Johor couple reinvents ‘kuih bakar' with durian, beef and sardine — and Singaporeans can't get enough
According to Shahrilnizam Mohamed, 54, based on the original kuih bakar recipe of his mother, he and his wife, Mahanum Abdul Rahman, 52, allowed themselves to reimagine the traditional cake with contemporary tastes.
'We want to change the perception that kuih bakar is only meant to be sweet. It can also be savoury and come in a variety of flavours... The idea to create sardine-flavoured kuih bakar was inspired by both my wife and me, as we enjoy sardine dishes,' said Shahrilnizam when met by Bernama at his outlet in Larkin Sentral here today.
'Kuih bakar' made using Shahrilnizam Mohamed's late mother's original recipe, reimagined with modern flavours by him and his wife, Mahanum Abdul Rahman. — Bernama pic
The couple began their business in December last year with a capital of RM70,000, and now offer five flavour variations, ranging from classic pandan (RM8) to premium durian (RM15).
Shahrilnizam said this unique kuih bakar, which takes between 45 minutes and one hour to bake, is a hit with Singaporean customers, many of whom are willing to wait for long periods to take home their favourite flavours, particularly durian and sardine.
During the holiday season, sales can reach up to 450 pieces a day, compared to an average of 200 on regular days, indicating how innovation can elevate this traditional Malaysian delicacy to unexpected heights.
Mahanum Abdul Rahman, 52, prepares 'kuih bakar' for sale at Larkin Sentral, Johor Bahru. — Bernama pic
Meanwhile, Singaporean Siti Kamalaila Zulkeplie, 54, described the kuih bakar as a 'must-buy' treat whenever she and her family travel to Malaysia on weekends.
'Whenever we come here (Larkin Sentral), it's a definite purchase for our family. Usually, kuih bakar only comes in pandan or corn flavour, so these unique variations like beef and sardine are truly different and they taste really good,' she added. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
13MP preparation highlights Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers' meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: The preparation of the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP) took center stage at the 146th Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers' meeting in Putrajaya. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar confirmed the discussions in a Facebook post, noting that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chaired the session. The meeting also reviewed the progress of development projects and examined land ownership concerns across states. 'This marks the second meeting for this year, and the 146th overall,' Shamsul Azri stated. He reiterated his commitment to conducting surprise inspections and on-the-ground visits to ensure effective implementation of government programmes. These efforts align with broader civil service reforms aimed at improving governance and project execution. The 13MP, set to be tabled in Parliament on July 31, is expected to address key economic challenges. Prime Minister Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, described the plan as crucial for tackling developmental gaps, fiscal constraints, and sluggish economic transformation. - Bernama
The Star
40 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysia-New Zealand trade set to rise by 50% in next five years, says Zahid
AUCKLAND: Trade between Malaysia and New Zealand is expected to increase by 50% in the next five years, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said forging closer bi-lateral and trade ties with New Zealand is more crucial now in light of the changing global landscape. "Our shared target, to increase Malaysia-New Zealand trade by 50% by 2030 is not only achievable but necessary in a world where regional resilience matters more than ever," he said during the Asean–New Zealand Business Council Engagement session here on Monday (July 14). He noted that trade agreements such as the Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) and Asean, Australia, New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) served as a catalyst for boosting trade between the two nations. "In 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and New Zealand reached RM10.72bil (US$2.34bil), making Malaysia New Zealand's second-largest trade partner within Asean. "These numbers aren't just statistics, they reflect confidence, connectivity and commitment between our economies," he said. He added that the MNZFTA had also enabled 99.8% of New Zealand exports to enter Malaysia duty-free. He said that AANZFTA had also driven up exports to Asean by nearly 60% since 2010. "The AANZFTA is working well and should continue to be strengthened. "Malaysia has also doubled its usage of AANZFTA benefits, increasing from RM5.8bil in 2016 to RM12.9bil in 2023," he added. With the recent upgrade to AANZFTA and the momentum created through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Ahmad Zahid said that both nations are better positioned to build a fair, modern and sustainable trade architecture. AANZFTA is a trade agreement between Asean member states, Australia and New Zealand, which came into force in 2010. The upgrade of AANZFTA came into force on April 21 this year to further reduce export barriers while boosting trade in the region. Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia is looking at three key areas to deepen trade collaboration between the two nations. These areas, he added, were sustainability, digital transformation, and food security. "New Zealand, with 87% of its electricity sourced from renewables, is a leader in green transition. "This aligns closely with Malaysia's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. "There is vast space for cooperation in clean energy, carbon markets, and low-carbon technology," he said. On Malaysia's side, Ahmad Zahid said the nation's MyDigital agenda complements New Zealand's strengths in information and communications technology (ICT), offering opportunities for joint ventures in AI, smart cities, cybersecurity, and digital trade governance. "The agri-food sector also offers enormous potential. "As Asean's middle class grows and consumption patterns shift, New Zealand's reputation for quality, traceability, and innovation fits well with Malaysia's strengths in halal certification and regional logistics," he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, noted that it was crucial that the economic partnership between Malaysia and New Zealand continue to be grounded in human connection. "Thousands of Malaysian students have studied in New Zealand and tourism between our nations continues to thrive. "These exchanges are not just heartwarming, they are the glue that holds economic ties together, builds trust and creates long-term understanding," he added. On economic growth between New Zealand and Asean, Ahmad Zahid said it must include the micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure they are not left behind. To achieve this, he said it must entail improving access to trade finance, digital tools, and capacity building between Asean member states and New Zealand.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's wholesale, retail trade up 4.4pc in May to RM154.3b, says DOSM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 — Malaysia's wholesale and retail trade registered a total sales of RM154.3 billion in May 2025, reflecting a 4.4 per cent growth year-on-year (y-o-y), according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). In a statement today, its chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the growth was primarily supported by the performance of the retail and wholesale trade sub-sectors. 'The retail trade sub-sector registered RM67.1 billion in sales, an increase of RM3.1 billion or 4.9 per cent y-o-y. 'The wholesale trade sub-sector recorded RM68.2 billion, up RM3.1 billion or 4.7 per cent y-o-y, reflecting steady business activity across supply chains,' he said. May's online retail sales showed an increase, with the index rising by 2.2 per cent y-o-y, he said. 'However, after seasonal adjustment, the index recorded a month-on-month decline of negative 3.4 per cent,' he said. In terms of volume index, he said wholesale and retail trade posted a higher y-o-y increase at 4.1 per cent, driven by the wholesale trade sub-sector, which rose by 5.8 per cent, followed by retail trade with a 3.7 per cent increase. Complementing the trade growth, Mohd Uzir said Malaysia's digital payment transactions recorded a strong y-o-y gain in May 2025. 'E-money transactions surged by 70.2 per cent y-o-y to RM21.5 billion, reflecting heightened adoption of digital payments. 'Real-time retail payments platform transactions amounted to RM289.4 billion, underscoring the growing demand for instantaneous payment solutions. 'Meanwhile, financial process exchange transactions expanded by 21.1 per cent to RM39.2 billion, driven by increased online banking activity,' he said. The chief statistician said credit card usage remained stable at RM18.7 billion, while debit card transactions registered an eight per cent growth to RM14.1 billion. 'Collectively, these trends highlight the sustained expansion of digital payment channels, in line with evolving consumer preferences and the broader digitalisation of Malaysia's payment infrastructure,' he added. — Bernama
