Bapak Beriani – Meet the champions of Johor for their delicious briyani dishes made with tender meat and 100% basmathi rice. Their specialty includes Briyani Kambing with succulent meat and Briyani Udang Galah that is difficult to make but always leaves the plates clean. They are experts in making briyanis, which is why they are known as the “Father” of Briyanis.
“The Master of Briyani Known for Exceptional Flavors”
The founders of Bapak Beriani are En. Rosnan, known as “Bapak”, and Puan Rashidah, also known as Kak Ida. They have been running the business together for 4 years now. En. Rosnan, who comes from an education and food production background, conducted research to create a delicious biryani paste and eventually found a winning recipe. He decided to leave his job to focus on Bapak Beriani full-time, and Kak Ida later joined him in the business.
This dish is a Malaysian version of briyani rice, which uses milder spices compared to the Indian version. It is similar to nasi minyak and has a sweeter flavor. The briyani kambing, or lamb briyani, has a delicious and not overpowering gravy that we really enjoyed. The basmati rice is cooked with fresh ingredients and we could taste the use of ghee, which gives the rice a richer flavor compared to oil.
The gravy for the lamb briyani is more like a thick sauce rather than a curry, making it feel lighter and healthier. Abang Rosnan has a unique method of preparing the broth for his dish, where he chills it until the fat solidifies on top. He then removes the fat, using the broth in different components of the briyani to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Another popular dish on the menu is their Nasi Beriani Udang Galah. The briyani sauce has been adjusted to complement seafood, giving it a slightly sweet flavor. While we personally prefer the lamb dish, we were pleasantly surprised by the tasty new twist on the udang galah. The prawns are fresh, sweet, and crunchy, making it a delightful dish to enjoy.
His business has suffered greatly due to the pandemic. Bapak Beriani experienced a significant 80% decrease in sales after the lockdown was implemented. They were only able to stay afloat by being determined, offering ad-hoc food delivery services, and setting up street pop-up stalls nearby. While they have another branch, their PLUS stall was their primary source of income. Luckily, Kak Ida & Abang Rosnan’s business is still operational.
Abang Rosnan thinks that in order to succeed, he must consistently provide value to his customers and develop delicious taste profiles for them. This is why Bapak Beriani was named the State Champions in FAMA’s Popular Johor Food Dish Search a few years ago. This success led to Bapak’s latest creation, which is the Nasi Briyani Udang Sepit Biru. So, what exactly is this new dish?
The Udang Sepit Biru are large freshwater prawns that can only be found in the nearby Sungai Muar & Pagoh. Local fishermen catch these prawns along the river, and Bapak Briyani uses his new and secret briyani recipe to cook them. Kak Ida prepares the dish in a way that maintains the prawns’ freshness, resulting in sweet and crunchy flesh. The prawns are priced per gram (RM19 per 100g at the time of publication) and must be ordered a day in advance by calling Abang Rosnan at +60 17-250 5670. This ensures that Bapak can prepare the Udang Sepit Biru prawn briyani fresh for you.
When you arrive at the R&R Pagoh sign in Johor, make sure to visit Abang Rosnan & Kak Ida’s Bapak Beriani stall for a delicious dining experience prepared by authentic state champions. The food is so delicious, it’s “Bapak Punya Sedaplah” (which means “The Food is Really Good” in Malay slang).
The pandemic has caused a lot of harm to small businesses. FriedChillies is working with PLUS to showcase five delicious food options along the North South Expressway and the people who make them. Supporting these businesses not only helps the owners, but also their staff, delivery workers, suppliers, and others who rely on them. If small businesses shut down, they may never reopen and we will lose the opportunity to enjoy their food.
Mr. Beriani
Foodies’ decision.
Bumbu Kito offers Nasi Ambeng with delicious Daging Ungkep at R&R Pagoh that you should definitely try. BurgerBros serves gourmet Wagyu burgers at affordable prices. Other related posts include Maphilindo Mee Sup Utara, Nasi Lemak Kak Sanah, Nasi Lemak Cik Pah’s Corner, Alfiyah Lontong Jawa Asli, Satay Capitol known for its well-marinated and tasty satay, Roti Canai Beratur, Nasi Kukus Ilham, and Mok Teh. Stay updated with the latest posts such as ieatNasiLemak’s return for the weekend, Nasi Kandaq Fest 2.0, and the FriedChillies Seafood Festival at Sunway Putra Mall.