malaysiangGulai ayam cincang’, ‘nasi kukus’, ‘daging kerutuk’, ‘gulai kawah’ and ‘gulai darat’ are delectable Kelantan dishes that have found their way into the hearts of many Malaysians.
The unique taste of the dishes can be attributed to the spices used in the ingredients that have been sold for generations by traders particularly at Pasar Siti Khadijah, here.
One such trader is Sultan Kabeer Abdul Kader who owns Kedai Rempah Abe Kabie. The 65-year-old entrepreneur told Bernama that he took over the business that his father started in the 1960s at the old Kota Bharu Municipal Council market (Arked MPKB).
He said after his father passed away in 1985, he carried on his legacy at Pasar Siti Khadijah, adding that his third son, Muhd Firdaus, 31, is now assisting him to run the business.
Sultan Kabeer said currently Kedai Rempah Abe Kabie produces over 30 spices based on the recipes that he inherited from his late father.
“We produce various spices used in popular Kelantan dishes such as ‘gulai ayam cincang’, chicken and mutton kuzi and fried chicken for steamed rice (nasi kukus). We also offer spices to make ‘nasi khao mok’, ‘nasi mandy’, ‘nasi beriani’, grilled fish, ‘roti john’, kebab, gravy for ‘nasi dagang’ and ‘nasi daging utara’,” he said.
“…coriander seeds, cumin seeds, aniseed, black pepper, cinnamon and others are purchased from Penang and Kuala Lumpur. I mix the spices according to the types of dishes for the Kelantanese palate before sending them to be ground at a mill in the Kota Bharu area,” he said.
The father of four also advises customers on the best method to use the spices in their recipes to ensure that the dishes are perfectly cooked.
Meanwhile, according to Muhd Firdaus, they have more than 50 loyal customers who also include sellers of the popular breakfast food ‘nasi berlauk’ (rice with fish and gravy) in Kelantan in addition to wedding caterers and Kelantanese who are living in other states.
Muhd Firdaus said he is expanding the business using social media.
“Currently 90 per cent of our customers are buying directly from the store, the remaining 10 per cent submit their orders through WhatsApp and social media,” he added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
