Ah Mat Cafe in Jalan Che Tak, Ipoh. — Photos: BERNAMA
“Pak Jabit, nak mee kari... kuah laksa” (Pak Jabit, I’d like to have curry noodles... with laksa gravy) is a notable line from Yah Kuchai in the film Kampung Pisang Bersiri-Siri directed by the late Mamat Khalid.
The delectable Mee Kari Kuah Laksa, previously only seen on screen, can now be savoured at Ah Mat Kafe run by Nor Sara Mohamad, 32, daughter of the renowned filmmaker.
Nor Sara added the dish to the menu because she wanted her father’s fans to be able to sample the dish he had created.
“There’s a story behind this. Papa said it was a dish that kids often ordered in school canteens in the 1970s.
“Kids would order mee kuning (yellow egg noodle), which is typically served with curry, but instead eat it with kuah asam laksa (hot and sour fish-based gravy),” she told Bernama at her cafe in Jalan Che Tak in Ipoh, Perak.
The eatery decorated with old film posters and memorabilia. — Photos: BERNAMA
Nor Sara said the cafe, which had been operating since June, was inspired by her father, who had wanted to open a second branch of their Sarang Art Hub cafe.
“My father wanted Ipoh folks to bask in the ambience of our cafe Sarang Art Hub in Tanjung Malim.
“After Papa died, I continued this idea, but on a smaller scale due to labour constraints,” she said, adding that the cafe also sold special dishes like lempeng kelapa, lontong darat and nasi lemak ayam rendang.
Nor Sara said the cafe she ran with her 35-year-old husband Amirul Ariff Abdul Wahab, was named after their one-and-a-half-year-old son Mohamad Ehsan Khalid.
Nor Sara with Mee Kari Kuah Laksa at Ah Mat Cafe.
On the Mee Kari Kuah Laksa sold for RM8.50 per bowl, Nor Sara said the gravy was from a recipe created by her mother, who took pleasure in making laksa, one of her father’s favourite dishes.
A bowl of Mee Kari Kuah Laksa consists of yellow egg noodles served with northern-style asam laksa and condiments such as pineapple, fish ball, hard-boiled egg, lettuce and fresh lime wedges.
The cafe also has a retro vibe, the walls adorned with film posters including those from Mamat Khalid’s films, as well as photographs and items from his personal collection.
Customers at the cafe can also enjoy a playlist of wistful Malay tunes from the ’70s through the ’90s.
The noodle dish and lempeng kelapa.
Nor Sara said she intended to expand her business and extend its operating hours to cater to more customers.
“For now, the cafe is open from 9am to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
“We can probably extend our operation until the night and add more food items to the menu if there is enough manpower and capital,” said Nor Sara, who is assisted by four staff.
Mamat, whose real name was Mohamad Mohamad Khalid, died on Oct 24, 2021 at the age of 58. His filmography included Zombi Kampung Pisang, the Hantu Kak Limah series, the Rock trilogy and 18 Puasa di Kampong Pisang.
