On the way from KL to Ipoh, we pulled over at Tapah RnR (rest stop). After doing the needful, I roamed around the food stalls. I expected the usual.
Oh... And that's how I got introduced to Pak Tam Bakery's loaf bread. The full name of Pak Tam is Tuuu... Dia Pak Tam.
The thick sliced white loaf was slathered with kaya (coconut jam) and margarine, and browned on a greased griddle.
The kaya and margarine were familiarly savoury sweet, but the bread was mind blowing on first bite.
A surprising delight.
The thick slice was light and airy yet felt substantial and satiating (not hollow like eating air). It had a nice fresh sweetish, baked aroma that lingers.
It's all about the signature loaf bread. I love it.
It was delicious and a joy to the bite, no wonder then that it was so well loved, like a burst of fresh air in the Malaysian staple loaf bread scene.
Pak Tam's kopi was a blend of Robusta and a couple of different Arabica. I had my usual kopi C kosong which was full bodied, moderately and nicely balanced sweet bitter with a mild caffeine kick.
We must be making too much noise (laughing) at the rest stop, because Pak Tam Operations Manager came to join us, maybe to find out what was the commotion about 🤭
And, so that's how we got an impromptu meet up with chef Mohamad Fazli and learned at first hand about the amazing story of the rise of Pak Tam.
Pak Tam was founded 39 years ago by Haji Ruslin bin Ibrahim, but revamped and modernised about two years ago.
Originally from Batu Caves, it is now all over Malaysia especially in Parak, with overseas outposts in Madinah, and an eye on Batu Pahat, Johor Bahru and Singapore. Indonesia's Balikpapan is also in the pipeline.
Chef Mohamad Fazli studied hotel management in Lucerne, Switzerland and pastries & bread in Bordeaux, France.
Coming back to Malaysia, Fazli's vision is to popularise gluten free bread to slow the spread of diabetes in Malaysia.
I am going to eat this in Singapore with my favourite butter and cheese. RM11 for this huge, heavy loaf in 2025.
Health benefits aside, Pak Tam's loaf bread is delicious and a joy to eat.
Pak Tam serves other dishes like nasi lemak, nasi Arab, mee rebus, pasta, and even laksa Johor which I haven't tried yet. I must try these next time.
Stall name: Tuuu... Dia Pak Tam, RnR Tapah (Utara)
Address: RnR Tapah, North-South Expressway, Arah Utara, 35000 Tapah, Perak, Malaysia
Hours: 8am - 12 midnight
Written by Tony Boey on 5 Oct 2025
Who is Tony Johor Kaki?
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