FORMER SOLDIER’S STEEL DRUM LEMANG TAKES RAMADAN BY STORM

PASIR PUTEH, March 27 (Bernama) -- An innovative twist on cooking lemang in steel drum barrels has brought success to a former soldier, who has secured 7,000 orders since last week, with demand extending until the first day of Syawal.

Jeffrey Abdullah, 44, said his steel drum-cooked lemang, available near the Padang Pak Amat Mosque, has been a crowd favourite every Aidilfitri.

“I started making steel drum-cooked lemang while serving in the military in 2000.

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During the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020, I began selling it in Kampung Pak Badol, Mahligai, Bachok. Since then, more and more customers have discovered my product,” he told reporters.

Jeffrey said his steel drum-cooked lemang was unique due to its distinct aroma, produced by wild banana leaves and bamboo from Jeli.

He added that the lemang was made using only three basic ingredients, namely glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt.

“A single steel drum can cook about 30 to 32 lemang in just 20 to 30 minutes. After that, we smoke it with charcoal to ensure it cooks evenly,” said Jeffrey, who operates the business with his wife, Nur Sabrina Zakaria, 41, and 17 workers.

He explained that this technique not only saved time but also ensured the lemang was evenly cooked, unlike the traditional method, which took up to two hours.

Jeffrey said his innovation had attracted the interest of lemang makers from other states, including Penang, who had purchased his handmade steel drum barrels for their own businesses.

Jeffrey’s stall offers freshly made lemang, priced between RM15 and RM20 each depending on size, along with his savoury chicken rendang at RM10 per container.

-- BERNAMA