But Amaneco, an aquaponics farm and café tucked away in Kajang, offers exactly that – a mix of urban farming, food, and philosophy.
The café here is a tranquil space, where sunlight streams in through glass walls, illuminating lush plants scattered throughout: an ideal spot in which to unwind with a drink or meal.
Visitors can sip on freshly pressed kale juice while gazing into a greenhouse, itself bursting with greenery, from basil and bok choy to kangkung and mint.
With a minimum spend of RM30, visitors can take a guided tour of this greenhouse, and with any purchase, they’ll receive a free salad bowl made with farm-grown greens.
For co-founder Logan Tee, Amaneco represents something deeper: a sanctuary, a place of healing, and a call for sustainable living.
“I had very serious sleep problems; I couldn’t sleep for weeks,” the 39-year-old shared with FMT Lifestyle. “I finally went to see the doctor and he told me I was suffering from anxiety disorder.
“During the pandemic lockdowns, I picked up gardening as a way to help improve my mental state.”
The former finance professional found solace among the soil, leaves and roots. Fast forward a few years and Tee now runs this farm where aquatic creatures and agriculture are cultivated in perfect balance.
Although Amaneco, which opened two months ago, now sprawls across an acre, its beginnings were far humbler. Tee’s foray began on a small farm in Bukit Jalil – a rather tight squeeze of 7,000 sq ft of land, where the rent would eat into profits.
Kajang, he said, offered a better opportunity: a chance to expand, experiment, and create something meaningful. His vision for Amaneco is “to be perceived as a wellness company that promotes sustainable farming”.
Indeed, at Amaneco – a portmanteau of “aman” (peace) and “eco” – the fish fertilise the plants, and the plants filter the water “in a symbiotic relationship”.
And the café, he pointed out, is an extension of this mission. Take, for example, their kale juice: “It’s made from the kale we grow here. And if you want to buy our vegetables, we pick them straight from the greenhouse.”
Looking ahead, Tee aims to grow fruit-bearing crops like cherry tomatoes and chillies, while exploring ways to incorporate the farm’s fish – currently sold to wholesalers – into the menu as a protein source.
At present, the café sources its food externally, but this could change as operations evolve.
Tee also envisions creating recreational spaces around a flower-shaped pond and launching workshops to teach sustainable farming practices. Ultimately, he aims to make Amaneco more than just a farm or café, but a lifestyle destination.
“In cities, we don’t have enough activities that get people outdoors, besides shopping malls. I think we should have places like this to get people to come, learn things, feel the ambience, and be close to nature,” he concluded.
Amaneco
Pusat Flora Cheras,
Lot 3, Batu 11, Jalan Cheras,
43000, Kajang
Business hours: 9am-6pm (Thursdays to Sundays)
Contact: 014-926 9687
For location, click here.
Learn more about Amaneco here as well as via Facebook and Instagram.