Sarawak is famed for its traditional layered cakes, or kek lapis, with tourists from around the world coming here specifically to buy them.
Over the years, the delicacy has evolved in flavour and design, with bakers adding modern twists while keeping the familiar look and feel. The same approach is taken by Abg K’ju Cake House, which continues to experiment with new combinations — including its viral Kek Lapis Sultan, priced at RM1,800.
Owned by 38-year-old Mohd Adhar Brahim, the cake house has built a name in the luxury kek lapis market. For Adhar, the work is personal: he is a cake enthusiast who pays close attention to every layer, and every detail.
His interest began at home. During festive seasons, his mother would bake kek lapis, filling the house with the rich aroma of freshly baked layers. As a child, he watched closely as she prepared each layer with care, learning early that the cake demands patience and precision to achieve the right texture and flavour.
That childhood fascination later became ambition. Adhar eventually set his sights on owning a cake house, with a clear goal — to explore as many flavour possibilities as he could.
Today, Abg K’ju Cake House is no stranger to attention for high-priced cakes. Adhar previously introduced two luxury options at RM1,700 each: Black Royale Truffle and Baklava. However, the Kek Lapis Sultan, priced even higher, drew renewed public interest, with many questioning how a familiar delicacy could command such a figure.
Adhar said the price reflects both the technique and the ingredients.
“The Kek Lapis Sultan costs RM1,800 because of the intricacy of baking one, and also the ingredients involved are all imported,” he said.
“It is also by far the most complex cake we have created, with each layer requiring 30 minutes to bake.”
He explained that the baking process requires constant attention, as even slight differences in temperature or measurement can affect the final result.
“If it is baked slightly more than the supposed time, it will lose its moisture, and the top layer could burn, making it a challenge to remain consistent in producing a complex cake,” he added.
Adhar also noted that one Kek Lapis Sultan uses one kilogramme of Wijsman butter, and that a full tray weighs more than five kilogrammes.
Beyond the work behind it, he said the cake is designed to deliver a specific tasting experience. Customers, he added, would not fully appreciate the flavours if they ate it layer by layer, or all at once.
“It is recommended to eat it in two parts, where the top half features the pistachio layers, which give a modern-classic flavour, while the bottom half carries a hazelnut caramel macchiato profile,” he said.
He added that the idea behind the cake was to evoke the nostalgic taste of traditional kek lapis, while offering a modern twist that is not easily found elsewhere.
The 10-layer cake was not created overnight. Adhar said it took a year of experimentation to achieve the final version.
“The research and development (R&D) process for the cake took a year, during which I created more than 30 different versions,” he said.
“At one point, our chiller was filled with them, and we had to sell the cakes to avoid any waste.”
After testing countless combinations, he said he finally achieved the flavour profile he wanted. By this year’s Ramadan, the recipe was ready to be offered to the public.
“A full tray of Kek Lapis Sultan costs RM1,800, half-trays for RM910, loaf sizes for RM310, and half-loaves for RM160, and ‘bite-sized’ pieces at RM9.50 each,” he said.
Despite the attention on the price tag, Adhar said he hopes the public will see the work and creativity behind each cake.
“Abg K’ju Cake House has already gained recognition for being the most expensive in the area, but I would like the public to know that each of my cakes reflects its own hard work, creativity, and story,” he said.
“I hope people will appreciate my hard work in creating this art form.”
He said the target market for the Kek Lapis Sultan includes food lovers and kek lapis enthusiasts looking for new flavours, and who do not mind paying more for something unique.
At the cake house, Sarawak Tribune also spoke to a customer, 21-year-old student Muhamad Aqail Mokhtar, who lives nearby.
Aqail said he regularly buys cakes from Abg K’ju Cake House because the taste is distinctive and difficult to find elsewhere. After discovering the shop on TikTok, his visits became almost routine, especially before returning to his hometown, as his family quickly became fans after their first taste.
“Every time I return to Johor during semester or festive breaks, my mum would ask me to buy a lot for our family, the neighbours, and also friends,” he said, with his basket filled with assorted cakes while speaking to his mother on the phone.
While he admitted the price may surprise first-time buyers, he believes it matches the quality and flavour.
“Even though the testers could cost RM9 per piece, I would say it is affordable considering the unique taste, which is a price I would pay for the experience,” he said.
“Who could have thought the bite-sized cake could bring a rich, unique flavour? I was impressed as it melts in my mouth so nicely.”
Aqail added that the cake house lives up to its slogan, “Taste The Difference”, saying even the more common flavours taste noticeably different from those sold elsewhere.
Besides its luxury cakes, Abg K’ju Cake House also offers more affordable options, allowing more people to sample its layered cake creations, along with a wide range of other confectioneries.
