Top 5 Traditional Hari Raya Recipes You Must Try This Hari Raya 2025

Hari Raya Puasa, or Eid al-Fitr, is a time for family, celebration, and of course, delicious food!

After a month of fasting and reflection during Ramadan, this festive occasion brings everyone together to enjoy a spread of savory and sweet dishes.

Kitchens are filled with the delightful aromas of traditional meals that make the celebration even more memorable.

As you prepare for this joyous season, we’ve put together a list of must-try Hari Raya foods that will make your meal extra special.

From rich, flavorful dishes to irresistible sweet treats, these foods bring loved ones together and add to the festive spirit.

Which dish are you most excited to enjoy this Hari Raya?

Beef Rendang: A Melt-In-Your-Mouth Timeless Delicacy

Beef Rendang is a rich curry known for its bold flavors and tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.

Unlike typical curries, it’s a “dry” curry, meaning the beef isn’t swimming in sauce.

However, the tender beef absorbs the thick, aromatic curry, blending perfectly with the rice for a satisfying, flavorful experience.

While it can be made in a slow cooker, cooking it on the stove yields the best results, bringing out its deep, savory richness.

Spice Paste Ingredients

1. 12 dried chilies (rehydrated in boiling water) or 12 large fresh chilies
2. 1 small onion, finely chopped
3. 5 cloves garlic, minced
4. 3 lemongrass stalks (white part only), sliced
5. 1 1/2 tbsp fresh galangal, finely chopped
6. 1 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
7. 2 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)

Curry Ingredients

1. 2 lb (1 kg) chuck steak (or slow-cooking beef), cut into 4 cm cube
2. 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
3. 1 cinnamon stick
4. 1/4 tsp clove powder
5. 3 star anise
6. 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
7. 1 lemongrass stick (bottom half, smashed)
8. 400ml (14 oz) coconut milk (1 can)
9. 2 tsp tamarind puree or paste (or tamarind pulp soaked in 1 tbsp hot water, seeds removed)
10. 4 large kaffir lime leaves (or 6 small), finely sliced
11. 1/3 cup desiccated coconut (finely shredded)
12. 1 tbsp brown sugar or grated palm sugar
13. 1 1/2 tsp salt

Ketupat: Traditional Malay Rice Cake For Hari Raya

During Ramadan and Eid, ketupat decorations can be spotted in malls and offices, adding a festive touch to the celebrations.

But beyond its decorative role, ketupat is also a cherished Raya dish with deep cultural significance.

This traditional rice cake is made by wrapping glutinous rice in intricately woven palm or coconut leaves, then boiling it to perfection.

Simple yet satisfying, ketupat is a staple at Hari Raya feasts, embodying unity, gratitude, and prosperity.

Its distinctive diamond shape is a symbol of blessings and good fortune, making it a truly meaningful dish during this special time.

Ingredients

1. Young coconut or pandan leaves
2. 1 1/2 kg rice or glutinous rice
3. 2-3 tbsp salt (optional)
4. Water

Satay: A Delicious Skewer Of Grilled Perfection

Source: Hungry Pepper

In Singapore, satay is a beloved hawker dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious.

Whether served as a full meal with grilled meat, rice cakes, cucumbers, onions, and a rich peanut sauce, or simply as skewered meat, satay is a go-to favorite for both everyday meals and festive occasions like Hari Raya.

To create this mouthwatering dish, tender chunks of beef, chicken, or lamb are marinated in a fragrant blend of spices like turmeric and garlic before being grilled to smoky perfection over charcoal.

Satay Ingredients

1. 3 tbsp oil
2. 2 stalks lemongrass (sliced, plus 1 for basting)
3. 2 cloves garlic
4. 6 shallots
5. 2 tsp turmeric powder
6. 1 tsp coriander powder
7. 1 tsp chili powder (optional)
8. 1 tsp salt
9. 2 tbsp honey
10. 1-2 tbsp water
11. Boneless chicken thighs, sliced
12. Bamboo skewers (soaked for 2 hrs)

Peanut Sauce Ingredients

1. Peanut: 1 cup, skinless
2. Dried red chillies (optional): 8, soaked in water
3. Garlic: 3 cloves
4. Shallots: 4
5. Lemongrass: 1 stalk (top white part only) + 1 stalk for frying sauce with
6. Galangal: 1/2″ slice
7. Water: 1 – 2 tbsp + 1 cup
8. Oil: 1/3 cup
9. Tamarind juice: 1/4 cup hot water + 1 heap tbsp tamarind pulp; soaked 15 min, juice extracted
10. Salt: 1/2 tsp
11. Palm sugar: 2.5 tbsp
12. Coriander powder: 1 tsp
13. Kecap manis: 1 tbsp

Lemang: Glutinous Rice Cooked In Coconut Milk

Source: Gigsmore

Lemang is a cherished Hari Raya delicacy enjoyed by many during festive gatherings, often served alongside rendang or sambal goreng.

This traditional dish is made by cooking glutinous rice with coconut milk inside bamboo tubes, which are lined with banana leaves to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.

Slowly roasted over an open flame for several hours, lemang develops a rich, smoky aroma and a delightfully soft texture, making it a must-have treat in many households during the celebrations.

Ingredients

1. 500g glutinous rice
2. 4 cups coconut milk
3. 1 pandan leaf
4. 1 large bamboo stick
5. 2-3 banana leaves
6. Pinch of salt

Sayur Lodeh: A Creamy, Flavorful Vegetable Delight

For those craving a lighter alternative to meat-heavy dishes like rendang and satay, Sayur Lodeh is a perfect choice.

This hearty yet vegetarian-friendly dish features a medley of vegetables, green beans, long beans, cabbage, carrots, and tofu, simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth infused with turmeric, galangal, garlic, and shallots.

Often paired with ketupat and hard-boiled eggs, Sayur Lodeh balances its creamy richness with these delicious accompaniments, making it a comforting and satisfying addition to any meal.

Ingredients

1. 500g lontong (compressed rice cake)
2. 400g firm bean curd (tau kwa)
3. 80g tempeh
4. 200g cabbage (large chunks)
5. 5 long beans (5cm pieces)
6. 200g yam bean (5cm sticks)
7. 1 carrot (5cm sticks)
8. 20g tanghoon
9. 50g beancurd sticks
10. 1L coconut milk
11. 2 lemongrass (bruised)
12. 1½ tsp salt (to taste)
13. ½ tsp sugar (to taste)
14. 2 tbsp oil + oil for deep frying

Spice Paste

1. 4 dried chilies (soaked)
2. 120g shallots
3. 4 garlic cloves
4. 2 candlenuts
5. 2 lemongrass stalks
6. 30g turmeric
7. 10g galangal
8. 40g dried shrimp
9. 1 tsp toasted belacan
10. 50ml oil

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