Kampung panji: Arrowhead chips, locally known as 'kerepek ngaku', continue to be a sought-after snack for the Chinese community during the Lunar New Year, with demand now surging in Singapore and Brunei. Entrepreneur Rohayu Wahidin, 39, said the arrowhead tuber season occurs only once a year, from November until February, and during this window, she is kept busy fulfilling orders for the popular snack, with sales reaching nearly RM4,000 to date.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rohayu observed that the scarcity of arrowhead tubers, which are only available during this specific season, contributes to their high demand across various communities. The Kuantan-born entrepreneur was inspired to start producing the chips in 2020 after a friend shared the preparation process on Facebook. Upon sharing her own products on social media, she received an overwhelming response, despite the raw tubers costing between RM7 and RM9 per kilogramme.

"This season alone, I have produced about 45 kg of fried chips, which required 180 kg of raw tubers," Rohayu explained. "Demand has now reached Singapore and Brunei. We also sell through other platforms such as Shopee and TikTok," she added, mentioning a recent corporate order for 100 small jars.

Rohayu mentioned that most overseas customers are from the Chinese community, for whom the tuber is a traditional seasonal staple. However, it has also gained popularity among the Malay and Indian communities. The preparation process involves peeling, washing, thin-slicing, and frying the tubers in hot oil. The chips are then put through a machine to remove excess oil, ensuring they stay crisp and do not turn rancid before being packed into various sizes.

Besides the original flavor, Rohayu has introduced other varieties including spicy, cheese, and salted egg, with some customers requesting a saltier taste. Her products are available in three sizes: small (90 gm) priced at RM11 per jar, medium (160 gm) at RM19, and large (380 gm) at RM42.

One of the main challenges Rohayu faces is securing a steady supply of tubers, which are not available in all supermarkets and sometimes need to be sourced from other states like Pahang. "Demand usually multiplies as the festival approaches, forcing my assistants and me to work late into the night to ensure all orders are completed on schedule," she noted.