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    19 September 2012| last updated at 02:20AM

    Enjoy 'nasi ambeng' at Pondok Pondok

    By CHUAH BEE KIM | johor@nst.com.my

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    ECONOMICAL AND WHOLESOME: ‘Nasi ambeng’ is sold between RM5 and RM5.50, depending on the side dish to go with

      JOHOR BARU: FANCY a meal of nasi ambeng? Head to the Pondok Pondok Cafe, located at Jalan Pendidikan 6 in Taman Universiti, here, which is below the SAF Academy. 

      Cafe owner Suriani Mohd Isa, 40, from Kuala Kedah in Kedah, said she decided to join her husband Fazli Arman, 45, in the  food business.

      "Fazli was a reporter  before he quit  to go into business.  He tried several trades before the current venture.

      "We served Western meals when we first started the business three months ago but we took a break  during Ramadan  and the Hari Raya celebration, and have recently re-opened. We  serve only nasi ambeng (a dish of Javanese origin) and bone marrow 'gearbox soup'," Suriani said.

      Suriani, a mother of six children aged from seven to 17, said they decided to change the menu after two of the chefs left.

      "However, we  plan to bring back Western meals later.  We may even expand the business after a month or two as the existing shop can accommodate only about 20  patrons," she said.

      Suriani, who is also the executive director of SAF Academy, which is owned by Saf Corporation Sdn Bhd, and offers courses such as hospitality, media and culinary, among others.

      "SAF Academy started operations three years ago. Upon completion of their course, some of the SAF graduates are offered employment as staff at the cafe.

      "Our cafe caters to students and staff of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and nearby residents," she added.

      Nasi ambeng, which features steamed white rice, fried noodles, fried salted fish, spicy sambal belacan, coconut floss and vegetable pickles comprising tempe, cabbage and lady's fingers, is sold between RM5 and RM5.50 depending on whether patrons want ayam masak merah, ayam rendang or fried chicken to go with the meal.

      The restaurant is open daily from 11am to 3.30pm.  It closes on Sundays.

      Meanwhile, the academy also offers one-day pastry classes for the public.

      For enquiries, call Suriani at 013-734 4838.

    The signboard is not up yet but Pondok Pondok Cafe is located at the ground floor of the SAF Academy in Taman Universiti.

    Suriani Mohd Isa showing the nasi ambeng, the signature dish at Pondok Pondok Cafe.

    There are plans to expand Pondok Pondok Cafe to accommodate more customers. Pix by Roslan Khamis

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