Hari Raya Aidilfitri, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is a joyous celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. In Malaysia, this festive occasion is deeply rooted in tradition, and food plays a central role in bringing families and communities together. From savory rendang to sweet kuih raya, the dishes served during Hari Raya are not only delicious but also carry cultural significance.
Let’s explore how your food business can capitalize on these must-have Hari Raya dishes and create memorable experiences for your customers.
Ketupat is a compressed rice cake wrapped in intricately woven palm leaves.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Convenience Trend – Offer pre-cooked or frozen ketupat for busy households, restaurants, and caterers who need a quick solution without compromising tradition.
✅ Health & Innovation – Offer variations like brown rice ketupat or pandan-flavored options to attract health-conscious.
✅ Gift Packaging – Sell ketupat in premium festive packaging, bundled with rendang or satay sauce, for customers seeking Hari Raya gift sets.
Lemang, made from glutinous rice and coconut milk cooked in bamboo, is a traditional dish often paired with rendang or serunding.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Pre-Packaged Lemang – Sell lemang in vacuum-sealed packs with heating instructions to extend shelf life and ease consumption.
✅ Meal Pairing Bundles – Offer meal combos featuring lemang with beef rendang or serunding for a complete festive experience.
✅ Restaurant & Catering Expansion – Supply lemang to restaurants, catering businesses, or food trucks to increase distribution.
Rendang is a slow-cooked dish made with beef or chicken, simmered in aromatic spices and coconut milk.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Meal Kits & DIY Cooking Packs – Provide spice pastes or semi-cooked rendang kits such as the ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen cooked dishes by MamaRai. This allowing customers to experience homemade flavors with less effort.
✅ Health-Conscious Rendang – Introduce lean-meat rendang or plant-based rendang options to cater to health-conscious consumers.
Tender silver catfish (ikan patin) cooked in a rich, tangy, and slightly spicy fermented durian (tempoyak) gravy, making it a unique and flavorful dish to serve during festive gatherings.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Pre-Made Tempoyak Sauce – Sell bottled tempoyak paste for home cooks who want to recreate this dish easily.
✅ Frozen Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak – Provide frozen ready-to-cook versions, catering to busy professionals.
✅ Restaurant Specialties & Promotions – Restaurants can market this dish as a signature Hari Raya menu item to attract customers.
Bubur Lambuk, a spiced rice porridge, is traditionally distributed during Ramadan and enjoyed during Hari Raya.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Festive Catering & Events – Provide large-scale bubur lambuk catering for corporate events, mosques, and charities.
✅ Ready-to-Eat Versions – Sell frozen or canned bubur lambuk for easy reheating and consumption.
Satay, marinated and grilled meat served with peanut sauce, is a crowd-pleaser at any Hari Raya gathering.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Frozen Satay Packs – Offer marinated frozen satay for a quick and convenient meal option. Brands like Satay Sumo provide ready-to-eat (RTE) satay in the market.
✅ Satay Meal Sets – Offer complete satay meal kits with peanut sauce, ketupat, and side condiments.
✅ Satay Catering Services – Provide live grilling services for events, weddings, and corporate functions.
Kuih Raya, such as kuih lapis, dodol, and kuih bangkit, are essential festive snacks.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Online Kuih Raya Sales – Set up an e-commerce store to sell assorted kuih raya in gift boxes.
✅ Subscription Boxes – Offer monthly snack subscription boxes featuring different kuih raya varieties.
✅ Corporate & Custom Orders – Provide personalized packaging for corporate gifting and events.
Daging Masak Hitam is a rich and flavorful beef stew cooked with a blend of sweet and spicy dark sauce.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Frozen Ready-to-Eat Dishes – Offer frozen or vacuum-packed daging masak hitam for quick meal solutions.
✅ Restaurant & Buffet Menus – Add this dish to buffet menus to attract customers seeking traditional flavors.
✅ Export Opportunities – Target international markets by selling packaged daging masak hitam with halal certification.
Briyani is a fragrant rice dish infused with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Pre-Packaged Briyani Kits – Sell meal kits with pre-measured spices and rice for easy home cooking.
✅ Briyani Catering – Offer large-scale catering for festive events, weddings, and corporate gatherings.
Gulai is a hearty, spice-rich curry made with beef, chicken, or vegetables.
Business Opportunity:
✅ Ready-Made Gulai Sauce – Produce and sell bottled gulai paste for easy home cooking.
✅ Festive Takeaway & Delivery – Offer gulai meal sets with rice and side dishes for convenient home dining.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time of joy, togetherness, and delicious food. These traditional dishes not only satisfy the palate but also bring families and friends closer, celebrating culture and heritage.
Enhance your dishes with “AJINOMOTO” seasonings to deliver rich, savory flavors that keep customers coming back. Whether you’re a caterer, restaurant owner, or food producer, this Hari Raya is your chance to create memorable dining experiences and grow your business. Selamat Hari Raya and happy cooking!
Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner
