“I believe in the efforts of family,” Mahiran said. Today, Jalan Pisang and the other alleys along North Bridge Road, such as Jalan Kledek and Jalan Klapa, are filled with eateries, cafes, clothes shops and bakeries, attracting both locals and tourists. “But my husband and I worked hard, sometimes only coming home to our kids after 3am,” she added. Without today’s internet, it was difficult to source for things that could help the restaurant, such as food suppliers or logistics support in Singapore, she said. The early years were exciting but daunting.

“I followed her advice and picked Jalan Pisang as the location for my restaurant.” Hjh Maimunah opened in 1992, when Mahiran was 27. “Though I had doubts, I trusted my mum,” she said. “I remember her telling me that because the place and country will grow, people will eventually visit the alleys too,” Mahiran said.

People would bypass them to head to Arab Street.īut her mum was more optimistic. Mahiran recalled that in the 80s and 90s, the alleys along North Bridge Road were largely empty with only a few modest shophouses.

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