MERSING: A popular eatery here has become a must-visit spot for both locals and 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 to 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 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 told Bernama recently.
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.
“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 discover us after our lontong darat went viral on TikTok’s For You Page (FYP),” she said.
Besides lontong darat, the shop — which operates daily from 7 am to 12.30 pm except 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 both local patrons and international tourists, further boosting the food and tourism scene in the district. – BERNAMA
