{
  "id": 11317925,
  "title": "RM4 apam balik draws customers from across Johor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/rm4-apam-balik-draws-customers-from-across-johor",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T00:33:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1545922/rm4-apam-balik-draws-customers-across-johor"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kota Tinggi: A family recipe for apam balik has been a hit in the area for 19 years, drawing customers from Johor and beyond. Despite increasing ingredient costs, the business maintains its original taste at RM4 per piece, making it a popular choice among locals. Nelta Efrida Zulfadhli, 37, the business owner, explains that all ingredients are prepared fresh daily, with the flour batter made at the premises and corn prepared in-house. The couple, who have three full-time and two part-time workers, have raised prices previously but have managed to maintain a profit margin with high sales volume, and have no plans to increase prices at the moment. Nelta Efrida, who joined the business in 2009, notes that demand for their apam balik has surged, with sales reaching up to RM6,000 when the product went viral. The original flavour remains the best-seller, followed by Nutella and Japanese-style variations. The business faces challenges with a shortage of workers, particularly for wedding orders, but plans to expand its target market through social media instead of opening more branches to ensure product consistency.",
  "summary": "KOTA TINGGI: A family recipe that has been passed down for 19 years continues to keep customers coming back for the Jalan Mawai “apam balik” here.",
  "key_points": [
    "Apam balik business in Kota Tinggi has been popular for 19 years.",
    "Owner Nelta Efrida maintains original taste at RM4 price despite rising costs.",
    "Demand surged, reaching RM6,000 sales when viral, with no price increase plan."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The business's decision to keep its apam balik price at RM4 despite rising costs means it remains an attractive option for customers, allowing it to maintain high sales volume and profit margin.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}