A traditional kuih entrepreneur from Kampung Chalil, Gua Musang, near here, has been earning a good income from the sales of her innovative ‘akok ikan’ for the past two years.

Zaharah Mohd Nor, 43, said after receiving the support of the Kelantan Fisheries Department, she created a twist to the traditional akok kuih that is popular in the the East Coast, especially Kelantan.

“I have been having my akok business in front of my house for the past five years. About two years ago, a representative of the state Fisheries Department proposed I start something innovative such as a fish-based akok.

“A visit (by the department) was held through the myKomuniti Perikanan programme or known as myKP. As a member of myKP, I was guided by the Fisheries Department for two years to produce akok ikan as well received assistance including akok-making equipment worth almost RM10,000,” she said.

Zaharah said this when interviewed by reporters at the 2023 East Zone myAgropreneur Perikanan (myAP) and myKOMUNITI Perikanan (myKP) Entrepreneurs Carnival programme at Dataran Bahtera Tok Bali, here yesterday.

Zaharah admits that at the beginning she faced failure including not producing the perfect (akok) mixture.

Elaborating further, the mother of three said, after several attempts she now produces nearly 6,000 pieces of akok ikan in a month depending on orders from around Gua Musang and Kuala Krai in addition placing the food at the myKP sales centres.

According to Zaharah, she makes 300 pieces of akok ikan per day, and needs about 10 kilogrammes of ‘ikan selayang’ to produce her own serunding (fish) for the mixture.

“Making the serunding to be included in this akok mixture is very important. One needs to make sure the fish used is fresh as otherwise it will invite an unpleasant taste including a fishy smell which will ruin it for customers,” she said.

“It has to be cooked over a long period, approximately five hours, to ensure ingredients are evenly distributed and that they are completely dry. The serunding will be added to the mixture before it (mixture) is baked,” she also said.

Zaharah, who sells the akok ikan at RM1 a piece, said she did not expect her akok ikan to be a hit and she now has a regular clientele.

“Although it took awhile for the akok ikan to be accepted by people but once customers tasted it, they started coming back for more,” added Zaharah, who runs her business with her husband Husin Muhammad, 44.

One of Zaharah’s customers, Rahman Awang Nur, 53, said he was tempted to buy the akok ikan from her as he had never heard of it and wanted to taste it.

“I bought about six packs of akok ikan to share with the family. It tasted really good, besides it is also unique considering I have never found it anywhere else even though I am a native of this state,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency