'Krepek ngaku' a Chinese New Year snack of choice

KOTA BARU: With the approaching Chinese New Year celebration, "kerepek ngaku” or arrowhead chips are a snack of choice for the Chinese community.

The reason being that the arrowhead - a type of sweet potato - is only in season once a year, typically between December and February.

Trader Rohayu Wahidin, 35, said she really had her hands full meeting the demand for the chips from her customers who had been waiting for the arrowhead season.

"I came up with the idea of making arrowhead chips after watching videos on Youtube. It so happened that I went to a supermarket in Kota Bharu one day and saw the potato sold there, so I bought some to try to turn into crackers," said Rohayu.

"This arrowhead is seasonal, only once a year. That is why it is unique and many people do not know about it,” she said when met by Bernama at her house near Kampung Panji here.

Rohayu said that she has received more orders for it although the price was more expensive compared to other types of chips in the market

"The price of my arrowhead chips is reasonable, depending on the size of the containers, which is RM10 for the S size and weighing 80g, RM17 for the M size (130g) and RM34 for the L size (320 g),” said Rohayu, who added that the process to make arrowhead chips was just like making other potato chips.

"First is to skin the potato and then wash and then slice it thinly before deep frying it. For those who prefer the original taste, there is no need to sprinkle the chips with salt,” she added.

For this season alone, she has prepared more than 70kg of arrowhead chips.

The chips can be ordered online or through the cash on delivery method, she said as she expressed the hope to be able to expand her business with the assistance of the relevant agencies that could provide her with the necessary equipment like slicers and a kitchen set. - Bernama