One interesting finding Ilham has found out during the research is that the casual environment and ambiance being one of the important factors Malaysian customers like to dine in kedai mamaks. Unlike fine dining, eating in kedai mamaks is not as restrictive in terms of eating etiquettes. Instead, we can eat freely, whether we eat using our hands or cutleries, and stay as long as we want while being able to talk freely. Due to the unrestrictive nature of dining experience, kedai mamaks are also popular amongst all Malaysians regardless of race. Being a place that unites Malaysian, certainly most of us have gone to kedai mamaks just to watch football matches or to watch Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s badminton matches.

While it is true that the casual atmosphere and affordability are some of the aspects that make what kedai mamaks are, Ilham wondered if there is a possibility of mamak evolving into a fine dining experience.

Are you intrigued as well? Catch us on our podcast and listen to what interviewees had to say if kedai mamak become a place of fine dining.