Hari Raya Aidilfitri is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Singapore, and for many families, hosting an open house is a deeply meaningful tradition. Whether you’re expecting 20 guests or 200, getting the food right sets the tone for the entire gathering. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about catering for Hari Raya in Singapore — formats, quantities, timing, and what to look for in a halal caterer.
Cooking for a Hari Raya open house is a labour of love — but it’s also exhausting. Between Raya preparations, visiting relatives, and receiving guests in waves throughout the day, spending hours in the kitchen isn’t always practical. A good catering order means you can focus on your guests instead of your stove.
Catering also ensures consistency. Every dish is freshly prepared by professional kitchen teams, portioned correctly, and delivered ready to serve — so your spread looks and tastes the same for your first guest as it does for your last.
Mini buffet (10–50 guests)
For smaller open houses, a mini buffet is the most practical option. Food arrives in sealed foil trays, ready to place on your dining table or buffet counter. No setup, no warmers, no fuss — just open and serve. Prices start from $16/pax, with a minimum order of 10 pax.
Full buffet (30–200+ guests)
For larger open houses with guests arriving throughout the day, a full buffet setup with warmers and chafing dishes is a better fit. Food stays warm for longer, the presentation is more formal, and the caterer handles setup and teardown. Ideal for families expecting guests in multiple waves across the day. Prices start from $16/pax with a minimum of 30 pax.
Meal boxes (10+ guests, seated format)
If your open house is more of a sit-down gathering than a buffet-style affair, individually packed gourmet meal boxes are a clean, hygienic option. Guests each receive their own portion — no sharing, no queue. From $12.80/set.
A classic Hari Raya spread typically includes a mix of rice, meat, and vegetable dishes that can be enjoyed across multiple servings throughout the day. Popular choices for catering orders include:
When ordering from a caterer, confirm that all dishes are prepared in a MUIS halal-certified kitchen so every guest — regardless of dietary observance — can eat with confidence.
One of the most common questions is how much to order. The challenge with open houses is that guests come and go throughout the day rather than all at once, making it harder to estimate portions.
A practical rule of thumb:
When in doubt, it’s better to have slightly more than to run short mid-afternoon.
Demand for halal catering spikes significantly in the weeks leading up to Hari Raya. Most reputable caterers fill up 2–4 weeks before the celebration date. To avoid disappointment:
Avoid leaving it to the last week — delivery windows fill up fast, and late orders often mean limited menu options.
Not all caterers are equal. When choosing a halal caterer for your open house, look for:
Charlie’s Catering is a MUIS halal-certified caterer in Singapore, led by hotel-trained chefs with over 20 years of experience at Raffles Hotel, Sheraton Towers, and Resorts World Sentosa. All menus are freshly prepared daily, delivered islandwide, and available from 10 pax.
Browse our full catering menu or get a custom quote for your Hari Raya open house. We respond within 24 hours.
