Siblings’ take on apam balik

Fitriyanti getting the apam balik snack ready for customers. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

TOOTHSOME buttery sweet apam balik, golden brown on the outside with crushed peanuts and creamed corn filling is simply hard to resist.With its crisp edges, this Malaysian street snack is ideal at teatime and is especially good to satiate hunger pangs.

The sweet and fragrant aroma of apam balik is the result of butter being caramelised as the local pancake cooks in metal pans.

One place where delightful apam balik can be found is Pasar Malam Jalan Mengkuang, which is held on Tuesdays off Jalan Teluk Pulai in Klang.

Siblings Fitriyanti Muhamad Firdaus, 20, and Rizki Muhamad Firdaus, 21, from Klang make apam balik and operate from a customised food van.

Most people in Klang are familiar with the yellow van named Apam Balik 4F.

“We use butter in our apam balik to bring out the flavour and we see customers coming back for more.

“People learn of our apam balik through word of mouth, ” said Fitriyanti.

“Rizki and I started the business about three and a half years ago.

“We experimented with the ingredients to enhance the taste of our apam balik and found that the right balance of creamed corn, sugar and keeping the mixed batter for a few hours as well as a touch of salt give that winning combination.

“Our customers love it, ” she added.

Rizki, who was busy dishing out pancakes from copper pans, said the pancake was not too sweet and creamed corn enhanced its taste.

Fitriyanti started the business with RM50,000 which included the cost for the customised van.

“Our father, Muhamad Firdaus Asri, supported us financially to give us a head start.

“His aim was to instil the spirit of entrepreneurship so we could be business owners.

“Our father always motivates us to be self-employed as the income is better based on the hours we put in, compared to being an employee with nominal wage increase.

“Being in business gives me great sense of satisfaction and fulfilment, ” she said.

Fitriyanti said most customers would order the apam balik special as it was filled with crushed peanuts, butter and creamed corn.

Its price of RM5 is another selling factor.

The siblings also serve the crispy apam balik with various toppings that include chocolate, cheese, Oreo cheese and even banana.