Lepak Kampung Talang Brings A Healing Touch To Dining

By Nur Afiradina Arshad

KUALA KANGSAR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Amid the lush greenery of a forest in Kuala Kangsar stands a restaurant which is drawing attention with its laid-back charm and tranquil, restorative environment.  

Aptly named Lepak Kampung Talang, the unique eatery is owned by theatre actor Mohamad Ridzuan Hasbullah, 37, whose stage name is Reza Hasbifrom and is from Kampung Talang here.

Combining elements of creative architecture, nature and the kampung atmosphere, the restaurant is indeed an ideal place to hang out and indulge in all kinds of dishes. 

According to Mohamad Ridzuan, the standout feature of Lepak Kampung Talang lies in its use of tube-like structures as dining spaces.

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What makes it even more interesting is that most of the structures are built using a DIY approach, giving each unit a personal touch and its own artistic value.

“In Japan, these tube designs are used as alternative accommodations because of their structural stability, especially in disaster situations like earthquakes. From there, I saw their potential not just for lodging but as unique spaces for relaxation (and dining),” he said.

He added that some Chinese influence is also visible, particularly in the arrangement of the tiered structures, allowing visitors to enjoy a more open and different dining experience. The restaurant was opened in 2018.

A runner-up in the reality show ‘Pilih Kasih’, Mohamad Ridzuan said as an artiste, he naturally seeks creative outlets, adding that the tube structures became a platform for him to express his artistic vision, giving rise to a unique site for his restaurant, nicknamed by others as “fairy village”.

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Unlike modern concepts abroad that emphasise lighting and contemporary design, Lepak Kampung Talang maintains its own identity by highlighting the surrounding lush greenery and the authenticity of village life.

“Our visitors comprise Malays, Chinese, Indians and international tourists, all coming to experience the calmness of a traditional village setting. Some even assume there’s a river nearby because of the atmosphere,” he said.

“From their feedback, it’s clear that what I hoped to convey is exactly what they’re experiencing. Who would have thought a forest near a village could create such lasting memories?” he added, noting that the restaurant drew over 1,000 visitors after going viral on social media, after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohamad Ridzuan also said his restaurant offers the food stall concept, where diners can order popular Malaysian dishes such as nasi lemak and char kue tiau, as well as kampung delicacies and even Western food.  

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He added that Lepak Kampung Talang has also benefited the local community by creating job opportunities for youth and offering small traders a platform to generate income through food stalls.

However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in maintenance, limited road access to his site and financial constraints for upgrading the facilities.

“I have to carry out cleaning work every day because the trees here shed a lot of leaves. If it’s left unattended for even a day or two, the place can look like it has been abandoned,” he said.

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The father of five said he recently organised an event called “Dua Hari Ngopi”, combining coffee, storytelling and the kampung ambiance, to enable visitors to have a more meaningful experience.

He plans to continue hosting similar events in the future, as well as extend his restaurant’s operating hours from as early as 10 am until late at night.

“If the response is positive, we’ll maintain those operating hours and even explore temporary accommodation concepts during festive seasons by preparing several tube units for overnight stays,” he added.

-- BERNAMA