Perniagaan mangkuk tingkat kini kembali popular terutama dalam kalangan pelanggan muda. Setelah seharian bekerja, ramai young couples terlalu letih untuk menyiapkan makan malam sendiri. Hence, many choose to book mangkuk tingkat services as it is a cheaper option than eating out every day. Bagi peniaganya pula, ia amat menguntungkan kerana mereka tidak perlu membayar sewa kedai mahupun menggajikan pekerja.

Ummi Abdullah first realised the golden opportunity when she was scrolling through Facebook while lazing around in her house. Ketika itu, beliau baru sahaja menutup perniagaan events planner beliau after it experienced a huge loss. Malah, beliau bersama suami dan tiga orang anak terpaksa menumpang di flat satu bilik ibunya di Toa Payoh setelah rumah, kereta, dan segala harta terpaksa dijual demi melunaskan hutang.

“Kalau kita nak lebih maju, take a little bit of risk!”

As soon as the idea struck her, Ummi immediately asked her husband if he is agreeable with her idea. Since she has been cooking dinner for the family every day, she thought,
“why not prepare a little bit more to sell?”

Hence, she would prepare and pack food every day for her husband to deliver after he ends work at 5pm. Well-timed, the food would reach their customers by dinner.

Ummi mula mengiklankan perniagaannya melalui Facebook. Gradually, she began to build her reputation as her customers continue to spread good words about her cooking. Little did she know, the response would become too overwhelming, to the extent that the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and Town Council Officers would pay her a visit.

“Orang Melayu ni, kalau mereka sukakan sesuatu, they will really go all out to spread the word!”

Ketika diserbu para pegawai NEA dan Majlis Bandaran, Ummi begitu kecut sekali sehingga beliau terdesak memberitahu suami dan anak-anak supaya jangan membuka pintu rumah.

Sungguhpun demikian, Ummi sedar bahawa sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga. She knows that she can run but she can’t hide forever. Lantaran itu, di samping menguruskan perniagaannya, Ummi bekerja sebagai tukang masak di sebuah country club untuk mengumpul duit demi mendapatkan lesen katering.

Atas berkat ketekunannya itu, today, not only does Ummi Abdullah deliver food from house to house, she also runs restaurants such as Ambeng Cafe and fusion-based restaurant – Noosh Noodle Bar.

Selain itu, Nasi Ambeng yang disajinya juga meraih pujian daripada para pengkritik yang turut menyenaraikan beliau dalam senarai Top 50 World Street Food Masters!

“Live life with no regrets. Whatever I feel like trying or want to do, I just go with it.  Think before I do anything.”