A rare local delicacy goes viral on TikTok, drawing locals, tourists, and even royalty
In the Johor coastal town of Mersing, a humble eatery has become a magnet for foodies thanks to one dish — lontong darat. Also known as lontong kering, this dry version of the traditional Javanese rice cake dish has exploded in popularity after going viral on social media.
A Rare Culinary Find
Unlike the typical lontong served with coconut milk-based lodeh gravy, lontong darat is served dry, paired with rich side dishes such as beef or chicken rendang, sambal paru (fried beef lung), squid sambal, cockles sambal, quail eggs sambal, or serunding (meat floss). The dish is hard to find elsewhere, making it a culinary curiosity for locals and international visitors alike.
From Family Eatery to Viral Sensation
The eatery is run by Suriani Hassan, 36, who took over from her in-laws in 2010. Eight years ago, she added lontong darat to the menu, offering set options such as single (one side), kahwin dua (two sides), madu tiga (three sides), and a special set with four sides. Prices range from RM8 to RM18, depending on the variety chosen.
Tourists and Travellers Stop By
Visitors from Sweden, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore have stopped in Mersing specifically to try the viral dish. Motorcycle convoys and road trippers heading to the East Coast or the islands also make the eatery a regular stop. Demand peaks during school holidays, weekends, and festive seasons, with long queues and overwhelming orders.
Boosted by TikTok Fame
Much of the eatery’s fame comes from TikTok, where videos of lontong darat on the For You Page (FYP) brought thousands of curious foodies to Mersing. “Many people travel long distances just to try it, and if food runs out, we cook more so no one is disappointed,” Suriani explained.
More Than Just Lontong
While lontong darat is the star, the eatery also serves Johor favourites such as nasi lemak berlauk (with a variety of side dishes), soto kaki ayam letup (explosive chicken feet soup), seafood lontong, bihun sup, roti canai, and an assortment of traditional kuih. Suriani, with the help of her husband and six staff, now plans to expand the menu with fried snacks, satay, and other Johor specialties.
Culinary Tourism in Johor
Operating daily from 7 am to 12.30 pm except Fridays, the eatery has become a food tourism hotspot in Johor. With orders even coming from government agencies, private companies, and the Johor royal palace, lontong darat has firmly placed Mersing on Malaysia’s culinary map.
What began as a small family business is now a viral sensation blending tradition with modern social media trends. For Johor, lontong darat is more than just a dish — it is a driver of local pride, food tourism, and cultural preservation that continues to draw visitors from near and far.
Sources: Malay Mail (2025) , New Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Lontong Darat Mersing, Viral Johor Food, Johor Traditional Cuisine, TikTok Food Malaysia, Suriani Hassan, Johor Food Tourism
