KUALA LUMPUR – Bubur lambuk is a traditional dish synonymous with Ramadan. It is often 'hunted down' by Muslims throughout the country, as part of their breaking of fast menu.
The dish is made from several basic ingredients, such as onions and spices, including potato batter, carrots and meat. In some places, it is often the main choice because it is tasty and filling.
But, for Klang Valley folk, the bubur lambuk prepared by Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru has a special place in their hearts. It is a tasty dish that cannot be missed.
Thus, many fans of the dish were disappointed when the activity of cooking and distributing porridge at Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru could not be held during Ramadan 2020, following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) by the government due to Covid-19.
Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru chairman Datuk Mohd Khay Ibrahim said, since last year, his team, however, returned to hold the activity despite having to follow standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council (MKN).
“Last year, few volunteers came to help cook and distribute bubur lambuk because the community feared infection.
"However, alhamdulillah, we have received more than 30 volunteers this year to prepare 15 pots of bubur lambuk every day during Ramadan," he told Getaran here, early this morning.
According to him, the volunteers gathered at the mosque as early as 3am every day to start preparing for cooking, which takes place from 9am to 11 am.
“The process of cooking bubur lambuk using a traditional recipe that is over 100 years old is quite complicated, plus we cook in large quantities every day.
"After cooking, volunteers will pack the porridge into about 3,500 packets before distributing it for free to the public at the mosque after Asar prayers," he said.
Mohd Khay said the distribution was set through two methods, namely giving directly to the mosque congregation and driving past for those who work around the area.
He shared that sometimes volunteers will stop the bus that passes in front of the mosque to distribute some packages to drivers and passengers.
He said the management of the mosque intends to give the porridge to as many recipients as possible so that they can enjoy the delicious meal together when breaking fast.
"At the same time, we advise the public not to take more than two packets of the porridge each to enable more people to enjoy it," he said.
Commenting on the cooking process, Mohd Khay said, the mosque management used five to six tonnes of rice during Ramadan to prepare lambuk porridge with an estimated cost of RM350,000 per month.
"The cost of raw materials this year has increased between 15 to 25% due to the increase in the price of goods, so the allocation issued is also quite high," he said.
The allocation, he said, was donated by the community throughout the year to the mosque fund and then used again to give a 'return' to the public by producing the special food.
"The public should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the traditional porridge recipe of their ancestors while doing good deeds during Ramadan," he said. – The Vibes, April 4, 2022
* This article first appeared in The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister publication Getaran
