Mak Siti's back this Ramadan with her 'kerang' and 'siput' [NSTTV]

NIBONG TEBAL: Mak Siti Seafood, located at Kampung Sungai Setar Kechil here, has been a popular hangout for the past 32 years during the fasting month, especially for those who love savouring an assortment of kerang (shellfish/mollusks) and siput (snails).

Every year, except for last year when the whole nation was placed under the Movement Control Order (MCO), Mak Siti Seafood would be packed with diners after Tarawih prayer until the wee hours of the morning.

Met by the New Straits Times at her eatery recently, Norhayati Hassan, 56, fondly known as "Mak Siti", said she offered up to 12 types of shellfish and snails in recent years, which included kerang (cockles), siput sudu (mussels), kepah (clams), siput duri (spiny sea snail), siput unam (sea snail) and siput bayam (bamboo mussels).

When she first started, she only offered about three types of shellfish and snails. After 10 years in business, the offerings increased to between six and seven types. Now, she offers a variety of 12 shellfish and snails.

"I don't know why but this seems to be only popular during the fasting month. I tried offering the kerang and siput at other times of the year but the demand is just not there.

"It is just nice to see people coming all the way here to enjoy their food. I also enjoy chatting with my customers," she said, adding that her kuah kacang (peanut gravy) has received praises from many of her customers.

From a humble store with only four tables when she first started, Norhayati's business has since expanded to 40 tables. Before the MCO last year, she used to employ about 36 workers, all of whom are from her village, to help her as well as to help them make money for the festive season.

Met by the New Straits Times at her eatery recently, Norhayati Hassan, 56, fondly known as "Mak Siti", said she offered up to 12 types of shellfish and snails in recent years, which included kerang (cockles), siput sudu (mussels), kepah (clams), siput duri (spiny sea snail), siput unam (sea snail) and siput bayam (bamboo mussels). - STR/DANIAL SAAD
Met by the New Straits Times at her eatery recently, Norhayati Hassan, 56, fondly known as "Mak Siti", said she offered up to 12 types of shellfish and snails in recent years, which included kerang (cockles), siput sudu (mussels), kepah (clams), siput duri (spiny sea snail), siput unam (sea snail) and siput bayam (bamboo mussels). - STR/DANIAL SAAD

She cooks the dishes personally.

Her customers came from as far as Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru back then.

This time around, Norhayati is only assisted by seven of her children and grandchildren as she is unsure of the situation with the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) still in place and the ban on interstate travel enforced.

Norhayati recalled how she threw away about RM80,000 worth of shellfish and snails last year due to the MCO as she had already placed her orders beforehand. She only managed to do business for a week before the country was placed under total lockdown.

"Prior to the MCO, I would order between 70kg and 100kg of each type of kerang and siput daily to meet customers' demands.

"This time around, I only order between 30kg and 50kg of each type of kerang and siput daily. I don't know what to expect as many of my customers are from outstation and they can't travel now. I don't want to end up suffering huge losses like last year.

"I will see how the situation goes in the next few days. If business picks up, I will increase the order," she added, noting that her stocks come fresh daily, mainly from Bagan Tiang and Pantai Remis.

This time around too, Norhayati will be offering take-away packages. For those wanting to break fast with her food, she opens for business as early as 6pm.

"For those wanting to dine in, they will be subjected to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) as set out by the government.

"We won't take chances when it concerns people's safety," she added.

For dine in Norhayati is offering three packages at RM30, RM50 and RM70 respectively. For RM30, diners will get to enjoy only selected kerang and siput while for RM50, between five or six types. As for the RM70 package, it will comprise all the kerang and siput available on that particular day.

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