Barbecue and steak make the cut this Syawal

Tempting eh? The rib eye steak served with garden salad.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — The sight of beef rendang simmering in the wok, lemang lined up neatly over the fire, beef curry bubbling in the pot and women folding ketupat are all sights synonymous with Hari Raya. One might even say that it’s never a Raya without rendang or ketupat! But this Raya, don’t be surprised to find meat chargrilled to perfection served with salad and chips among the ketupat and rendang. In fact, Muslims have been breaking their fast at steak houses across town and not just at the usual Seri Melayu or local stalls. Barbecue cut meat has been selling like hot cakes at Las Vacas, a local deli in Mont Kiara. Those celebrating Hari Raya have been dropping by at the deli to get their hands on the best choice cuts. Las Vacas managing director Yusof Iskandar told The Malaysian Insider last week,”We sold two tonnes of meat in three days.”

Yusof Iskandar shows off his fresh rib eye neatly packed. “Moreover, the month of Ramadan was very busy for both my partner and me since people are beginning to choose to break their fast with steak,” he said. “I’ve received orders for roast lamb, roast beef and barbecue cut meats from my customers who will be celebrating Hari Raya,” he added. According to Yusof, his customers serve rendang, ketupat and the usual Malay dishes on the first day of Syawal while barbecued meat is served the following day.

Customers dining at the cosy deli.“Being a quick and easy option, barbequed meat is lighter than rice”, said Yusof who observed changes in consumption trend this Raya especially among city folks. Customers who go to Las Vacas have an option, they can get their beef or lamb roasted at the deli. They can even choose to take home the already marinated meat to grill or roast it at their convenience. “It only takes an hour to cook rendang with our beef. Leaving it beyond the time frame will cause the meat to fall apart,” said Yusof who imports beef from Australia and supplies it to hotels and restaurants around KL.