Sedap Corner for a cosy Iftar buffet

 

The very name, Sedap Corner, evokes a sense of comfort and the love for familiar food simply because Sedap Corner has been keeping the tradition of serving Johor delicacies and family favourites since 1987.

 

A section of the dessert counter at 
Sedap Corner's Iftar buffet

I arrived for the media preview of their Iftar buffet and was in the dining hall at the rear section of the flagship Sedap Corner café where the culinary team was still busy with setting up the buffet spread.

 

I am familiar with the cuisine at Sedap Corner and eagerly anticipated the pleasure of enjoying a buffet of all-time favourites in addition to items prepared for the breaking-of-fast buffet.

 

As a fan of Sedap Corner, I have documented the Sedap Corner story among brands that were proudly established in Johor in My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, the final instalment that completed the trilogy of My Johor Stories books.

 

Mrs Lam ensured that food taste and
quality standards were maintained
  

My eyes were riveted to the trays of lovely local kueh arranged below a giant poster of the original building for this flagship outlet with logo and tagline, “The tradition lives on,” printed on it.

 

When I turned the corner of this L-shaped dessert counter, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mrs Lam there.

 

While she looked older than when we last met, Mrs Lam, the mother of Executive Director of Sedap Corner, Alisa Lamlertkittikul, was still as graceful and very alert.

 

I watched as she meticulously tasted the buffet servings of warm Bubur Pulut Hitam or black glutinous rice sweet porridge, refreshing Iced Jelly and Sago Gula Melaka and turned to give her comments to a culinary staff, next to her.

 

Grilled seafood from a live station

When she had completed her tasks, Mrs Lam, a gracious lady of Thai origin named Apimon, warmly welcomed me and reminded me to taste everything so as to give constructive feedback to Alisa, for the team to make any necessary improvements.

 

“Everything…,” This thought lingered as I pondered upon her request to taste everything in the buffet, ready to oblige as this spread was just right for a leisurely breaking-of-fast meal where dining was not only tasty but affordable and simply unrushed.

 

A fresh serving of Mee Bandung

I joined Mrs Lam at the outdoor terrace where stalls were arranged on one side while a row of banquet tables opposite, was arranged with a hot buffet.

 

I spotted the ingredients that should go into serving Johor Laksa and correctly concluded that this stall served bowls of Laksa Johor and Mee Bandung. Other popular Johor dishes served on rotation include Mee Rebus and Soto Ayam.

 

The fragrance of seafood being grilled drew me closer to see squid, prawns and siakap fish on the grill, ready to be savoured topped with a choice of Thai seafood sauce, sambal kicap and panggang sauce.

 

I was delighted to learn that the skewers of tender Chicken and Beef satay and spicy Peanut Sauce were prepared in Sedap Corner’s own recipes.

 

Traditional sambal sauces to drizzle on salads

Their signature dishes served from the live stations were Fried Mee Siam and Beef Kway Teow, flat rice noodles topped with delicious beef gravy complete with slices of beef.

 

Two types of Sedap Corner’s signature noodles will be served on rotation and they include Mee Goreng Mamak, Penang Fried Kway Teow and Radna Kway Teow.

 

Among the gravies to savour with steamed white rice and Briyani Rice were Beef Rendang, Ayam Masak Merah (chicken), Daging Lemak Cili Api (beef), Oriental Ginger Fish slices, Siakap Asam Pedas (fish), Sambal Longbeans, Telur Dadar (egg omelet) and Tom Yam Chicken Soup as well as Thai-style Egg Tofu Salad.

 

Mouth-watering gravies to savour
with rice from the hot buffet
 

In addition to the meat, poultry and fish dishes in the hot buffet, there were salad vegetables to drizzle with a choice of traditional sambal sauces like sambal belacan, budu and cincalok.

 

I liked that popular appetizers were served in small portions for diners to enjoy freshly-fried Cucur Udang, prawn fritters with a side of sweet chili sauce, Cha-kueh rojak in petis sauce and Gado-Gado, vegetables topped with spicy peanut sauce.

 

For the young and young-at-heart, there were non-spicy choices like Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Nuggets and French Fries.

 

I was impressed that while this was a small spread, everything that was essential for a full meal, was all here for diners to savour for the breaking-of-fast.

 

[Clockwise] Appetizers of snacks like Cucur
Udang, Cha-kueh Rojak and Gado-Gado
 

The drinks counter was set up indoors, along with the dessert section that featured a spread of Sedap Corner’s range of local kueh, cupcakes and cubes of baked cakes, puddings and cut fresh fruits.

 

The drink dispensers served hot beverages like Coffee and Tea, while the cold drinks included Iced Lemon Tea and Iced Mango juice.

 

Besides their signature kueh Sri Muka, there were popular kueh like Rainbow Lapis, Bingka Ubi, Koswi, Dangai, Bakar Pandan and Talam Ubi.

 

There were also savoury snacks like Spring Rolls and Samosa along with neatly cut, small portions of Brownies and Red Velvet cake.

 

Ais Kacang and Cendol
icy treats

Chef Azri Ismail was all smiles when we met and assured me that the menu will be served on rotation for diners to enjoy a different dining experience throughout the Ramadan month.

 

Then I was reminded that Ais Kacang and Cendol will be prepared upon receiving orders so diners should go to the counter to place their orders and the staff will send these freshly-made icy treats to the table.

 

The Iftar Buffet will be served at the Sedap Corner flagship outlet from March 7 till March 28, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. A space upstairs is prepared for Maghrib prayers.

 

Priced at RM85 nett for adult and RM53 nett for children, aged six to 12 years, and seniors, aged 60 years and above, while kids aged below six will eat for Free.

 

Take advantage of Early Bird promotion at RM75 nett for vouchers bought from now till March 6, 2025.

 

Sedap Corner café is located at No. 11 Jalan Abdul Samad, Kampung Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor.

 

For reservations, Tel: +607 224 6566, +6011 1137 7652 and +6017 760 5679.

 

For info updates on Sedap Corner, follow official pages on Facebook and Instagram or visit website: sedapcorner.com.my.