PAIS, SUMAN LEMANTAK, SAVOURY AFTERNOON TREATS LOVED BY MANY

• Published date: 07 April 2024
• Author: ROZLIN RUSHARMEEN ROSMIN
• Publication title: Bernama: The Malaysian National News Agency (Malaysia)

Pais and suman lemantak are grilled seafood (fish, squid, and prawns) wrapped in nipah leaves, locally known as apong leaves

According to the owner of Pais Mak Dara Kampung Buntal, Nur Hedayah Fani, pais is seafood marinated in spices and suman lemantak is mixed with grated coconut and lemantak (sago flour).

"We offer more than 10 types of pais and suman lemantak made using my mother's recipe with fresh ingredients purchased from Kampung Buntal Market.

"The preparation takes time because the dish needs to be wrapped one by one…it begins at midnight up until 3 am marinating and sauteing and continues at 9 am to be grilled before we sell it so the food stays fresh," she told Bernama recently.

The 27-year-old Kampung Buntal native said she started to help her mother sell pais and suman lemantak when she was six, assisting her on weekends from 10 am until 6 pm.

Located nearly 30 kilometres from Kuching, Kampung Buntal is a well-known fishing village with abundant fresh seafood supplies. It is said that pais and suman lemantak were fishermen's main staples before they went to sea.

Pais Mak Dara Kampung Buntal has amassed a large customer base over five decades, enabling it to sell over 600 pieces...