Attapka fast becoming a ‘Foodie Bikers’ Haven

 

By Tony Mariadass

‘Foodie Bikers’ Haven

BANTING: ‘Attapka Seafood Restaurant’ owned by former international footballer from Kuala Lumpur, See Kim Seng, has seen a new group of clients of late – Bikers – and it fast growing in numbers.

After experiencing  bad times during this Covid-19 pandemic since last year when Movement Control Order (MCO) saw his restaurant bring down its curtains, and later only able to receive ‘take away’ orders, Kim Seng sighed relived when first dine-in was allowed and inter-district allowed recently, and now inter-state travel too allowed.

“My customers used to be locals, friends and sometime outstation clients,” said the 57-year-old father of five daughters.

“But of late, when inter-district travel was allowed, I was pleasantly surprised to get group of bikers coming to my restaurant.

“It was by word of mouth that these bikers who add food outlets to their bike riding expeditions, that saw these groups patronise my outlet.

"And now not a weekend or public holiday passes by with a least one or two bikers groups coming to my restaurant to feast.

“Their presence certainly adds colour to my outlet and a delight to my other customers to view these big bikes up close and personal.

“And with the bikers themselves pleased with the food we serve here and passing the word to their other biker friends, I am getting more biker groups coming to my outlet.”

Kim Seng said one bikers group in particular led by Danny Zuko has been promoting his outlet to other biker groups.

 Kim Seng, is proof that there is life after football, if one plans well, works hard, willing to face challenges, be prudent and keep one’s feet firm on the ground always.

The burly Kim Seng who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri Sembilan in 1994.

He has managed a heavy machinery business successfully from 1995 to 2013, before recession saw him fold the business, then set up his own heavy machinery company for a few years, and after his last job during the building of KLIA 2, decided to go into managing a golf driving range at the Desa Driving Range at Shah Alam – his second, after the first in Bandar Baru Kelang in 2015, where his contract of the range was not renewed after three years - and now runs a seafood restaurant – Attapka – since February last year.

Kim Seng who took up golfing after football and was a single handicapper, also runs a coaching clinic for children at his range, but now has asked his friend to run it, because he must concentrate on his seafood restaurant.

“I come from a family of seven and was the fifth. As a 12-year-old I used to follow my late father (See Thiam Sem) who ran a fruit shop, to buy coconuts and fruits, from plantations by bicycle first, before he got a motorcycle.

“Coming from a small town and kampong, I knew what hardship was all about and was always prudent and saved whatever I could for a rainy day.

“It is not how much you earn, but how much you can safe. A father can give his son 1 million ringgit, but it will all come to naught if the son does not know how to utilise the money well.”

Kim Seng started playing football as a striker, as a kampong boy with estate players near his home.

Chinese educated at his primary school SRJK Simpan Morib and later at SM Sg Manggis till Form Three and in SMK Telok Datuk, he first played for his school teams, before turning out for the Kuala Langat District team in the Selangor premier league.

It was with the district team that Kim Seng was spotted by the late international midfield maestro Wong Choon Wah, was who playing for Selangor Chinese Recreation Club (SCRC), when playing in the league match in Banting.

Kim Seng went on to play for Selangor schools in the Rahman Cup and Razak Cup and donned national colours in the Asean Schools football championship for two years – 1981 in Jakarta and 1982 in Bangkok where he captained the team.

It was in 1984, that he was selected to the Selangor team and with a star-studded team with the likes of the late Mokhtar Dahari, K. Rajagobal, Norbit Shah and other notable names, he warmed the bench and only played one match against Armed Forces.

Next year, frustrated, he returned to just play in the Selangor league for SCRC. It was here that late Chow Kwai Lam spotted him and took him to play for Kuala Lumpur in late 1986.

 

See  Kim Seng (right) in KL colours in defence with teammate Chow Siew Yai

It was Dr Josef Veglos who took charge of the KL team in 1987, that converted Kim Seng from a striker to a defender. He played for KL till 1992 (wining the Malaysia Cup for a record three times – 1987-1989), before moving to Negri Sembilan for two years before he called it quits.

Kim Seng standing back row far right with KL Malaysia Cup team with their trophies  1988 treble champions Malaysia Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield

As a national player he has a winner’s medal from the 1989 Sea Games under English coach Trevor Hartley and a 1993 Merdeka tournament medal under Australian coach late Ken Worden who passed away recently, besides playing in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and King’s Cup in Thailand where he captained the team.

“I am also glad that besides having done well in business, I have also educated my children well and also got them involved in sports,” said Kim Seng proudly, whose wife, Wong Show Mei was a Tanggak district volleyball player.

Kim Seng with standing from left  daughters See Min, See Mon, See Man and See Won  and seated from left wife Doris Wong Show Mei and youngest daughter See Wye

While Kim Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant, starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open his shop from 11am to midnight.

His wife now manages the driving range besides her own business of cleaning services.

While Kim Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register and making sure the food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his customers.

 

Kim Seng taking order at his restaurant

Kim Seng keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting and not all of them are doing well.

He also sponsors one or two tables each other for poor families around the area working with the Community Service centres.

And despite his newfound clientele of bikers and more coming from outside Banting, Kim Seng keeps his price very affordable to all, not compromising on his portions or standards which he works hard to keep on improving.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab. He also has any array of other delicious dishes and also serves 'toddy' in one litre bottles sourced from the nearby coconut plantations.

Indeed a place worth the visit which is about one hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and if you avoid the highway passing through Klang, the drive through the kampung passing through Dengkil is a sight to behold.

Check out Attapka Seafood Restaurant. No regets, only joy and a full stomach.

 

Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot 325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.