Ex-soldier's durian delicacy selling like hot cakes

KUALA LUMPUR: When retired soldier Abd Malik Abd Hamid started selling kuih akok — a traditional delicacy from Kelantan and Terengganu — 15 years ago, his business faced many challenges. Some days ended with him having hundreds of unsold akok and barely any profit.

Last year, he introduced durian akok, adding a small amount of durian flesh into each piece as soon as the batter is half-cooked. The batter for making akok consists of a combination of flour, eggs, coconut milk, sugar and water.

Finding the taste unsatisfactory, Abd Malik, 64, who operates his business in Kampung Baru, improved the recipe two months ago by adding the pulp of an entire durian seed into each akok.

"My customers are certainly happier and more satisfied with my new version of durian akok,” he said.

In fact, his durian akok, sold at RM5 each, has become a hit and even gone viral on social media. His customers, including tourists, are flocking to his stall as they find his delicacy a unique treat.

Now that the durian season is in full swing, Abd Malik is using the flesh of "branded" species such as musang king, D24 and udang merah for his akok.

His speciality kuih is literally selling like hot cakes — each day, within just four hours of opening his stall, his entire stock of akok, made with the pulp of 100 premium durian seeds, is sold out.

Abd Malik said his choice of using premium durians for his akok was based on several factors, including the soft texture of the pulp, its golden yellow colour, and its non-watery consistency compared to the flesh of kampung durians.

Abd Malik, who is assisted by his wife Saniah Mohammed Salim, 40, also sells other types of akok such as pandan akok, savoury akok and palm sugar akok.

Asked how he managed to sustain his akok business in the capital city for nearly 15 years, he said it was due to his deep interest in the traditional kuih, which has been around for ages.

"Before moving to Kampung Baru, I sold akok in AU2 in Taman Keramat. My business had its ups and downs... sometimes, I would have no customers and would be left with hundreds of unsold akok and minimal profit.

"Even so, I never gave up this business. I was confident that one day, people would appreciate this traditional kuih, and I have achieved that today," added Abd Malik, who also works part-time as a security guard. – Bernama