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Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time of joy, family gatherings, and of course, delicious food! As Malaysians celebrate the end of Ramadan, traditional dishes take center stage, bringing flavors that are rich in history and culture. If you’re preparing for this festive season, here are 10 must-have traditional Hari Raya dishes for 2025 that will make your celebrations truly special.
What Famous Food During Hari Raya?
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time for grand feasts, where families and friends gather to share delicious traditional dishes. The food served during Hari Raya reflects Malaysia’s diverse culinary heritage and is often rich in flavors, spices, and coconut-based sauces. The must-have dishes include rendang, ketupat, lemang, satay, lontong, bubur lambuk, dodol, serunding, sayur lodeh, and asam pedas. These dishes are typically enjoyed alongside a variety of kuih-muih (traditional Malay desserts), festive cookies, and refreshing drinks like bandung (rose syrup milk) and teh tarik.
Aside from home-cooked meals, many people also visit open houses, where an assortment of traditional Malay dishes, as well as modern fusion treats, are served. The festive spread is a symbol of hospitality and generosity, which are key values of Hari Raya celebrations.
Why Is Signature Hari Raya Dishes Important for Every House to have?
Food plays a crucial role in Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as it is a way to express gratitude, strengthen relationships, and preserve cultural traditions. After a month of fasting during Ramadan, Hari Raya is a time for joyful reunions and hearty meals shared with loved ones. Each dish holds historical and cultural significance, passed down through generations, and prepared with love.
For example, ketupat symbolizes unity and togetherness, while rendang represents patience and resilience due to its long cooking process. Traditional sweets like dodol and serunding are often exchanged as gifts, fostering a sense of community and appreciation.
Beyond its cultural importance, Hari Raya food also showcases Malaysia’s rich culinary diversity, blending influences from Malay, Indonesian, and other regional cuisines. The flavors and aromas of these festive dishes create lasting memories, making Hari Raya a celebration not just of faith, but also of family, tradition, and togetherness.
Top 10 Traditional Hari Raya Dishes 2025 You Must Have
1. Rendang – The King of Hari Raya Dishes
(Source: Chriss)
Rendang is an all-time favorite during Hari Raya. This slow-cooked meat dish, typically made with beef or chicken, is infused with coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and a blend of spices. The result is a rich, flavorful, and tender dish that pairs beautifully with ketupat or lemang. Originating from Minangkabau cuisine, rendang has gained popularity across Southeast Asia and is often considered a dish of celebration and festivity.
2. Ketupat – The Classic Rice Cake
(Source: N l ko在馬來西亞)
Ketupat is a type of compressed rice cake wrapped in woven palm leaves. It is a staple dish that symbolizes unity and tradition during Hari Raya. Usually served with rendang, satay, or kuah kacang (peanut sauce), ketupat adds a delightful texture to the festive meal. Its woven palm casing is both decorative and functional, helping to maintain the rice’s moisture while infusing a subtle earthy aroma.
3. Lemang – Smoky Bamboo Rice
(Source:小桂園)
Lemang is made from glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk and cooked inside a hollow bamboo lined with banana leaves. The slow cooking process over an open fire gives lemang its distinct smoky flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to rendang or serunding. Lemang is often prepared in large batches, requiring patience and skill to ensure the rice is cooked evenly inside the bamboo.
4. Satay – The Flavorful Skewers
(Source: 愛幻想的小玉)
Satay consists of marinated, skewered, and grilled meat, often served with peanut sauce, nasi impit (compressed rice), and fresh cucumber. This dish is a crowd favorite at open houses and is enjoyed by both young and old alike. The marination process, which involves turmeric and other fragrant spices, is key to achieving satay’s signature aroma and taste.
5. Lontong – Coconut Curry Delight
Lontong is a popular dish made from compressed rice cakes served in a flavorful coconut-based vegetable stew. Ingredients like cabbage, long beans, tofu, and tempeh are simmered in a fragrant turmeric-infused broth, making lontong a comforting and satisfying meal. Often enjoyed during breakfast or as a side dish, lontong’s mild yet savory flavor pairs well with spicier dishes.
6. Bubur Lambuk – A Hearty Rice Porridge
Bubur Lambuk is a special rice porridge prepared with meat, coconut milk, and a blend of aromatic spices. It is traditionally served during Ramadan but is also enjoyed during Hari Raya as a warm and nourishing dish. The unique mix of spices such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon elevates its flavor, making it a festive favorite.
7. Dodol – The Sticky Sweet Treat
(Source: 馬六甲三叔公)
Dodol is a chewy, toffee-like dessert made from coconut milk, palm sugar, and rice flour. Its rich, caramelized flavor makes it a sought-after treat during Hari Raya. Dodol comes in various flavors, including durian, pandan, and gula Melaka. The labor-intensive process of stirring the mixture continuously over low heat for hours results in its distinctive sticky texture.
8. Serunding – Spiced Meat Floss
Serunding is a flavorful meat floss made from shredded beef, chicken, or fish cooked with a mix of spices and coconut milk until dry. This versatile dish is often enjoyed with ketupat, lemang, or even on its own as a snack. Due to its long shelf life, serunding is also a popular food gift exchanged among families and friends during Hari Raya.
9. Sayur Lodeh – A Creamy Vegetable Curry
Sayur Lodeh is a mildly spicy and creamy vegetable curry made with coconut milk, carrots, cabbage, and green beans. This dish is often served with lontong and is a staple at Hari Raya feasts. The combination of vegetables and rich coconut broth makes it both nutritious and flavorful, offering a perfect balance to heavier meat dishes.
10. Asam Pedas – The Tangy and Spicy Fish Stew
(Source: Nice Foods)
Asam Pedas is a mouthwatering fish stew made with tamarind juice, chili paste, and a variety of spices. The tangy and spicy flavors make this dish a refreshing addition to the rich and savory Hari Raya spread. Traditionally prepared with fish like stingray or mackerel, Asam Pedas is enjoyed with hot steamed rice and sometimes even pickled vegetables.
Final Thoughts: A Raya Feast to Remember
These 10 traditional Hari Raya dishes are a must-have for your festive celebrations in 2025. Each dish carries a deep cultural significance and brings families together over a shared love for good food. Whether you’re hosting an open house or enjoying a meal with loved ones, these dishes will add a touch of tradition and deliciousness to your Hari Raya feast.
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