The eatery is barely two years old but it has already made a name for itself, and has built a loyal following among locals and members of the Malaysian diaspora.
In July, Bernama had the opportunity to visit the restaurant located on Karangahape Road, a three-way junction in the heart of Auckland’s central business district.
“Those from the west aren’t like before – these days they come in already knowing what they want to order. Roti canai is number one. And they must have it with rendang or curry,” co-owner Azli Musa said.
Hailing from Simpang Renggam in Johor, Azli has lived here since 2007, long before Desa Corner came into being. Asked about his decision to emigrate, the 48-year-old simply said: “Fate, encounters and sustenance are all determined by God.”
Now comfortably settled here with his family, he shared the story of his life before founding Desa Corner.
“I started from the bottom. After arriving here, I worked in the hospitality industry as a regular employee. I gained experience in that field for eight years,” he said.
He later pivoted into carpentry. “I did all kinds of work – cutting wood, building cabinets, installing walls, constructing kitchens and repairing houses – for nearly nine years. Bit by bit, I saved up because I’d always wanted to open an eatery.”
That dream came true in 2018, when he opened the Dapur Johor stall at the Wellington Food Court. But then the pandemic struck.
“When the lockdowns began, we couldn’t continue. That period was extremely challenging for me,” Azli recalled.
Later, he was reunited with a fellow Malaysian friend who owned his own restaurant – a chef with over 20 years of experience.
“We’d known each other for a long time but had lost touch. So, when we met again and he suggested opening a restaurant together, I thought this was my second chance.
“We didn’t just pool our capital, we planned the menu and operations together,” Azli said.
‘Village soul’
In November 2023, Desa Corner officially opened its doors. Azli manages the daily running of the business, including marketing, while his partner – who prefers not to be named – focuses on the kitchen.
Centred on Johor-Malay cuisine, they also serve popular dishes from countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. Nasi goreng and mi goreng mamak are among their bestsellers.
According to Azli, they strive to preserve a distinctly “Malaysian” feel in the restaurant – something visitors notice the moment they step inside. Beyond being greeted with a warm “selamat datang”, their eyes are immediately drawn to cartoon murals that evoke memories of 1990s Malaysia.
Azli said the artwork was done by his friend Fitri, who spent two months painting and re-creating characters such as Keluang Man, Usop Sontorian, Mat Despatch, Upin & Ipin and Didi & Friends, as well as iconic characters by Lat.
“We want customers to relive their childhood days, because these were the cartoon characters we waited to watch on TV back when TV was our only entertainment. Even when living abroad, we must hold on to our ‘village soul’,” he said.
He also ensures that traditional music and songs by Asean artistes are played in the background. Songs by the likes of Siti Nurhaliza fill the space while diners tuck into favourites such as nasi lemak and wantan soup.
The restaurant now employs seven staff, most of them Malaysian students working part-time. And despite not running any large-scale marketing campaigns, Desa Corner continues to draw customers – including celebrities and notable personalities.
In fact, during Bernama’s visit, actress and director Erma Fatima, her sister Umi Aida, actor Bell Ngasri, and actress Nora Danish were seen dining here along with a production crew filming a telemovie in New Zealand.
“We don’t have the budget for big marketing, but people still find us – because when they’re satisfied with the food and our service, they post about it on Instagram and Facebook. That’s the most genuine form of promotion,” Azli said.
Finally, he has this message to share with other entrepreneurs: “Courtesy matters. Customers appreciate sincere service.”
Follow Desa Corner on Instagram.