KUALA LUMPUR: A restaurant owner found a unique way to show his love for the country by offering a lunch buffet for only RM10 throughout this National Month.
Through the Merdeka Buffet Lunch promotion offered at Mr Boom Naan Corner Restaurant 1983 at AU5, Keramat, here, diners will get the chance of indulging in 25 to 30 varieties of delectable dishes.
Parwiz Kaur, 62, said the effort was initiated to provide low-income earners of all races with an affordable option of an extensive menu at his restaurant every Monday through Friday, from Aug 1 to 31.
"I have been in this business for 40 years. Buffet prices at restaurants and hotels are usually anything but cheap, with most of them costing hundreds of ringgit.
"So, this is an opportunity for the underprivileged to enjoy a range of tasty dishes in a relaxed setting during this National Month," he told Bernama.
According to Parwiz, a variety of Malay dishes, such as ikan masak kicap, ketam masam manis, bambo lala, ikan kembung masak lemak cili api, ikan patin masak tempoyak, cucur and a special menu of fried naan bread or Bhatura eaten with dhal and keema, are available from 11.30am to 3pm.
"This menu will change every day. All of the dishes are cooked by two chefs and their two assistants from as early as 8am, using my very own recipes.
"Customers can eat whatever they want as long as they don't waste it, and if they do, there will be additional fees. Even though this promotion is being held for the first time, Alhamdulillah, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and most people are happy with it," he said.
Parwiz said customers will be entertained with live performances by buskers while enjoying the buffet, with the Jalur Gemilang proudly hoisted and flying at every corner of the restaurant, which can seat up to 700 people at a time.
He also assured customers of the quality of the food at his restaurant, saying that they prepare each dish with great care and source their own raw materials from suppliers.
"I will personally go to the field to get supplies of raw materials directly from the farm.
"Due to the rising prices of raw materials, I will not go to the market so I can afford to offer a buffet at such a low price and still be able to make a profit," he said, adding that the price does not include drinks.
Parwiz also said that he planned to extend the buffet promotion on Aug 31 from as early as 7am to 11pm, with a very special price that will be revealed on social media later.
Meanwhile, Ruzillah Md Ariff, a 62-year-old customer, praised the restaurant owner's effort while expressing her satisfaction with both the quality and the portion of the meal served.
"It's a good effort, given how pricey buffets usually are. You can't get it any lower than this. Even though the price is only RM10, every meal is of good quality and well worth the money. Everything is delicious," she said.
Zubaidah Yusoff, 53, said she was intrigued by the buffet after seeing the promotion that went viral on social media.
"I saw the promotion on TikTok yesterday. I decided to bring my family and friends to try it out today. All the food is delicious," said the food trader. – Bernama