BY GABRIEL LIHAN
KUCHING: It’s the time of the year when Muslims across the world observe the holy month of Ramadan when they fast during the day and break their fast only in the evening.
As in previous years, except for the two-year lull brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic when everything was scaled back, many eateries have now started preparing and offering special breaking-of-fast menus.
At Cafe Dipom here, they will be serving one of their specialties that is the Umai Jeg.
Umai Jeg, which directly translated means “mix” is a traditional Melanau dish, which comprises fish, white onions, green lemons, chillies, and a pinch of ajinomoto for flavour.
Once it is mixed together it gives a mouth-watering appetite to dig in immediately!
This menu is Cafe Dipom’s specialty for Ramadan, and its the first time it is offering it since it opened three years ago.
When asked Siti Athirah, 32 a staff there, who is also a Melanau, politely replied “I learned how to make this dish from my friend”.
A single serving of Umai Jeg can be eaten by two persons, at a cost of RM15.
Meanwhile, aside from the Umai Jeg, the cafe also offers two set menus for Ramadan.
Set A offers, siakap fish cooked in either steamed ginger or sweet and sour. As for the chicken, customers can either indulge in butter, black pepper or ginger.
Set A can be eaten by two to three persons at a price of RM49. Cafe Dipom also offers in its Set A menu, vegetables such as midin, cangkuk manis, and mixed vegetables. Alongside its main dish, there will be eggs, rice, kurma, and syrup cordial drink.
As for Set B, if customers want to bring more friends and family to eat at Cafe Dipom, they may do so and it’s only RM79 for four to six people.
Set B however, also offers the same menu except, for its additional dried chilies cooked together with squids and shrimps. Customers may choose to have them fried with flour or butter as well. This set menu B also features tomyam soup or hot and sour soup.
Customers may decide to have one of them. Similar to Set A, rice, kurma and syrup cordial drink is offered in the menu.
The chef behind the food is Chef Das Bitta, 54, originally from Kampung Tabuan Dayak with 30 years of cooking experience.
The spokesperson for the cafe, Nur Atikah said this promotion is only from April 4 to 30 and that prior bookings must be made due to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the capacity of the cafe being for 40 to 50 persons only.
Cafe Dipom is located at Lorong 6, Section 10 KTLD, Jalan Nanas.
Early bookings can be made by calling 01165235399.
