ANN/THE STAR – Inquire with any mother from Sarawak about her preferred confinement food, and it is highly likely that she will mention “ka chang ma chicken”.
This dish is a traditional Chinese confinement meal that has gradually gained popularity among individuals of various ethnic backgrounds.
According to Nur Hanie Mohammed, 42, who operates a confinement meal delivery service from her residence in Kuching, it has become an essential dish for new mothers during their confinement period.
The dish, which consists of chicken, ginger, and dried ka chang ma herbs (also known as motherwort), is particularly favored by her clientele.
Although ka chang ma is not indigenous to the region, having been introduced to Sarawak by the Hakka community from China, it has become a significant component of one of the unique culinary offerings of the hornbill state.
“I have Dayak and Malay clients who request for this dish during their confinement period, and I remember my late mother being served this dish after she gave birth to my younger brother,” said the home-based cook.
Confinement food delivery services are increasingly popular across the country for various reasons. They give new mothers one less thing to worry about and ensure they receive adequate nutrition to support their bodies throughout the healing process while they care for their newborns.
And for Nur Hanie, infusing her dishes with traditional elements comes naturally.
Growing up in Sarawak and surrounded by the aromatic spices and vibrant flavours of local dishes, Nur Hanie decided to specialise in Sarawakian cuisine for recovering new mothers because she believes that nourishing and traditional food hold stories, memories and promote emotional connections.
Her business, Ringkat Mama Confinement Meal, offers two daily meals (lunch and dinner), with an optional tea time snack. Each meal includes a protein (chicken or fish), vegetables and fruits for fibre and some carbohydrates.
“While these meals essentially provide nourishment for postpartum recovery, a delivery food service gives new mothers peace of mind, freeing them from worrying about their next meal and allowing them to spend more time with their babies,” she added.
A MODERN OPTION
Nur Hanie said confinement meal delivery is particularly valuable now since many new mothers lack the “village” – extended family members and friends who traditionally cared for them during this period.
Despite having only offered the service for two years, Nur Hanie, who is also a freelance illustrator, has received rave reviews about her food quality but she remains far from being complacent. A mother to a three-year-old daughter, she regularly exchanges notes with two confinement lady acquaintances from different backgrounds to find more about the types of food necessary for new mothers.
“One friend, who is medically trained, has a more of a modern outlook, while the other, who comes from a line of confinement ladies, sticks to more traditional practices,” she said.
The first confinement lady shares insights on the effects of certain traditional herbs, while the second one advises her on which foods have ‘cold’ or ‘heaty’ properties.
“It’s fascinating to learn these things and I’m always trying to reconcile the differences between these two postpartum practices, specifically about confinement meals. I aim to find a balance between them,” said Nur Hanie.
Despite the delivery cost of sending the meals out, Nur Hanie believes that confinement food delivery remains worthwhile due to the convenience it offers to new mothers and their families.
“My delivery cost depends on the location – the farther the delivery is, the higher the price.
But I find the cost is manageable when there are multiple customers in one area,” she said.
“But cost aside, I think this business ‘nourishes’ me too, because I get to ease the lives of women who are in this new and challenging phase. It feels good to be able to help fellow mothers,” she added.
