In Kelantan, a simple craving has turned into a booming business that now captures nationwide attention. A husband-and-wife team in Kota Bharu has managed to transform king crab, a delicacy usually reserved for fine dining, into a crowd-pulling roadside hit.
King Crab Jackpot
The business began with Mohamad Ikhmal Nur Hakim Mohamad Yusof, 30, trying to satisfy his wife, Nurul Al Fatonah Awang, 30, who had been craving king crab.
“To fulfil her wish, I bought some,” Ikhmal shared. “Then my wife suggested selling them at an affordable price so more people could enjoy seafood that usually costs hundreds of ringgit.”
With that idea, the couple priced each crab at RM85. On their very first day of selling, they moved 150 crabs in only 15 minutes, taking home over RM12,000.
From Home Deliveries to Long Queues
At first, the couple ran things from home, taking orders and sending them out. But the pace became too much. That’s when they set up a stall by the roadside.
Their decision coincided with a burst of TikTok and Facebook promotion, which propelled the stall into viral status. Clips of steaming crabs, happy faces, and never-ending queues turned the small stall in Lembah Sireh into a must-visit spot.
“Our stall opens at 4pm and has now become a daily destination,” Ikhmal said. “Some even travel from other states just to try it.”
King Crab Craze
For Nurul, it’s not only about affordability. She believes convenience and taste are key. Instead of selling raw seafood, the couple offers ready-to-eat crabs served hot, paired with two signature sauces: chilli and buttermilk.
“People prefer ready-to-eat seafood,” Nurul explained. “That’s why our crabs, served hot with sauce, are always in such high demand.”
The stall has even lured in buyers from far beyond Kelantan. One of them, Azlina Alawi, 42, came all the way from Ipoh to get her hands on the crabs.
“I came yesterday but couldn’t get any because they were sold out, so I came again today,” she said. “The price is very reasonable compared to what I usually pay, and it gives more people the chance to enjoy king crab.”
Her story echoes what many are saying online, where netizens call the stall a way of “bringing luxury seafood to everyday people.”
More Than Just Food
King crab is rarely accessible to the average Malaysian diner. Harvested in freezing waters in places like Alaska and Russia, the crabs are highly sought after for their size and sweet meat. Restaurants typically charge hundreds for a single serving.
By selling them at RM85 each, the couple has broken that barrier, offering something special and normally exclusive to a much wider crowd.
The couple admits supply is a challenge. Ikhmal insists on sourcing only fresh stock, which is costly and inconsistent in size. That’s why the daily quantity is limited.
From one craving to thousands of eager customers, the roadside stall has become a symbol of turning small ideas into big opportunities.
And as long as the crabs keep flying off the table within minutes, one truth remains: Malaysia’s love for food will always find exciting new expressions.
Source: here
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