Sedap reason for going back to Masai-chusetts

For 13 years, my parents were based in Masai when they were transferred to work with the Government Health Sub-Centre to provide healthcare in and around that area.

Back in the old days, homemade kueh was sold
by peddling vendors such as this...

Masai was but a shanty town, served by one main road and Pasir Gudang was then a fishing village that was just starting to be developed into Johor Port.

The memories of living in the Government quarters within the compound of the Health Sub-Centre, the interactions with friendly villagers and our parents’ patients who became our family friends, are experiences forever engraved in my mind.

This and other exciting anecdotes are documented under Memories in my story, Going back to Masai-chusetts, in my 2017 bestseller, *My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage.

Facade of the Sedap Corner at Kota Masai

At my dad’s retirement from the Health Department, our family moved back to Johor Baru but we stayed in touch with the folks in Masai and made frequent visits, sometimes just for a drive to see how the town and surrounding sites were being developed.

As Johor Port was established, the nearest town – Masai – also expanded, not only with residential and commercial properties, but also with new businesses that supported the shipping industry.

By 2020, the Masai of today has developed beyond recognition while Jalan Sekolah – where the Balai Raya and the Health Sub-Centre with quarters are located – is still there.

With the passing years, most of my parents’ friends there have also passed on and now there is little reason to visit Masai again.

A range of Sedap Corner signature kueh mueh
 

In a recent chat with Alisa Lamlertkittikul, Executive Director with Sedap Corner, she was happy to share with me the latest update about their family’s restaurant business.

Earlier, Alisa had informed me that their new direction was to replace the outlets in the malls with new openings at strategic spots, and the first was planned for Masai.

“Our outlet in Masai-chusetts is finally open!” she declared happily – borrowing my name for Masai used in my story, Going back to Masai-chusetts.

Much had gone into setting up this restaurant in Kota Masai and she went on to tell me more about its soft opening on Oct 28.

A section of diners in Sedap Corner Kota Masai

The Sedap Corner brand, established in Johor Baru since 1987, has garnered a host of fans and with this new opening, diners don’t have to go to the flagship restaurant at Jalan Abdul Samad to enjoy a taste of their favourite Asian food, local kueh and cookies.

Now fans of their food and snacks in the Masai-Pasir Gudang area, can have easy access to this all-day-dining menu at Sedap Corner Kota Masai because the menu served here is identical to that of the flagship restaurant.

It is easy to spot the new place because the Sedap Corner brand is easily identified by its logo of an open wok or kwali designed in a bright corporate colour and is supported by its tagline, “The tradition lives on!”

The tradition of familiar Asian food and snacks truly lives on here as diners can enjoy a taste of nostalgia and be transported back to a bygone era.

Another section of diners in
Sedap Corner Kota Masai 

Alisa explained that dining at their Kota Masai restaurant will take diners back to the old days when life was much simpler – and I agreed with her – but she went on to show me how they have created interactive wall murals for diners to take photo mementoes.

In this age of modern technology where handphones are also cameras, these colourful murals with a touch of nostalgia, will certainly make interesting photo backdrops for diners here.

The décor here also shares the corporate identity as their flagship outlet, complete with square and rectangle tables topped with a mosaic of ceramic tiles, matched with wooden chairs.

A mural that reminds us that 
"The Tradition Lives On," at Sedap Corner

A familiar range of local kueh-mueh hygienically stored within glass showcases and choices of baked cookies in sealed jars are also available.

Even in the few days since its soft opening, this new outlet has been filled with diners who were (probably) curious to check out this new place but (I am quite sure!) after they have tasted the Sedap Corner flavours, they would very likely become regulars here.

My heartiest congratulations to Sedap Corner on your new opening in Kota Masai!

Now I have a good reason for going back to Masai-chusetts!

Sedap Corner Kota Masai (Halal) is located at No. 28 Jalan Ekoperniagaan 1, Taman Kota Masai, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor. Opening Daily from 11am to 11pm for dine-in and takeaways.

*Note: The My Johor Stories series of books are available from MPH bookstores nationwide and online from website: mphonline.