When we think of hawkers, an image of an aged auntie or uncle usually comes to mind. They're usually seasoned veterans, expertly whipping up made-to-order dishes at lightning speed, likely owing to their decades of experience operating their stall. However, these days, there is an increasing number of ambitious young women becoming hawkers, whether they are keeping the family's legacy.
Kelaté, Toa Payoh: A sense of comfort, a feeling of familiarity, and a taste of home
Last Updated: April 19, 2021
Kelaté
’s stepping stone into Singapore’s gruelling F&B industry.
Compelled to settle down in our sunny island with her Singaporean husband due to the current travel restrictions, Sasqia found herself craving a taste of home after a long period away from her hometown of Kelantan. In an attempt to ease that bit of homesickness, she started whipping up traditional Kelantanese fare in her very own kitchen, feeding friends and loved ones with comfort food she grew up with.
“Response to my food was great, and that was when I started selling from home. After some time, I felt a calling to open Kelaté, an avenue where I can share traditional Kelantese cuisine to my fellow Malaysians who, like me, are missing a taste of their hometown,” Sasqia mentioned during our visit.
laksa, although it looks nothing like the
laksa that Singaporeans are used to.
Laksam contains no curry paste. Instead, it consists of rolled up rice flour noodles covered in a gravy made from fish or eel, and coconut milk.
If you want to try it, you ll have to travel to Kelantan or Terengannu. Or you can just head over to Toa Payoh.
Malaysian actress and host Sasqia Dahuri opened Kelaté, a hawker stall in Toa Payoh, in February this year, selling a range of Kelantanese dishes including
Laksam (S$4.90/ S$6.90) Via Kelaté/Facebook.