Royal approval for apple pie

Mariam Hassan’s apple pies are served in royal households in Johor, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Singapore and Brunei! PEGGY LOH finds out why.

Kak Mariam and her awesome apple pie

WHAT goes into an apple pie that has gone beyond our shores to grace the tables of royalty?  Generous portions of fresh apples, a dash of cinnamon, sugar, butter and Mariam Hassan’s secret ingredients, baked to perfection in an ancient Dutch recipe.

For more than 20 years, Mariam has been baking apple pies for the Johor royal household. The pies are also sent to the royal houses of Selangor and Pahang and more recently, to Kelantan, Singapore and even Brunei!

But you needn’t be royalty to taste this awesome apple pie. Just go to the DM Bakery & Café in Mersing, opened more than a year ago to offer local and western favourites in a friendly kopitiam setting.  With Mariam’s son, Sallehudin Sheikh Ahmad Nordin and his wife, Siti Quozaimah Ishak, taking care of operations, DM (Dapur Mariam) is fast gaining a loyal clientele in Mersing and beyond.



What’s Cooking

Ask for signature dishes like nasi lemak kukus and nonya laksa prepared with Mariam’s special Penang recipe. Or enjoy a chicken chop and fish and chips. Round off your meal with a cup of hot local coffee and a wedge of apple pie served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Wedge of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream

As the warm buttery pastry crumbles in your mouth, taste the tangy apple slices with the contrasting chill of vanilla ice-cream. When you savour this delightful dessert, you will soon understand why it has gained right royal approval!


Getting There

DM Bakery & Café is situated at 91-1, Jalan Jemaluang, the trunk road from Johor Baru to Mersing.

Open daily from 7.30am to 10.30pm, its abbreviated name, DM, is affectionately referred to as “Depan Mobil” because it is located directly opposite a Mobil service station! For reservations and advance orders for apple pie, call 07-799 5737 or Siti Quozaimah Ishak, better known as Que, on 012-767 9909.

The article was first published in The New Straits Times, Travel Times on 21 May 2007

Latest Update:  DM Bakery & Cafe has ceased operations but Mariam's apple pies are still available exclusively through orders. Tel: +6012 727 4484.