‘Kitchen-by-the-beach’ eateries a hit with tourists
KUALA NERUS: The “kitchen-bythe-beach” eateries at the Dapo Pata Uptown Kontena in Tok Jembal, Kuala Terengganu, are proving to be a hit with tourists.
“Dapo pata” is how “dapur pantai” (beach kitchen) is pronounced in the local lingo.
The cluster of eateries overlooking a lagoon in the South China Sea is made up of 6m by 12m shipping containers.
It is the brainchild of Affandi Hamzah, an entrepreneur, from Shah Alam in Selangor.
Affandi, 41, gave up his software designer’s job of 15 years to start this business venture three years ago.
“I was struck by the idea of using shipping containers during a visit to Christchurch, New Zealand, seven years ago.
“I developed more ideas when I stumbled upon a cluster of eateries modelled after the Siamese-influenced ones at Wakaf Che Yeh in Kelantan.”
He said he rented out the containers for RM1,000 a month.
In 2015, Affandi said, he invested RM1 million in a 1.6ha plot of land at the Tok Jembal beach, near Sultan Mahmud Airport in Gong Badak, and shipped in the first container.
Within a year, he had shipped in a dozen more.
Soon, there were 18 bistros and cafes offering local and western seafood dishes and barbecue.
He said dozens of mobile stalls moved in.
“There is a wave-breaker at the lagoon, which makes it ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and other beach sports.”
By nightfall, fishermen moored their boats by the lagoon.
He said he was looking for partners to develop the area into something like the Jumeria Beach Resort in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
“I want to have backpacker chalets, street buskers and other activities.”