BY AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI
KUCHING: Kuih bongkol sellers are earning quite a good income this Ramadan.
In fact, fans of this traditional cake constantly seek it out, especially during Ramadan.
Although this cake is offered on regular days, according to Norhayati Shapie, who makes kuih bongkol, the majority of producers decide to prepare it during this holy month due to the high demand.
For 33-year-old Norhayati, she said that the income from the sales of the kuih bongkol was about RM700 per day.
“The kuih bongkol that we sell is fresh because we make it every day.
“We also use pure gula apong(palm sugar) in our kuih bongkol and do not add any additional sugar,” she told New Sarawak Tribune when met at Sarawak Stadium Ramadan Bazaar here.
She added the kuih bongkol are freshly made and not resold for the next day.
Since Biebot Kitchen started opening in 2020, she has been making and selling kuih bongkol for nearly four years now after inheriting the skill from her mother, Sabtuya.
“Kuih bongkol that I make is a family recipe that I learn from my mother.
“I also make kuih bongkol at the Biebot kitchen and selling it at the Ramadan Bazaar,” she said.
Norhayati sell her kuih bongkol for RM1.50 each.
“People can order kuih bongkol during and after Ramadan as we do not solely focus on selling it during Ramadan,” she revealed.
New Sarawak Tribune also recently interviewed Sanuyah Jaya, 36, at her home to have a first-hand experience on how she makes her special kuih bongkol, ‘Bongkol D’ Tupong’.
Sanuyah said at present she sells kuih bongkol daily except for Sunday as she will need to restock her banana leaves.
She added that kuih bongkol is made by mixing rice flour, coconut water, pandan water and salt.
“First, the banana leaves need to be steamed first to remove the stain of dirt and sand from the banana leaves.
“After that, the banana leaves will be folded and one scoop of gula apong will be put into the banana leaves.
“The mixture is then poured into the banana leaves and steamed for 15 to 20 minutes until it is fully cooked,” explained Sanuyah.
She also stated that the price of her kuih bongkol has gone up from RM1 to RM1.30 as the price of goods had gone up.
“I typically give the customer a small box containing six or twelve kuih bongkol when selling my kuih bongkol.
“I typically charges RM9 for six pieces of kuih bongkol and RM16 for twelve kuih bongkol as the price includes the box,” she added.
According to Sanuyah, her kuih bongkol receives an average of 900 orders per day during Ramadan.
She has created a more organised ordering process for her customers this year.
“In order to prevent confusion during the order process, the customer’s phone number and the number of boxes ordered would be written on the box,” she said.
