It will be another four hours before her four children wake, partly by the fragrance of her mutton biryani and lontong.
Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre, in particular, was a hub of activity for preparations on Monday, with families pushing trolleys laden with fresh produce and spices that they have bought to usher in the festivities. "It's much better this year. 100 per cent. It feels much more like Hari Raya Puasa. We got a lot of orders from our customers months ago," he said.The lemang stall manned by Mr Jaafar Ahmad, 62, was also doing brisk business. With many queueing to buy tubes of the glutinous rice, those at the stall were splitting the bamboo stalks with a machete at a quick pace.