A LEISURELY drive past Rumah Hijau Cafe is all it takes to spot this unique green-painted eatery along Rubber Road.
EASY TO SPOT: The cafe’s green colour stands out in Rubber Road.
Ever since opening its doors in February, 2009, this popular café has become a thriving business, so popular with its customers that a reservation is highly recommended, particularly during peak hours.
Whether you’re a regular or newcomer, one thing’s for certain — the dining experience is definitely a satisfying one, from the variety of popular Malaysian dishes available, including the irresistible breakfast staple of roti canai as well as the absolutely delightful nasi ayam penyet guaranteed to satisfy all foodies, to the highly efficient service from the staff.
The success of this quaint eatery can be attributed to founder Salina Salleh’s efforts in creating an up-to-par dining experience for customers.
She told thesundaypost it was due to her love for food and cooking that all the dishes being prepared made use of only the freshest and best ingredients.
The bubbly self-proclaimed foodie credited her culinary passion to her mum who taught her everything there is to know about cooking.
“I was surrounded by different styles of cooking and it was through my mum I learnt to cook popular hawker food such as Indian rojak and curry mee,” she said, revealing that these two dishes were the only two main ones available when she first opened the cafe.
Initially, Salina had not intended to set up an eatery as she was more keen on starting her very own spa business.
“Well, that plan didn’t work out because after some research, I realised opening a spa here was not very profitable.
“But I already paid a deposit for the house and it was not refundable, so for a while, I was in a dilemma,” she recalled.
Salina, an architect by profession, who took over her father’s transportation business — Teras Transportation — after he fell ill, was encouraged by her husband to turn the house into a cafe.
“He told me ‘your cooking is very nice, why don’t you open a cafe since you know how to cook’ but I was hesitant because I was already so busy with my father’s business.
“But it was either I forfeited the deposit or took a risk with the cafe, so I ofted for the latter.”
The gamble has paid off. Rumah Hijau Cafe is packed with customers everyday and considered one of the most popular eateries in town.
In a space of two years, Salina has to expand the cafe to meet growing demand, and by November this year, another expansion will take place.
She reminisced: “When we first started, it was all very simple. We renovated the place and painted it green while the menu comprised only Indian rojak, curry mee and roti canai. I didn’t even have a name for the place.
“But one day, I overheard one of my customers — many of whom heard of the cafe through word of mouth — on the phone telling his friend the direction to the cafe and calling it the ‘green house’. It was there and then I realised the colour of the cafe had become an identity with my customers. So I named it Rumah Hijau Cafe.”
From then on, the cafe expanded while more dishes were added such as Penang asam laksa, nasi briyani, nasi ulam ayam percik, and the highly popular nasi ayam penyet, just to name a few.
On what made Rumah Hijau Cafe clicked with Sarawakians, the down-to-earth lady said this was probably due to the food and the ambiance.
“I think my customers enjoy the food here not only because of the taste and presentation but also the dining experience. I’ve received comments from customers that whenever they eat here, they feel so comfortable as though they’re eating in the comfort of their own home,” said the enterprising Salina, who plans to open another branch this year.
She is now also looking into franschising after some of her customers approached her on the potential of growing her bustling eatery.
Though luck and timing have played a large part in Salina’s first foray in the F&B industry, they are certainly not the only contributors.
She has worked hard and made the most of the opportunities that came her way.
Her success has been achieved because she remains true to herself and her background.