KUCHING: Collectors of “mangkuk tingkat”—a kind of lunch box used widely in Asia — can now get them customised according to the designs of their choice.
According to Norhaslin Ra’ee Han, the idea to run the business came about in 2018 after she saw several customised tiffin carriers produced by her friend.
Armed with deep interest in art as well as her desire to find extra income for her family, Norhaslin ventured into the field.
“Alhamdulillah, until today, demand is increasing not only from customers from Sarawak but also Sabah and Malaya.
“I don’t make these tiffin carriers myself but I buy the ready-made ones from suppliers.
“I will then add decorative stickers on the surface of the carrier according to customers’ wishes,” she explained.
Personalised tiffin carriers and pandan bags by Norhaslin. 
Personalised tiffin carriers and pandan bags by Norhaslin. 
Personalised tiffin carriers and pandan bags by Norhaslin. 
Personalised tiffin carriers and pandan bags by Norhaslin.
Further elaborating, Norhaslin said apart from producing personalised tiffin carriers or also known as “kaleng” in Sarawak, she also produced customised bags as well as mugs.
Using the same concept as the tiffin carrier, she will buy bags, which are made of pandan leaves, as well as mugs and will stick decorative stickers onto them.
“Tiffin carriers are not only used as a food container but it can also be used as a gift for various occasions. The same goes for the mugs.
“Bags can be used to fill children’s necessities (to be sent to day-care centres) or to place books, telekung (prayer veil) and so on,” she explained, adding that each of her personalised items usually takes at least three days to complete.
Personalised tiffin carriers and pandan bags by Norhaslin. 
Plain tiffin carriers.
Meanwhile, when asked how her business was doing during the pandemic, Norhaslin said she was thankful that it was gaining popularity even though the country is undergoing the movement control order (MCO).
She said people needed tiffin carriers and bags to bring food to the office as the current situation did not allow for dine-ins.
The public interested to order can visit her Facebook page My Little Shop or call her at 011-11581554.
With a reasonable price according to size, customers can get a tiffin carrier for as low as RM65 and a pandan bag for RM45.
