HAVING AYAM GEPUK FOR LUNCH

I had the opportunity to go on a lunch date with two ex-colleagues of SMK Dato' Jaafar, Mr. Shafiq and Mr. Abdul Aziz. The chosen venue was Nasi Ayam Gepuk Bang Ujang located in Kampung Melayu.

I actually had a craving for Nasi Ayam Gepuk and today I was happy to savour it for lunch.

This was my third time at the restaurant. The place seemed to be popular by looking at the number of people who came during lunch hour.

It was a very short lunch date and we could not sit for too long as they had to get back to school. Looking forward to another chance to meet up again after this.

THE IMPROMPTU REUNION SESSION WITH TWO KL PEOPLE

    22ND MAY 2026     ~ At 4:00 p.m., Puan Adura Adnan texted in the Whatsapp group, informing the other two members of the community she was in town. The other member was coincidentally was also in Johor Bahru with her family members. A reunion session with two ex-schoolmates [of SMS Muar] was then planned and successfully executed.

We all decided to get Laksa Johor for dinner - when in Johor eat dinner like Johorians do. The chosen venue was Ruma Tengah in Kampung Melayu, the one place that I know that serves good Laksa Johor. 

By the way, one of the girls managed to get her daughter to accompany so there were four people attending.

This was our very first meeting this year and it was significant as it was held in Johor Bahru for the first time ever. All this while, it had always been in Kuala Lumpur. Puan Adura Adnan and Puan Hafizah Mohd. Noor were actually born and bred here, but are now residing in the capital city.

We had to bid farewell to each other for now, and looked forward to another gathering after this.

THE SUPPER SESSION AT KALCER

   22ND APRIL 2026   ~ The initial plan was to eat Laksa Johor in Kampung Melayu. Unfortunately, the place was about to close when we arrived after 10:00 p.m. as everything was already sold out. Plan B was to just go to another place just beside it called Kalcer.

There were many people dining in when we arrived and more were still arriving when we were about to enjoy our supper.

We ordered pizza to complement our coffee. The pizza was delicious and I now know of a new place where to get good food. For one thing, I seemed to be the eldest person around at that time. Guess the place catered the needs and taste of the young ones.

That was my very first time at Kalcer in Kampung Melayu and it all happened without prior plan with a friend from Kuala Lumpur who was in town for work, Mr. Norazman.

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE WITH KL PEOPLE IN KAMPUNG MELAYU

Mee Rebus

   10th APRIL 2026    ~ After the Eid visit to my house [READ HERE], I took the three guests from Kuala Lumpur for their late lunch at Kampung Melayu. The chosen place was the food court: Azo Murtabak Kampung Melayu. I had to introduce them to one of the eating places I used to take other friends when they were here.

Pattaya Fried Rice

Kuew Tiau Bandung

Murtabak

Laicikang

Everybody had different food of their own choice, which should keep them full until their next meal later in the evening. They would be occupied the following day and I would be meeting them again on Sunday before they left for Kuala Lumpur.

MY FIRST TIME AT ABANG UJANG NASI AYAM GEPUK RESTAURANT

   23RD JANUARY 2026    ~ Finally I set foot into this restaurant that I had driven past by every time I was in Kampung Melayu. I had my assistant gardener, Mr. Eko, with me so he could give his testimony of this Indonesian restaurant serving Indonesian dish.

The rice portion was bigger than usual, and one could even top up the rice [and sambal] for free. The restaurant was modern and using the fast food restaurant concept. The rice set that came with iced drinks could be slightly pricy but it was reasonable.

More photos will be uploaded later.

THE 12TH DAY OF EID 1447H

The one and only visitor of the day was an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti [SPM batch 2005], Mr. Mohd. Faiz. He was here at 10:30 a.m. and I decided to ask him out for lunch as it was almost noon before he left.

The chosen restaurant was Abang Ujang Nasi Ayam Gepuk in Kampung Melayu. It was my second time there, eating an Indonesian rice dish, and the first time for Mr. Faiz. The place was popular as more people started arriving for lunch as we were about to leave.

I will be seeing Mr. Faiz more frequently after this as he is now assisting me with some business matter, which I will tell later.

 

GETTING MY ROTI CANAI AFTER ONE MONTH AND ONE WEEK

I completed my six days of optional fasting in the month of Syawal yesterday. The first breakfast I had after one month and six days extra of fasting was Roti Canai [and Teh Tarik]. Accompanied by my assistant [part time] gardener, Mr. Eko, we went to this stall named Restoran Warisan Pak Atan in Kampung Melayu, to try the flat bread for the first time.

THE REVIEW OF THE ROTI CANAI: the flat bread was alright but unfortunately, the dhal gravy was not. It was a bit salty and thin at the same time. I have tasted better gravy at other places. Bear in mind, the gravy is one factor that determine whether the meal set is good or not.

I should now write Roti Canai review at the stalls/restaurants I visit in Johor Bahru after this.

HAVING LAKSA JOHOR FOR DINNER

   13th FEBRUARY 2026    ~ Mr, Afif Farhan Zolkefli, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, invited me out for dinner before the arrival of Ramadhan, the fasting month.

Initially we wanted to eat Yong Tau Fu but there were too many people there and we ended up at this place called Ruma Tengah [TRANSLATE: Middle House]. This was my first time here even though I already knew about the existence of the eating place.

We arrived at the place at about 9:20 p.m. and there were still many people dining in at that particular hour.

Original Taufu Fa

Taufu Fa with Cincau [grass jelly]

The signature dish of Ruma Tengah was its Laksa Johor.

my phone

Afif's phone

The Laksa Johor was commendable and now I know of a new place to take my friends for dinner when they come visiting.

Thanks to Mr. Afif for the time and company. It was good to get to enjoy dinner and keep up with the latest development.

THE VERY FIRST TEH TARIK SESSION FOR THE YEAR 2026

Everything fried: banana, sweet potato,
Keropok Lekor and Tempe

The very first Teh Tarik session with two ex-colleagues of SMK Dato' Jaafar after they had clocked out for work. The designated venue was Bunpah Corner in Kampung Melayu. It was good to start the new year with two friends from school, and hopefully we could meet more frequently in the year 2026.