PASIR MAS, Dec 4 (Bernama) — Every monsoon season, Che Yah Che Lah, a dried fish trader in the Bandar Tasek Raja market, is always short of hands to meet customers demand, especially for ikan kering gelama sungai (dried gelama freshwater fish).

Che Yah or affectionately known as ‘Mok Yoh’ said the price can reach up to RM100 per kilogramme (kg) because it is difficult to obtain and tastes good.

“There are various types of gelama (silver white croaker) fish, but the river variety is scarce and is only available once a year, which is in April. The fish will then be processed before being sold in the monsoon season.

“Its unique and delicious taste makes it a  highly sought-after product, so even if the price reaches RM100 per kg, this fish is still in high demand,” she said when met by Bernama at Pasar Bandar Tasek Raja today.

Elaborating, Mok Yoh, who has been in the dried fish business for the past 40 years, said that ikan kering gelama sungai has more flesh and is bigger in size than other dried fish.

“The taste of Ikan kering gelama sungai is also fresh and less salty compared to the easily available gelama bekok (partially dried salted fish),” she said adding that the dish is best served with hot rice.

“This dried fish product comes in three different prices for one kilogramme ranging from RM50/kg to RM100/kg,” she said.

In addition to ikan kering gelama sungai, Mok Yoh also sells more than 30 types of dried fish such as cencaru, kekek, tamban, bulu ayam, mackerel, stingray as well as pekasam and pickled fish.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency