Nostalgic Dining at Rumah Atap Kuning
KUALA KANGSAR – Wanting customers to enjoy an atmosphere reminiscent of returning to their hometown, a former company secretary has turned his residence into a restaurant offering traditional village cuisine called Rumah Atap Kuning (Yellow Roof House).
To add more charm, delicious village dishes are served in traditional trays (talam) to evoke memories of the past, surrounded by the beauty of nature, including rice fields and canals, accompanied by the sounds of chickens and ducks, against the backdrop of a sunset.
Zaida Mohamed Abdul Aziz, 51, considers customers coming to this traditional Perak house as guests who have traveled from afar to savor the dishes crafted by his hands.
“There are two meal options, Talam A and Talam B, priced at RM140 for a group of four or RM35 per person,” he said when interviewed at Rumah Atap Kuning recently.
Among the dishes served are patin fish in coconut milk with fermented durian (tempoyak), chicken stew with soy sauce, chicken rendang with pandan leaves, duck stew, fern shoots with rendang gravy, spicy and sour duck eggs, duck eggs in coconut milk with starfruit, smoked quail, fermented fish, chili paste, and assorted fresh vegetables.
Not to be forgotten, syrup cordial as well as dessert options like fermented cassava (tapai ubi) and red agar-agar are all presented in classic traditional trays, including plates and cups.
The mother of four said that after enjoying the meal, guests can spend time taking pictures around the house and feeding the ducks and chickens.
“We also provide batik fabric and sarongs for those who want to dress in traditional attire, and some guests even come prepared wearing Malay traditional clothing from home,” she said, adding that they only open for lunch from 12 noon to 3 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Sharing the idea behind opening Rumah Atap Kuning, Zaida, who also has a food business in Kuala Lumpur, said that they bought nearly an acre of land there with the original intention of building a second home for weekend retreats.
However, wanting to make use of the space and surroundings of the traditional house, Zaida and her husband, A. Wahab, 52, and their daughter, Aida Batrisya Zainal, 22, tried turning it into a private venue for guests to dine.
For now, the business, which has been operating for over two months, offers only lunchtime slots, and the space inside the house can accommodate up to 30 people or six to seven groups at a time, including dining at the gazebo outside.
Due to the overwhelming response from customers, those who wish to enjoy special dishes at Rumah Atap Kuning need to make reservations a week or two in advance, along with a 50 percent deposit.
“Some customers feel disappointed when they walk in because they don’t know they need to book in advance, and some have to wait their turn because reservations are full,” said Zaida, who hails from Bagan Ajam, Penang.
To provide more opportunities for customers, Zaida opens her home for a sunset hi-tea slot from 5 pm to 7 pm, offering serabai cakes with durian sauce, and hot coffee or tea priced at RM10 per person.
Meanwhile, a teacher, Siti Zawiyah Mohamad Basari, 40, is willing to drive over 120 kilometers from Kulim, Kedah, just to experience dining in a traditional house while enjoying the beauty of the village.
“I learned about Rumah Atap Kuning through Facebook and have come twice with colleagues, and today I am here with my mother and husband. The price paid is definitely worth the service provided, and I will surely visit again,” she said.
– BERNAMA
