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SEBERANG JAYA – To enjoy the authentic cuisine of Negeri Sembilan in a state that is synonymous with nasi kandar may sound a bit awkward. But now it is no longer impossible, especially for the nomads in Penang, who miss the “masak lemak cili api” dish of their hometowns.
Meet Lomaq Coffee restaurant owner Shamsul Munir Safini, 37. He said the idea to open a Negeri Sembilan authentic cuisine restaurant came about after finding few eateries serving authentic cuisine from the Minangkabau state.
“Everyone knows that Penang is known as a food paradise. But, I don't see many restaurant operators who choose to serve the cuisine of Negeri Sembilan. “So I took the challenge and started opening Lomaq Coffee last year,” he told The Vibes.
Shamsul Munir, who was born in Perlis, admitted that he fell in love with Negeri Sembilan cuisine when he attended school for five years at Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan (SMAP) Labu, Negeri Sembilan.
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"Many ask why I don't sell northern cuisine or from my home state, but I think Negeri Sembilan cuisine might be more interesting," he said.
Starting the business when the movement control order (MCO) came into force last year, Shamsul Munir, who is also a former journalist at a local newspaper (Harian Metro), said he took a risk and went against the tide when many restaurants began to step back.
Armed with the experience of having run a part-time business, Shamsul Munir took steps to successfully rent another premise that was added next to the restaurant in Hala Kalui, here.
"I am happy because, in less than a year, many people know Lomaq Coffee so we had to expand premises for the convenience of customers," he said.
To further add to the atmosphere of eating in Negeri Sembilan, the rural-style interior decoration features murals of Tanjung Life and Minangkabau characters by the famous cartoonist Azmi Hussain. He had also rented a life-sized Ujang Aku Budak Minang caricature model, which is the only one available in Malaysia.
“The character of Ujang Aku Budak Minang is very synonymous with Negeri Sembilan, therefore it was adopted as the interior decoration concept of Lomaq Coffee.
"Customers can also take the opportunity to take photos with the caricature model, while it is still on loan here," said the father of four.
Lomaq Coffee, which has more than 50 dishes, serves masak lemak with smoked beef as its speciality, besides a variety of premium coffee drinks. – The Vibes, September 16, 2021
