A couple in Kota Bharu, Kelantan has turned their roadside king crab stall into a social media sensation, raking in more than RM12,000 in just 15 minutes.
The stall is run by Mohamad Ikhmal Nur Hakim Mohamad Yusof and his wife, Nurul Al Fatonah Awang. Ikhmal said the idea began when Nurul craved king crab — a dish usually served only in expensive restaurants. “To fulfil my wife’s wish, I bought some. Then she suggested we sell them at an affordable price so more people could enjoy seafood that normally costs hundreds of ringgit,” he told Berita Harian.
Priced at RM85 each, all 150 crabs sold out within 15 minutes on their first day. The couple initially took orders from home and delivered to customers, but later moved to a roadside stall in Lembah Sireh due to time constraints.
They began promoting their business on TikTok and Facebook, and soon videos from customers boosted their popularity even further. Now, long queues form daily for their seafood. “Our stall opens at 4pm and it has become a popular spot for seafood lovers who want to try premium seafood at an affordable price,” Ikhmal said.
Despite overwhelming demand, Ikhmal explained that supply remains limited as he insists on using fresh stock. “The high cost and varying sizes of crabs make it a challenge,” he said.
Nurul said their success lies in affordability and taste. The crabs are pre-cooked and served hot with two sauces — chilli and buttermilk. “People prefer ready-to-eat meals. That’s why our crabs with sauce are always in high demand,” she added.
One repeat customer, Azlina Alawi, travelled from Ipoh just to buy the crabs after watching a viral TikTok video. “I came yesterday but couldn’t get any because they were sold out, so I came again today. The price is much cheaper than what I usually pay and it gives more people a chance to eat king crab,” she said.
