.80) — the only three states/territories with average prices above RM11.
- The most affordable Nasi Ayam Penyet can be found in Selangor (RM8.20) and Perlis (RM8.50).
- Majority of states price Nasi Ayam Penyet above RM9, suggesting it is generally considered more premium than regular Nasi Ayam.
Nasi Arab Ayam (Arab-style Rice with Chicken)
What it is: Nasi Arab Ayam usually refers to dishes like Mandi, Kabsa, or Maqluba, served with spiced rice and large cuts of chicken.
- W.P. Putrajaya stands out with the highest average price at RM19.00, significantly more expensive than all other states.
- Selangor (RM16.30) and Kedah (RM15.70) follow, making up the top three.
- The most affordable Nasi Arab Ayam can be found in:
- W.P. Labuan – RM8.00
- Perlis – RM11.00
- Negeri Sembilan – RM12.00
- Surprisingly, W.P. Labuan, which had the most expensive Nasi Ayam, now offers the cheapest Nasi Arab Ayam— a sharp contrast in pricing behavior.
Nasi Putih, Ayam & Sayur (White Rice with Chicken & Vegetables)
- Kelantan stands out as the most expensive state for this dish at RM11.70, significantly higher than the rest.
- W.P. Putrajaya and W.P. Kuala Lumpur follow at RM9.50 each.
- The lowest average price is found in Sabah at RM7.30, followed by Kedah (RM8.00) and Johor & Sarawak (RM8.40).
Nasi Putih, Ikan & Sayur (White Rice with Fish & Vegetables)
- W.P. Putrajaya leads with the highest average price at RM12.00, followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur (RM10.50)and Pahang (RM10.10).
- Perlis offers the most affordable price at RM6.40, followed by Sabah (RM 7.40) and Kedah (RM7.60).
Nasi kerabu ayam (Herb blue rice with chicken)
Nasi Kerabu is a traditional Malaysian rice dish known for its vibrant blue rice, served with fresh herbs, vegetables, sambal, and a choice of protein like fried chicken or grilled fish
- Sabah (RM10.90) and Sarawak (RM10.80) recorded the highest average prices, followed by Selangor (RM10.10).
- On the other end, Kelantan (RM7.00) and Perlis (RM7.10) offer the most affordable Nasi Kerabu Ayam.
- Majority of the states price this dish between RM8.00–10.00, showing moderate affordability.
Nasi Dagang (Trader’s Rice)
Nasi Dagang is a flavorful rice dish made with fragrant rice steamed in coconut milk, served with a rich tuna fish curry (gulai ikan tongkol) and often accompanied by pickled vegetables (acar).
- Johor leads with the highest average price at RM10.50, followed by W.P. Labuan and Sabah at RM10.00 each.
- The lowest price is found in Perlis (RM6.00) — making it the most affordable Nasi Dagang in the country by far.
- The traditional East Coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu offer this dish at RM8.00, showing local accessibility and cultural familiarity.
Notable Insights
- Most Affordable Rice Dish Overall: Nasi Dagang in Perlis (RM6.00)
- Most Expensive Rice Dish Overall: Nasi Arab Ayam in Putrajaya (RM19.00)
- State with Most High Prices: Putrajaya – appears frequently in the top 3 for highest prices.
- State with Most Affordable Prices: Perlis and Sabah consistently offer the lowest or second-lowest prices.
Dessert & Kuih in Ramadan Bazaars
We now turn to the prices of popular desserts and kuih commonly found in Malaysia’s Ramadhan Bazaar.
Karipap Kentang (Potato Curry Puff)
- Most Expensive: W.P. Putrajaya, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pulau Pinang (RM 0.90 per piece)
- Most Affordable: Perlis (RM 0.50 per piece)
- The price difference between the highest and lowest is RM 0.40 per piece
Ketayap (Pandan Crepe Roll)
Kuih Ketayap is a soft, green rolled crepe made with pandan-flavored batter, filled with sweet, moist grated coconut cooked in palm sugar (gula Melaka). It’s a popular teatime snack and a staple at festive markets like Ramadhan bazaars
- Most Expensive: W.P. Putrajaya & Negeri Sembilan (RM 1.00 per piece)
- Most Affordable: Kelantan & Perlis (RM 0.50 per piece)
Seri Muka (Glutinous Rice with Pandan Custard)
Kuih Seri Muka is a traditional two-layered Malaysian dessert with glutinous rice on the bottom and pandan custard on top, offering a sweet, creamy, and slightly salty taste.
- Most Expensive: Perlis (RM 1.80 per piece)
- Most Affordable: Sarawak, Perak, Melaka (RM 0.60 per piece)
- Perlis has the highest recorded price for Kuih Seri Muka, 3 times the price in Melaka, Perak, and Sarawak.
Tepung Pelita (Layered Rice Flour Pudding)
Tepung Pelita is a soft, two-layered Malay kuih made of fragrant pandan custard topped with rich, salty coconut milk, traditionally served in small banana leaf trays.
- Most Expensive: W.P. Putrajaya, Selangor & Negeri Sembilan (RM 1.10 per piece)
- Most Affordable: Perlis (RM 0.70 per piece)
Popia Goreng (Spring Roll)
- Most Expensive: Selangor (RM 1.40 per piece)
- Most Affordable: Terengganu and Perlis (RM 0.60 per piece)
Notable Insights
- Urban areas like W.P. Putrajaya, W.P. Kuala Lumpur & Selangor consistently have higher kuih prices for most items.
- Perlis stands out: it has the cheapest Karipap, Ketayap, Tepung Pelita & Popia Goreng, but the most expensive Seri Muka.
Drinks at Ramadhan Bazaars
Watermelon juice
- Highest Price: Selangor – RM6.00
- Lowest: Pulau Pinang – RM3.10
Soy Milk
- Highest Price: Sabah – RM6.50
- Lowest Price: Kedah – RM3.70
- Note: No data recorded for W.P. Labuan
Sirap Bandung (Rose Milk)
Sirap Bandung is a sweet, creamy Malaysian drink made from rose syrup and evaporated or condensed milk, served cold over ice
- Highest Price: W.P. Putrajaya – RM6.00
- Lowest: Pulau Pinang, Perlis, Johor – RM3.00
Notable insights
Pulau Pinang consistently appears in the Top 3 lowest-priced states for all three drinks at the 2025 Ramadhan Bazaar