Mengkuang Cafe on Star Metro

Friday September 14, 2007

Food to please the palate

Creamy: Kopi Kiasu is served with vanilla ice cream.

IF fusion is what you are looking for when it comes to food, Mengkuang Cafe & Bistro at Challenger Sports Centre in Galleria Alam Damai, Cheras is the place to head to.

It serves Malay, Indian, Chinese, Arabian and even western food.

Owner Iskandar Othman said the name Mengkuang came from the traditional Malay mat made of Mengkuang leaves.

“This name appealed as it has a Malaysian feel to it. We have been operating for about two months now and so far business has been good. Most of our customers are the sport centre users but we see families coming in as well,” he said.

“Here, we prepare food using home-made ingredients. One example is the Ikan Kerabu prepared using home-made soy sauce which is distinctive because of the fresh taste. It is called Ikan Garupa Parit Setongkat after a town in Johor,” he said.

“We have a chef who does the cooking..''

Iskandar said that the menu was changed regularly to give their customers variety.

For coffee lovers, Kopi kiasu may be worth a try. This drink comes with two scoops of vanilla ice cream as a topping and it is a signature brew from Muar, Iskandar's home town.

Wide range: Iskandar with an array of food served at the Mengkuang Cafe & Bistro in Cheras.

A special League Meal inspired by the futsal arena here is also available. The meals are named after major English premier league clubs. The meals are a combination of rice, soup and a selection of beef or chicken.

Mengkuang will have a Ramadan buffet priced at RM25 for adults and RM12 for children. There will be live cooking stations, Arabian dishes and Malay cuisine from the East Coast prepared fresh daily.

Iskandar is also planning to extend the karaoke booth where people can a private party.

He is also planning to put up tents and set up a stage for live band performances after the Hari Raya celebrations.

Different: Mengkuang Cafe & Bistro has a football theme and feel because of its location at the Challenger Sport Centre.

Currently the cafe has free live jamming sessions every Thursday and Friday.

Mengkuang Cafe & Bistro is located at Challenger Sport Centre, Galleria Alam Damai, Cheras, Jalan 4/142, Taman Connought, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

For more information, please call 03-9102 3626.