Kedai Ikhbal: a Malaysian eatery fosters community through breakfast
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Ikhbal Ahmad, a 66-year-old owner in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, runs Kedai Ikhbal, a breakfast eatery where many customers have become like family after 25 years in business.
Some patrons travel from as far as Johor and Kuala Lumpur to eat at the shop, which Ikhbal estimates serves around 1,000 customers daily.
The eatery’s appeal lies in its affordable prices, nasi lemak starts at RM1 and kuih at 50 sen, and its simple menu of Malaysian breakfast staples like kuey teow and roti canai. Ikhbal has observed that his shop attracts people from all ethnic groups, who often share tables and conversation. He believes that sharing a meal helps people overcome differences and creates happiness.
He operates the shop with assistance from his family and nine employees, some of whom have worked there for years. Customers like Syafiq Abdullah and M Talayan appreciate the shop’s inclusive atmosphere and affordability. An 82-year-old regular, Pang Woo Waan, visits with his wife several times a week, enjoying the nasi lemak and a sense of community reminiscent of older neighbourhood life.
On a typical day, Kedai Ikhbal sells between 1,200 and 1,300 packets of nasi lemak, increasing to around 1,700 on busy weekends and holidays.
