Surdi with his kuih pau during the festival in Tanjung Malim. — Bernama
A TRADITIONAL steamed bun with various types of filling holds special significance for the people of Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Kuih pau is a famous tourism product and has been featured in the Perak tourism calendar for the past seven years.
The two-day Pau X Muallim Recreation Festival was organised to showcase the uniqueness of kuih pau, which has been part of the district’s food heritage since 1926.
“Tanjong Malim is synonymous with the production and commercialisation of kuih pau, earning the nickname ‘Pau Town’, said Tanjung Malim District Council (MDTM) president Mohd Ikram Ahmad.
“The pau festival was an excellent platform to promote Muallim as a unique gastronomic tourism destination,” Mohd Ikram told Bernama during the festival’s opening by Behrang assemblyman Salina Samsudin at Persisiran Sungai Bernam.
Pau entrepreneur Surdi Maris was one of those featured at the festival.
He has been selling kuih pau in Tanjung Malim since 1986 and still prepares the dough by hand.
“I use wheat flour and make the pau filling myself. I sell more than 100 pieces of kuih pau daily, more on weekends.
Surdi sells kuih pau on his motorcycle in Jalan Besar.
His pau comes with five fillings namely chicken curry, beef curry, black beans, kaya and coconut.
Salina said this year’s festival focused on the relaxing experiences that visitors could enjoy, thanks to its location at the banks of Sungai Bernam.
“Visitors enjoyed kuih pau and coffee in a natural environment,” she said.
Activities like Pauboy Hunt, Pau Weight Guess Competition, Pau Flash Sale, Spicy Pau Challenge and pau-making demos were held during the festival.
