Whipping up His Majesty’s favourites

Chan whipping up the sizzling venison, one of Sultan Muhammad V’s favourite dishes. — Bernama

The pleasing and down-to-earth personality of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, endears him to people from all walks of life.

Four Season Restaurant owner Chan Khek Jun who has been operating his restaurant for almost two decades said one of his most regrettable memories was when he was unable to set up a table for Sultan Muhammad V on a busy day.

Chan said that he “felt bad” but the Sultan apologised for coming into the restaurant unannounced and putting the restaurant owner in an awkward situation.

“I remember that day. The restaurant was packed with customers and even the VVIP room was not spared. When the Sultan learnt that the room was occupied, he apologised for not making a reservation,” Chan said at his restaurant in Jalan Sri Cemerlang in Kota Baru.

Chan said Sultan Muhammad V patronised the restaurant from 2000 when he was still the Crown Prince. He would come without any protocol and would not request for a special table.

“Usually, he would come after the Isyak prayers together with the then Tengku Bendahara of Kelantan Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra (now acting Sultan of Kelantan), members of the royal family and some friends,” he said.

Some of Sultan Muhammad V’s favourite dishes are the grouper with soya sauce and shrimp cooked in fresh milk (below). — Bernama

Chan said the Sultan was usually clad in a white robe and would greet and shake hands with customers in the restaurant.

“The Sultan never requested for special cutlery and would use the available forks, spoons and plates in the restaurant,” he said.

Chan added that the Sultan liked his food with reduced salt and preferred dishes that were “less oily and less spicy”.

Chan said the Sultan had a liking for steamed fish, such as cod, grouper and sea bass with soya sauce.

 

Other popular dishes the Sultan would order were black pepper ostrich, sizzling venison, shrimp cooked in fresh milk, mantou (mini bun), oyster pancake and salted egg spinach. Ginger juice was his preferred drink, added Chan.

Meanwhile, restaurant employee Nur Emiezza Mohd Noor, 29, said the experience of taking orders and serving the Sultan Muhammad V would stay fresh in her memory. Chan would often delegate the responsibility to her.

“I was initially nervous, but the Sultan’s pleasing and down-to-earth personality put me at ease and helped me gain confidence,” said Nur Emiezza. — Bernama

Four Season Restaurant’s sizzling venison. — Bernama