By Wilfred Pilo
Four to five times a week, 23-year-old Raymond Wong makes his rounds at busy eateries across Kuching, selling freshly baked siew pau and chicken curry puffs prepared by his mother in Tapah.
For the past six months, Wong has been helping support his family by introducing his mother’s homemade savoury pastries to more customers in the city.
His mother, a self-taught baker with 10 years of experience, prepares the snacks almost daily, turning her passion for baking into a source of income for the family.
Hailing from Tapah, a small town along the Kuching-Serian Road, Wong travels to Kuching with his uncle, who heads to the city early in the morning for business.
“I took the opportunity to help my family make a living,” Wong told DayakDaily.
Since then, he has become a familiar face at several busy commercial areas, including BDC, Kenyalang Park, RH Plaza, 10th Mile Bazaar, and 4th Mile Commercial Centre.
Wong sells the homemade siew pau and chicken curry puffs at RM10 for four pieces.
For him, the satisfaction goes beyond making sales. Seeing customers enjoy his mother’s baking makes the effort worthwhile.
“It is always a delight to meet people and see them accept what my mother bakes. That is how we know whether they like our siew pau and curry puffs,” he said.
He added that his parents had always supported his efforts, particularly his decision to help bring their homemade snacks to a wider market.
Wong also finds the work physically rewarding. A keen badminton player in the past, he stopped playing after 10 years because of an injury.
Now, walking around the city to sell the snacks keeps him active while giving him a renewed sense of purpose.
Beyond selling the pastries, Wong is also learning his mother’s baking techniques in the hope of preserving the family’s baking tradition.
He believes local snacks continue to enjoy strong appeal, particularly during festivals and celebrations when families gather to share food.
“I don’t mind getting up early and helping to prepare everything. I feel good every time I finish selling the snacks for the day,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wong hopes to open a permanent stall or outlet specialising in siew pau and chicken curry puffs.
For now, he is content to help his mother share her homemade creations with more Kuching residents, one sale at a time.
Behind every pastry is the hard work of a family striving to make a living. For Wong, every basket sold brings him a little closer to his dream.
For inquiries, call 011-140 3012. — DayakDaily
