Kelantan is very famous for its sweet food. Besides their everyday meals, they also have a wide variety of sweet treats and kuih (traditional cakes and snacks).
Credit: Utusan TV
Follow us to discover the unique Kelantan kuih found in Kota Bharu.
1. Kuih Akok
Kuih Akok is very famous in the state of Kelantan. Here, there are various variations of kuih Akok, among them Akok Telur (egg), Akok Nyiur (coconut), and Akok Kahwin. Kuih Akok Telur is the traditional and original kuih Akok before it was varied by the others, while kuih Akok Nyiur is the original Akok with grated coconut added inside. Akok Kahwin, meanwhile, is a fusion of the original kuih Akok and kuih Bahulu.
2. Kuih Beko
Kuih Beko is a kind of kuih based on nyiur (grated coconut) and is one of the famous traditional kuih of Kelantan. Many traders sell this kuih, especially at Pasar Siti Khadijah. This kuih is crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The locals love to enjoy it hot during the rainy season.
3. Kuih Jala Emas
This kuih is made from chicken or duck eggs cooked using boiled sugar water and pandan. The beaten chicken or duck eggs are then slowly drizzled over the still-heating sugar water until they form thread-like shapes. For lovers of sweet food, this kuih is a treat you must try because of its very sweet taste, especially if you buy it in Kelantan.
4. Kuih Tahi Itik
Like kuih Benang Emas, the basis of making this kuih is chicken or duck eggs cooked with sugar and several other ingredients such as pandan and clove flowers. This kuih is soft and chewy, with a rich, sweet taste. Some tourists may not like it because of its clove flavour, but for the locals, this kuih is one of their everyday treats.
5. Kuih Buah Gomok
This kuih is made from a dough of glutinous rice flour and gula nisan or gula melaka (palm sugar). Do not be fooled by the white dusting that coats this kuih, because it is not sugar but glutinous rice flour. This kuih is sweet and has a slight burnt taste from the glutinous rice flour, which is cooked without oil until browned before being pounded or ground until fine. This kuih is not as sweet as kuih Jala Emas, so for those who want to try it, this kuih is a good choice.
6. Pulut Lepa
Also known as Pulut Bakar, this kuih is grilled in a round mould over a grill until browned. Besides the round shape, you can also get it in an elongated form. Among the famous fillings inside are Serunding Daging (beef floss), Serunding Ayam (chicken floss), and Serunding Ikan (fish floss). However, there are also customers who like plain pulut bakar. If you drop by Kota Bharu, do not forget to taste this treat.
7. Kuih Kuba Guling
Kuih Kerbau Guling is a kuih made from coconut-shell charcoal and then rolled in grated coconut until it coats the outside of the kuih. Because of this, the kuih is deep black in colour, as it is made from charcoal. The taste of this kuih is soft and sweet. If you want to enjoy this kuih, you can get it around Pasar Siti Khadijah.
8. Kuih Serabai
This dish is made from glutinous rice and cold rice ground until fine, with several other ingredients added before being grilled. This kuih is enjoyed with sweet sauce or fish sauce, or both. If you buy this dish in Kelantan, you will find both of these sauces sold together.
9. Kuih Koleh Kacang
This kuih is famous because it is made from tahi minyak (the leftover residue of cooking oil) mixed with coconut milk and green-bean flour. This kuih is very suitable as an afternoon dish because of its nutty, rich, and sweet taste. This kuih also goes well served with hot drinks such as coffee or tea.
10. Ketupat Manis
In Kelantan, there are various variations of ketupat manis. Among those you can get are the original ketupat manis, ketupat manis jagung (corn), and ketupat manis kacang (bean). This ketupat is wrapped in palas leaves before being steamed until cooked. It tastes rich, sweet, and chewy. It is suitable to eat on its own or eaten with sugar such as white sugar or brown sugar.
Truly interesting and very delicious! If you are heading to Kota Bharu, book your homestay directly with us here.
