“Phang caters for M’sian palate in Amsterdam”

Phang caters for M’sian palate in Amsterdam

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian walks down the streets of Amsterdam on a wet cold day, wishing how nice it would be to indulge in a glass of hot 'teh tarik' along with the 'roti canai' in a warm cozy restaurant like back home.

LIKE A FAMILY: Phang smiling and happily serving the Malaysia media staff in his restaurant at Kloveniersburgwal road, Amsterdam. — Bernama photo

And the wish is soon granted at the 35-seater Nyonya Malaysian Restaurant along the Kloveniersburgwal street that serves hot tantalising cuisine to any Malaysian's liking.

The restaurant which is open daily is the pride of Phang Man Wai, 44, a Malaysian from Kuantan and boasts for 1Malaysia offerings like rendang, kangkung belacan, tomyam, sambal petai udang, satay, nasi lemak, char kway teow and many more.

Opening its doors in September 2005, the restaurant now sees over 120 customers daily from all walks of life and nationalities.

"I was 22 years old when I decided to come here. My brother was working here then. I worked a few years at Chinese restaurants here before opening my own one in the city's Chinatown in 1998," he said this to the writer who happened to drop in at his place while in Amsterdam recently.

However, Phang wanted to introduce Malaysian cuisines and thus he moved to a different street renting a small outlet in a building owned by the government for 850 euros per month (1 euro=RM3.90).

Phang is assisted by his Hong Kong born wife Lisa and three kitchen helpers.

He has no problems in sourcing the raw ingredients to prepare the food as the ingredients are available from the nearby oriental market.

In fact, not only Malaysians and locals, there are also Indonesians and other Europeans coming to his restaurant to savour the spicy and delicious cuisines.

The regulars from Malaysia have grown fond of Phang and affectionately refer to the father of two girls as 'abang' (brother).

"It is interesting to see them eating nasi lemak, and the spicy offerings like asam pedas and sambal petai," said a radiant Phang who has made a lot of friends with those who frequented his restaurant.

Phang has invested about RM600,000 for his outlet and looking at the potential he is hoping to open a second and bigger restaurant.

The Nyonya Malaysian Restaurant spread is generous in its pricing that ranges from four euros to 18 euros and the eatery is well patronised by Malaysians in Amsterdam, including dignitaries.

Glancing through the menu, the sambal telor priced at one euro, satay ayam (4 sticks) at five euros, gado gado at 8.50 euros, sambal petai at 10 euros, mee goreng, nasi goreng, nasi goreng pattaya, nasi lemak, mee siam, char kway teow, Hainanese chicken rice, chicken curry and chicken rendang, each at 11 euros.

The beef rendang is priced at 13 euros, fish curry, sour fish and sambal petai sotong at 13.50 euros respectively while kangkung sambal belacan sotong is priced at 14.50 euros. Last but not least, the 'teh tarik' costs two euros and a sip of the drink reminds Malaysians in Amsterdam of the wonderful life back home.

Phang too is probably nostalgic of Malaysia and he returns home thrice a year to visit his aging parents, each time closing temporarily his restaurant. — Bernama