ALOR GAJAH, Jan 1 (Bernama) — Being open only on Fridays and Sundays has not stopped the Ayam Percik Hutan Percha stop here from becoming a big hit among food enthusiasts in and outside Melaka.
Business owner Hassan Saad, 65, who has been running the operation for the past 15 years, said he was able to sell up to 300 piece of his ayam percik, or spicy roast chicken, a day, whenever he opens from 11 am till 7 pm.
He admits that his business is lucrative, even though he started it to supplement his income as a rubber tapper.
“It’s as if I’m doing it as a hobby….two times a week only. But alhamdulillah, I’m still open till today and we have regulars including dignitaries, who do stop by everytime they are in Melaka, including former prime minister, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“Previously, I would sell at the night market here but I can’t rely on just villagers as my customers. I used to take orders from Melaka and other places but now I can’t manage it anymore,” he told reporter after a state event with Melaka Unity, Information, Human Resource and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem here today.
Hassan said he runs his business from his home at Jalan Bunga Raya in Hutan Percha with the help of his wife, Rosnani Ali, 55, and two assistants, who still grill the chicken using charcoal.
He revealed that the uniqueness of his chicken came from its sauce and that he had bought the recipe from an acquaintance from Kelantan before adapting it to his taste, especially where the spiciness is concerned.
The challenge he currently faces is the rise in prices of items, including the ingredients used to make the sauce and fresh chicken.
“I still am trying not to raise my prices, currently set at RM3.50 a piece. The raw materials have increased, especially the sauce, but I don’t intend to profit so much, but honestly, you can’t make a fortune through this business,” he said, adding that he welcomed anyone who wished to really learn and buy his recipe for the chicken, especially those who really want to start their business or generate income.
Regular customer Farah Huda Sahiran, 26, from Batu Berendam here said she was not a fan of ayam percik but the special taste of the sauce and chicken converted her into a fan.
Farah said she had just come across the shop around two months back, but she has been back more than twice to get her regular fix.
“The ayam percik sauce is really good….there’s really great flavour and it’s spicy and most important, it’s not sweet. The chicken isn’t dry and the price is really value for your money,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ngwe, who is also Machap Jaya assemblyman, said Ayam Percik Hutan Percha would be marketed as an iconic village product and promoted with the assistance of the Melaka Tourism Promotion Division.
“Personally, the chicken has its own uniqueness in terms of taste, especially the sauce. Furthermore it’s cheap even with the rising prices of goods,” he said.
He added that they were also identifying other products made by Machap Jaya residents that could be introduced as village icons to attract tourists and add new tourism products in the state to help boost the income of operators.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency