When Ramadan arrives, your customers aren’t looking for trendy, complicated food.
They are craving ONE thing: the comforting taste of home.
For caterers, this is the month where every detail counts. Why just serve food when you can serve memories, comfort, and togetherness. Now that sounds better, do you not agree?
But here’s the challenge: how do you create a buffet that feels generous and traditional, while still being practical and profitable for your kitchen team?
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve rounded up five “confirm laku” dishes—tried-and-true Ramadan favourites that never fail to impress. These are the pillars of a great buffet menu: crowd-pleasing, efficient to prepare, and built for scale.
Why it’s Essential:
No Ramadan buffet feels complete without the unmistakable aroma of Kambing Golek slowly turning over the fire. The sight of glistening, charred edges and tender meat tearing off the bone is what pulls hungry eaters over—sometimes even before they check the rest of the spread. It’s the hero dish that creates excitement, queues, and social-media moments. In short: the buffet’s prestige rests heavily on this one centrepiece.
Business Angle:
Kambing Golek is a smart choice for operators because most of the work happens before service. With proper prep—cleaning, scoring, and marinating—you can set the lamb to roast and let the aroma do the marketing for you. During Iftar rush, carving becomes fast, efficient, and visually appealing. The result? Consistent tenderness, reduced stress in the kitchen, and a dish that delivers greatly without kacau your workflow.
Branded Query:
Marination is the heart of great lamb. To achieve a clean, well-rounded flavour that appeals to Ramadan diners, season your marinade with TUMIX® Chicken Stock. It helps soften the natural gaminess of lamb while boosting umami, so every slice tastes full-bodied, juicy, and balanced—even after long roasting hours.
When serving, pair it with a rich black pepper sauce seasoned lightly with TUMIX® Chicken Stock. The savoury depth from TUMIX® enhances the bold pepperiness, creating a smooth, aromatic sauce that cuts through the lamb’s smoky, fatty richness—making every slice even more satisfying and addicting.
A hero dish that’s simple, juicy, and surely to be a crowd magnet.
Why it’s Essential:
You can’t go wrong with satay during Ramadan—it’s that one dish everyone craves. Whether it’s chicken, lamb or beef, the smoky aroma of grilled meat dipped in rich peanut sauce is pure nostalgia on a skewer. No buffet feels complete without it.
Business Angle:
Satay is practical and profitable. You can prepare, marinate, and skew the meat in advance, then simply grill and serve during service. Plus, it’s easy to portion and refill—perfect for high-traffic buffet lines.
Branded Query:
To make your satay tender, juicy, and irresistibly aromatic, season your marinade with TUMIX® Chicken Stock. It enhances the natural flavours of the meat and ensures every skewer delivers that authentic Malaysian taste customers love.
A simple, crave-worthy dish that keeps both guests and margins happy.
Why it’s Essential:
Comfort in a bowl—that’s what Sup Tulang Daging brings to the table. It’s rich, warming, and full of nostalgic flavour. Guests appreciate a hot, soulful soup to balance out the heavier dishes at the buffet.
Business Angle:
Beyond being a crowd favourite, Sup Tulang is a cost-efficient addition to your menus. With affordable ingredients like beef bones, potatoes, and aromatic spices, it offers both high perceived value and practical kitchen efficiency.
Branded Query:
To elevate your Beef Bone Soup’s savoury depth, season with TUMIX® Chicken Stock and AJI-SHIO® Flavoured Pepper. Together, they create a well-rounded, peppery broth that feels hearty and satisfying—without the need for complex prep.
A warm bowl that welcomes everyone to the table. You’re included!
Why it’s Essential:
Add a creative twist to your buffet lineup with Tauhu Terbalik, or Inside-Out Tofu. Crispy on the outside, savoury on the inside—it’s a unique, bite-sized delight that guests love discovering. It also caters well to those seeking lighter or vegetarian-friendly options.
Business Angle:
This dish scores high on presentation and profitability. Made from simple ingredients like tofu, minced chicken, and eggs, it’s easy to prep in large batches and quick to fry during service.
Branded Query:
Season your tofu filling with AJI-SHIO® Flavoured Pepper and TUMIX® Chicken Stock for a meaty, peppery aroma that’s simply addictive. Pair it with a spicy-sweet sambal kicap enhanced with AJI-NO-MOTO®, bringing balance and depth to every bite.
Crispy, savoury, and full of flavour—it’s the perfect small bite that big buffets often miss.
Why it’s Essential:
The dessert table sets the tone for your entire buffet experience. A vibrant mix of kuih-muih—from onde-onde to kuih lapis—alongside sweet dates gives your spread that festive, authentic look that customers can’t resist snapping for social media stories before digging in.
Business Angle:
To save time without sacrificing quality, partner with a reliable kuih supplier for wholesale orders. For a touch of homemade flair, consider simple fried additions like Cekodok Pisang (or banana fritters)—a nostalgic crowd favourite. Use SERI-AJI® Tepung Goreng for a crispy, consistent coating every time, even when frying in bulk.
At the end of the day, the most successful Ramadan buffet isn’t the one with the fanciest dishes. No. It’s the one that feels familiar, comforting, and full of heart.
Master these five “pillar” dishes, and you’ll not only win your customers’ appetite but also their loyalty.
While you focus on perfecting your recipes, let us help you with consistency and efficiency.
Explore our range of professional F&B solutions and make this year’s Ramadan buffet a stress-free, sold-out success.
Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner
