Going bananas over nasi lemak

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Be our guests: The 'gorillas' posing for a photo with some bananas and a plate of nasi lemak at the stall in Bayan Baru, Penang.

MOTORISTS and passers-by were caught off guard when two ‘gorillas’ sprang out from a shoplot in Penang to hand them bananas.

Surprise turned into laughter when they realised it was just a promotional gimmick for the opening of Mama Lissa’s Nasi Lemak Tradisi stall near Queensbay Mall in Penang.

While the stand of the nasi lemak stall’s tagline ‘mungkin yang terbaik di Malaysia (possibly the best in the country)’ may be subjective, the opening gimmick is undoubtedly creative.

The sandwich board-wearing ‘gorillas’ — Danny Chin and Muhd Firdaus Nurdin — said reaction from the public ranged from shocked and terrified to giggly and excited.

“Most of the ladies were reluctant to stop while some took the fliers but did not want the bananas, lamenting that the fruit was too small,” Chin said with a laugh.

Stall owner Melissa Paul, 40, said she spent RM1,000 on the costumes which were bought in United States and lugged all the way to Penang to promote her business.

“It’s a play of the (Jay Conrad Levinson) concept ‘guerrilla marke-ting’ which sounded like gorilla,” she said when met at the stall.

Guerrilla marketing is an unconventional system of promotion that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget.

Service with a grin: One of the 'apes' scooping a dish for Ku Shahrin and his friend Hasnita.

Typically, such campaigns are unexpected, unconventional and interactive.

They aimed at creating unique, engaging and thought-provoking ideas to generate a buzz.

Paul, from Malacca, said a plate of nasi lemak costs between RM2.50 and RM5 depending on the dishes.

“It’s my grandmother’s recipe — the secret is in the rice,” she said.

She added that the dishes inclu-ded sambal udang, fried chicken, chicken curry and eggs.

“What I serve is the same as what I cook for my own family at home, so the quality of the ingre-dients is very important,” she added.

Diners Hasnita Mustafa and Ku Shahrin Ku Nordin were surprised to see the gorillas serving them.

“This is the first time we’ve seen such a gimmick.

“It’s very interes-ting,” Hasnita said.

She added that the nasi lemak was tasty.

“It’s very difficult to find good nasi lemak in this area, so I’m glad Mama Lissa’s opened,” said the 28-year-old yesterday.

Located in front of Queens Cafe & Bistro on Persiaran Bayan Indah (behind Eastin Hotel), the stall opens from 11am to 11pm daily.