By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Oct 10: With his “happy-go-lucky” philosophy, 54-year-old Yu Char Kway vendor Ang Leng Wu, better known as Ah Kiong, brings energy and a jovial spirit to his stall every morning as he serves up freshly fried Chinese breadsticks, locally known as ‘youtiao’ or ‘yu char kway’.
Ah Kiong, who has been running his stall at Expert Food Court RH Plaza for the last six years, is known for his cheerful greetings and warm smiles as he engages with customers.
“This has been my morning routine since 6am every day,” he shared with DayakDaily.
“By mid-morning, around 10am, most of the breadsticks are sold out. This business is really for the early birds who enjoy their breadstick with a cup of coffee.”
Patrons often watch him fry the breadsticks and enjoy chatting with him while waiting for their orders. “It makes me happy to see their smiling faces. As a vendor, it’s a pleasure to serve,” he said.
Ah Kiong believes that his enthusiasm and positivity are crucial to his success.
“When we work, we must be jovial, especially when you’re standing behind a hot wok. Being cheerful helps build rapport with customers, and I’m glad they like my breadsticks.”
Before venturing into the food industry, Ah Kiong worked in a printing company where he was responsible for creating apparel using embroidery and printed designs.
However, seeking additional income for his family, he and his wife transitioned into the culinary world, starting with steamed broths and rice dishes.
After six years, the couple shifted to making steamed dumplings but found that they didn’t attract enough customers.
It was then that Ah Kiong decided to focus on Chinese breadsticks, a skill he learned by observing a fellow vendor.
He decided to take a chance and rented a stall at Expert Food Court after the proprietor encouraged him to try his luck.
“I thought about how my surname, ‘Ang,’ means ‘red’ in Chinese—a symbol of luck and prosperity. I chose to be optimistic and positive about this new venture.”
Ah Kiong shared that making people happy with his food is central to his philosophy, and ever since he started making breadsticks, he’s felt confident about his decision.
He prepares his bread dough at night, allowing it to proof for eight hours to achieve the best flavor and texture.
“Life starts early for me, but having a routine and seeing people enjoy their morning coffee with breadsticks is satisfying—just like how Europeans enjoy their croissants.”
Locals love pairing his crispy breadsticks with dishes like Laksa and rice porridge. Ah Kiong also offers a variety of other snacks, including fried turnip cake, yam pastry, mung bean dessert, and preserved plum ice cream.
Though still in its early stages, Ah Kiong’s breadstick venture has begun to attract larger orders.
“It’s my luck to have ventured into this snack business. As a ‘happy-go-lucky’ person, I always stay cheerful and look to the future with optimism,” he said with a chuckle.
His stall at Expert Food Court RH Plaza Kuching is open daily from 6am to 10pm For more information, call 011-3368 1229. — DayakDaily
