By Wilfred Pilo
Each time 26-year-old street vendor Naseem Rezza serves a glass of lassi, the traditional Indian yoghurt drink, he is reminded of the milk moustache he used to have as a child after sipping it.
These days, it’s one of the fond memories of lassi that he shares with customers—a small story to brighten their day and entice them to try his drink.
Armed with his family’s cherished yoghurt drink recipes, Naseem decided to join the city’s food and beverage scene, not only to share his family’s refreshing creation but also to build a source of income for himself after recently completing his degree.
The friendly and hardworking young entrepreneur shared that the idea to sell the drink came to him during his internship, where his supervisor encouraged him to pursue the idea and start his own small business.
Since then, he has begun taking part in weekend bazaars and has also expanded his business through online sales.
“I need income to support myself while pursuing my master’s degree, and running this vending business gives me that opportunity.
“It’s also the best way to put what I’ve learned into practice, so why not?” he told DayakDaily with a cheeky smile.
According to Naseem, his handcrafted yoghurt beverages offer a refreshing taste rooted in Indian Punjabi tradition, making them the perfect complement to any meal.
He added that his inspiration came from his grandmother’s recipe, which gives his drinks their distinctive and memorable flavour.
“My late grandmother used to make this for us, and after she passed away, my aunt inherited her recipes. So, one day, I asked my aunt to teach me how to make the drink, and she agreed—that’s how I began making my own,” he shared.
As a new vendor, Naseem hopes his yoghurt drinks will be well-received, noting that they are probiotic beverages that offer various health benefits.
“It’s good for digestion, so it’s a great option for those who enjoy beverages like this,” he said.
Naseem believes his lassi has strong market potential within the local small business beverage sector, adding that it fits well with Malaysia’s food culture—one that brings people together.
“I want to contribute to our small cottage industry and make a decent living as a vendor. If I can’t pursue my future goals, at least this gives me a safety net,” he said.
Currently, Naseem’s lassi—Surinder’s Recipe—comes in strawberry, mango, pineapple, and gula apong flavours, priced at RM7 for 350ml (small), RM10 for 500ml (medium), and RM18 for 1,000ml (large).
“I’ll continue making lassi, a drink loved by many, and I hope people will support small vendors like us. It’s a refreshing beverage, after all,” he said with a smile.
Those interested in trying his lassi can contact Naseem at 019-810 6778. — DayakDaily
