PENGERANG, Johor: The butter-fried lobster at Sungai Rengits Super Lobster Restaurant lived up to its billing.
The lobster was served in a crispy batter, which tasted like savoury cotton candy.
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Just 15 minutes before it was served, the creature was pulling itself to the bottom of a glass tank, ferociously fighting off a hoop net held by the restaurants owner Mr Louis Tan.
“Dont worry, we have more than enough lobsters for our customers,” said the 34-year-old.
“Sometimes we have so many that we have to freeze them until Chinese New Year, or sell them to other seafood restaurants in Johor Bahru,” added the man dubbed the “lobster towkay” in the sleepy fishing village.
READ: Resorts, rides and rustic charm will new-look Desaru be Johors next tourism gem?
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Sungai Rengit is known as the lobster town of Malaysia. (Photo: Amir Yusof)
Sungai Rengit – a coastal town located a 20-minute drive from tourist hotspot Desaru – is renowned for its fresh seafood. Those staying at resorts in the area will often make a side trip to the town to enjoy the cuisine.
The town's lobster catch is distributed to dozens of seafood restaurants in the state.
More Singaporeans are stopping by the town for meals when they visit Desaru or Johor Bahru. “Out of 10 customers, maybe seven are Singaporeans,” said Mr Tan.
“Many of them drive from Johor Bahru but there are some who drop by during their weekend cycling trips. They will take the ferry to Tanjung Belungkor and cycle up to Sungai Rengit for a seafood lunch, and head back,” he added.
Mr Louis Tan is only in his 30s, but he has gained a reputation for being a successful seafood business owner in Sungai Rengit. (Photo: Amir Yusof)
The ferry terminal at Tanjung Belungkor is 35km from Sungai Rengit town, and it has ferry services to Singapore's Changi Point.
For many Singaporeans who do indulge in lobster meals in Sungai Rengit, the price is a big draw. Fresh lobster at Super Lobster Restaurant costs up to RM210 (S$70) per kilogram, lower than the average price of S$90 per kilogram in Singapore.
Super Lobster restaurant has been in existence for nine years. During the recent Hari Raya Haji holidays, the restaurant was packed to the hilt and there were not enough tables for customers, says its owner. (Photo: Amir Yusof)
Popular dishes at restaurants in the area include live lobster cooked with butter, salted egg and black pepper. The dishes are typically served with plain rice and other seafood like fish, prawn or crab.
For visitors like Mr Vincent Lo, an avid cyclist who visits Sungai Rengit around four times a year to eat lobster, the journey is worth it.
“Its a good reward after a long (bicycle) ride from the ferry terminal. Lobster is generally expensive, but eating it here is at least cheaper,” said the retiree who lives in Punggol.
Besides the usual dishes, Jade Garden Restaurant in Sungai Rengit offers lobster sashimi as an option for visitors. (Photo: Jade Garden/Facebook)
LOBSTERS ATTRACTED TO SUNGAI RENGIT AREA
Sungai Rengit has earned its reputation because of its rocky shorelines, which attracts spiny lobsters between March and August each year.
But the weather also plays a big part, the warm tropical weather in the area for most of the year makes it suitable for lobster fishing.
According to Mr Yusri Mohd Latiff, a fisherman who lives in Kampung Sungai Rengit, catching lobster is no easy feat. But when the conditions are right, it can be a risk that pays off.
Many spiny lobsters are caught in the seas near Kampung Rengit during the months of March until October each year. (Photo: Amir Yusof)
