A Johor entrepreneur’s recipe for bergedil tofu success

Nur Khalisah Ismail, a 33-year-old entrepreneur from Johor Bahru, faced initial skepticism when she began making bergedil tofu. The local snack struggled to win over customers initially due to an unappealing filling. Undeterred, Khalisah persisted in perfecting her recipe, listening to feedback and making adjustments over the course of nearly a year.

Today, TahuXTahu, the brand she founded, boasts a thriving business. At peak periods, the factory consumes up to 100 sacks of potatoes daily, producing around 90,000 pieces of bergedil tofu. The business originally started with a meager RM100 investment when Khalisah launched it in 2017, after graduating from her studies. Back then, she prepared the snack at her mother's shop. However, after receiving positive feedback on the product's taste, she decided to take the venture further and open her own outlet in 2020.

The manufacturing process was challenging, and Khalisah's financial resources were scarce. She had no money left after starting the renovation. She even found herself with less than RM1,000 in her bank account. The initial shop was in deplorable condition, which almost forced her to give up. Yet, her determination and commitment helped her build a successful business.

TahuXTahu is known for its distinctive bergedil tofu, a filling nestled inside a tofu patty and served with a signature spicy soy sauce dip. Customers can now choose from chicken, beef, and even spring rolls made with chicken and beef. The price for the dish starts from RM9 for five pieces, with a family box containing 50 pieces priced at RM75.

As the company has grown, Khalisah introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to uphold consistency in production. The workforce has expanded to 18 employees, and the team has ensured that each batch is prepared with the same measurements and quality control measures. Moreover, TahuXTahu has expanded its role by serving as a marketplace for other home-based food producers.

Today, about 100 vendors use TahuXTahu's platform to sell their products, ranging from elderly entrepreneurs to younger food makers who lack marketing expertise.

Khalisah has taken measures to counter rising ingredient costs without raising prices. By increasing the amount of filling in each bergedil tofu from 30g to 40g, and improving the packaging, she has managed to provide better value to customers. She has also made significant investments in expanding the business. For instance, a second outlet was opened in August 2024, which led to a doubling of sales within the first year.

The company is pursuing various certifications to prepare for wider expansion. In the foreseeable future, Khalisah hopes to continue strengthening the brand within Malaysia before venturing overseas.