27/09/2025

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Lontong darat draws locals, foreigners alike to Mersing o Popular eatery becomes must-visit spot for food enthusiasts, tourists

Lontong darat .

THIS Mid-Autumn Festival, Elevete Patisserie has unveiled its Luscious Lunar Snowskin Mooncake Gift Set, crafted with halal ingredients for indulgence with peace of mind. This collection draws inspiration from the culinary heritage of founder and chef Edwin Chan’s great-grandparents’ Cantonese Theset features three premium flavours, each pairing a delicate balance of textures, aromas and tastes, handcrafted with the finest ingredients to create an unforgettable festive experience. Salted Egg Yolk Mooncake A refined elevation of the classic Lotus Paste Mooncake. Beneath its delicate snowskin lies a molten salted egg yolk lava centre, offering a rich, savoury depth that balances the natural sweetness of lotus paste. A sprinkle of crispy pumpkin seeds adds texture, creating a truly indulgent bite. Pandan Gula Melaka Mooncake Inspired by the Golden Emerald Mooncake, this modern twist blends fragrant pandan lotus paste with a salted gula Melaka and pandan lava centre. The floral notes of pandan meet the caramelised sweetness restaurant Yook Woo Hin. A symphony of flavours A popular eatery has become a must-visit spot for locals and foreign visitors, thanks to its signature dish lontong darat , also known as lontong kering . The shop’s owner Suriani Hassan, 36, said the number of customers usually spikes during weekends, public holidays and school breaks compared with weekdays. Originally from Johor Bahru, Suriani took over her father-in-law’s eatery in 2010. However, it was only eight years ago that she introduced lontong darat to the menu, seeing an opportunity as few eateries were serving the dish at the time, especially with the range of side orders she offers. “We serve lontong darat in several sets – ‘single’ with one side dish, kahwin dua , madu tiga and the ‘special’ with four side dishes. Customers can choose from chicken or beef rendang, sambal paru , quail eggs sambal, cockles sambal and squid sambal. “Many customers have only heard of lontong darat , so they’re eager to try it. Prices range from RM8 for the ‘single’ set to RM18 for the ‘special’ set for those who want a variety,” she said. The mother of two, assisted by six workers, admitted that the main challenge comes during peak hours when service can slow down. To overcome this, she and her husband Hairel Abdul Rahman, 42, often step in to help serve customers directly. According to Suriani, the eatery attracts not just locals but also foreign tourists from Sweden, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei, many of whom stop by before heading to the islands off Mersing. “We also host motorcycle convoys, travellers heading to the East Coast, and receive orders from government and private agencies, as well as the palace.

Suriani says the number of customers usually spikes during weekends, public holidays and school breaks compared with weekdays.– PICS FROM BERNAMA

on Fridays – also offers a wide range of equally popular dishes. These include soto kaki ayam letup , bihun sup , lontong laut , roti canai , traditional cakes and the best-selling nasi lemak with various side dishes. Suriani also plans to expand the menu further by introducing additional side dishes, fried snacks and satay in the mornings as part of her effort to strengthen the Johor cuisine concept at her shop. “I want customers not only to enjoy the food but also to experience the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of Mersing through Johor’s culinary variety. Insya Allah, we will be adding more solid menu items soon,” she said. With its unique offerings, Lontong Darat Viral Mersing has become a top choice for local patrons and international tourists, further boosting the food and tourism scene in the district. – Bernama

The eatery offers lontong darat in several sets – ‘single’ with one side dish, kahwin dua , madu tiga and the ‘special’ with four side dishes.

discover us after our lontong darat went viral on TikTok’s For You Page,” she said. Besides lontong darat , the shop – which operates daily from 7am to 12.30pm except

“During school holidays, demand is overwhelming. If food runs out early, we will prepare more so as not to disappoint customers who travel long distances. Many

Celebrate Mid-Autumn festival with three mooncake flavours

Salted Egg Yolk Mooncake.

of pal sugar, with a hint of salt to heighten the flavours – a distinctly Malaysian interpretation that is comforting and innovative. Matcha B ean Mooncake A contemporary take on the traditional Red Bean Mooncake. Earthy Japanese matcha lava pairs seamlessly with the sweetness of red bean paste, while a smooth black sesame lava core introduces a nutty savoury complexity. The result is a harmonious balance of bitterness, sweetness and nuttiness.

The collection is priced at RM138 and each set comes with six pieces of mooncakes.