KUALA LUMPUR – In the heart of Johor’s bustling Taman Suria, the typical sights and sounds of a Ramadan bazaar have been elevated by an extraordinary culinary spectacle. As the evening prayer approaches, thick, fragrant plumes of smoke rise from a stall that has become a viral landmark for foodies across the causeway.
The stall, known as “Ikan Bakar No. 1 JB,” has transformed the traditional concept of a bazaar visit into a premium seafood experience, drawing massive crowds with a display of marine life that looks more like a high-end aquarium than a street food vendor.
Now entering its fifth year of operation, the stall has carved out a unique niche by focusing on a “jumbo-sized” branding strategy. While most bazaar traders focus on quick, affordable bites, owner Salwa Mohd Yamin, 29, and her team have doubled down on luxury and scale.
According to 23-year-old stall assistant Muhammad Iskandar Abdullah, the business found its rhythm in 2022 when they noticed a gap in the market for high-quality, oversized seafood that is usually reserved for expensive sit-down restaurants.
“Most customers are visibly surprised and in awe when they see the scale of the seafood on display, especially the giant cockles, which are a rare find at most Ramadan bazaars,” Iskandar told Bernama. “The jumbo cockles, grilled crabs, and stingray remain our bestsellers every day. Alhamdulillah, the response this year has been excellent.”
The logistics behind the stall are as impressive as the food itself. To maintain the “giant” status of their menu, the team sources specific items from as far as Sabah to ensure the cockles meet the 20-centimeter palm-sized requirement.
The menu is a diverse map of premium ocean offerings, with prices clearly displayed to manage expectations:
- The Crown Jewels: Alaskan King Crabs lead the premium tier at RM420, while lobsters range between RM80 and RM130.
- The Bestsellers: Giant 800-gram cockles are priced at RM35, with mud crabs available for RM200.
- Grilled Favorites: Freshly caught red snapper (RM70), pomfret (RM50), and sea bass (RM40) are grilled to order with a signature spicy-sweet sambal sauce.
With its proximity to the border, the stall naturally attracts a large number of Singaporean tourists looking for a weekend feast. This has led to some online criticism regarding “Singapore pricing,” with some locals finding the rates steep for a bazaar setting.
However, the team remains undeterred and transparent. Iskandar notes that they cannot control public opinion, but they can control the quality of their service. To build trust, the stall provides a comprehensive visual price board and maintains a strict satisfaction policy: if a customer encounters spoiled food, they can return with photographic proof for a full refund or a fresh replacement.
Despite the high-end prices, the operations are grounded in the communal values of the holy month. Cleanliness is a top priority, with a dedicated preparation area where all seafood is meticulously washed before being displayed.
Furthermore, the stall practices a “zero-waste” philosophy rooted in charity. While they usually sell out, any surplus food at the end of the night is not discarded. Instead, it is shared with fellow bazaar traders or given to the public after the breaking of the fast, ensuring that the spirit of giving remains at the heart of their success.
