With all the hype and buzz surrounding the upcoming Hari Raya festival, it’s no doubt that one of the most anticipated aspects of Hari Raya is the snacks. Businesses of all sizes receive tons of orders for ready-made snacks and goodies for gifting. Families and friends even spend hours preparing a variety of traditional Raya snacks and sweets to share with their loved ones.
Ultimately, these snacks are more than just food – they’re a symbol of togetherness, generosity, and love. It’s a time for families to come together to celebrate Hari Raya, exchange gifts, and indulge in an abundance of food and sweets. Sharing an array of kuih muih for Hari Raya is one of the best ways to enjoy the festive season!
Traditional Hari Raya snacks come in an array of flavours, textures, and colours that will tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving more. Let’s talk about some popular Hari Raya snacks that you can indulge in for the upcoming festive season!
Ketupat
Ketupat is a traditional Malay rice cake that is typically made by boiling rice that has been wrapped in woven palm leaves. The result is a compressed, diamond-shaped cake that has a distinctive texture and flavour.
It’s a super versatile snack that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Eat it on its own, or as a side dish to accompany a larger meal. Pair spicy curry or rendang with it, or even sweet dates and jam.
But the most significant part about this snack is that families and friends will gather together to prepare the rice and weave the palm leaves. It creates a sense of togetherness and bonding that perfectly fits the overall spirit of Hari Raya!
Pineapple Tarts
Also known as kueh tarts, these beloved snacks are small, bite-sized tarts filled with sweet pineapple jam. They’re the perfect combination of crumbly pastry and sweet jam, and have a delightful texture!
Pineapple tarts are an overall popular snack in Southeast Asia, and carry a lot of cultural significance. Similar to Chinese New Year, people believe that eating pineapple tarts during the Hari Raya season can bring good luck and fortune to the family.
They’re also common as gifts, as family and friends will bring tubs of these buttery bites to visit! Enjoy them with coffee or tea, and try your best to not finish the entire jar in one sitting.
Dodol
This is a traditional sweet treat that’s popular especially with the children! It’s a sticky, chewy confection made from coconut milk, palm sugar, and rice flour that is cooked over low heat until it forms a thick, caramel-like consistency. The combination of coconut milk and palm sugar gives it a creamy, sweet taste, while the sticky, chewy texture makes it a satisfying snack to munch on.
Dodol is interesting because while it takes less than a minute to devour, it takes hours to produce over a wood fire. It requires constant stirring and attention to prevent burning, and takes even longer to cool and set.
Many families have their own unique recipe for dodol, passed down through generations, making it a cherished part of their cultural heritage. Nowadays, it’s common to find dodol flavours like pandan, durian, chocolate and more as well!
Kuih Bangkit
A crowd-favourite cookie! Kuih bangkit is a small, delicate cookie that’s made from tapioca flour, coconut milk, and sugar. It has a unique texture that is crunchy on the outside but melts as a rich, buttery flavour in your mouth. This sweet and nutty cookie is enjoyed by adults and children alike, and is very popular for Hari Raya.
In Malaysia and Singapore, kuih bangkit is considered a symbol of purity and renewal. It is believed that by eating these white cookies, it will cleanse oneself of any impurities and bring a fresh start for the upcoming year!
Shop For Hari Raya Snacks with Simply Hamper SG
Our Hari Raya 2023 exclusives are here, and they’re extra special this year! From budget Hari Raya goodies such as our Eid Mubarak or Captivating Moonrise hampers, to grand gifts such as our Rising Star hamper, we have them all.
We’re the #1 online store for all your halal hamper needs this year! If you’re looking for a special Hari Raya hamper in 2023, order yours at Simply Hamper today!