Three generations dish out 10,200 plates of mee sotong

(From right) Sheikh Abidin, Muhammad Hafiz and Seeni Mohd revelling in their record for serving 10,200 plates of mee sotong at Padang Kota Lama. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Dishing out 10,200 plates of mee sotong within 24 hours has booked three generations of a Penang family a place in the Malaysia Book Of Records (MBOR) for the “Most ‘Mee Goreng Sotong’ Giveaway”.

Syed Muhammad Hafiz Seeni Mohd, 24, his father Seeni Mohd Sheikh Abidin, 47, and grandfather Sheikh Abidin AKM Mustapha, 78, had to forgo sleep but surpassed the initial target of 10,000 plates.

“We wished to share our rezeki (fortune) with the people,” said Syed Muhammad Hafiz after the feat at Padang Kota Lama in George Town.

The family started their business in Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda but now operates from Penang Road.

The record also marks the 46th anniversary of the family’s legacy in the mee sotong business.

However, the record did not come easy despite their long years in the business that was started by Sheikh Abidin in 1977.

“Although the feat took us 24 hours to complete, we spent three days to prepare the sauce and ingredients.

“My palms were blistered by the time I was done with the last plate,” said Syed Muhammad Hafiz, who also thanked volunteers and sponsors for helping.

MBOR official Edwin Yeoh presented them with the record, which was certified to Young Muslim Sports Club in Penang, co-organiser of the event.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present at the handover of the certificate, commended the club for once again making it into the record books, having painted the longest mural in the country in 2003.

“Today, they made the state proud again and we thank them for their efforts,” he said.