A traditional bakery in Kuala Terengganu has clarified that its well-known product, Roti Israil, bears no connection to the country of Israel but instead honors its founder, the late Israil Tafzul Hussain — a respected local baker whose recipes have been cherished for more than seven decades.
The founder’s grandson, Muhammad Farouq Mohd Rafi, 29, explained that the name Roti Israil has been in use since 1950 and has been passed down through generations. The family bakery, one of the oldest in the district, began operations in Batu Buruk before relocating to Kampung Bukit Kubang Jambu, where it continues to uphold its traditional bread-making heritage.
Farouq shared that the name originated simply from his grandfather’s own name, Israil, a figure well-known among villagers for his craftsmanship and dedication. Over time, locals grew accustomed to calling the bread by that name. However, he noted that outsiders unfamiliar with the history sometimes misinterpreted it as a reference to the Middle Eastern country. Once the story behind the name was explained, most customers fully understood and continued to support the family business.
He said the bakery’s founder, who was of mixed Arab-Indian descent, started the venture modestly in the 1950s by selling bread within the village before opening a physical shop in the 1970s. The family has since continued the same recipe, maintaining the bread’s authentic taste and texture without the use of preservatives.
According to Farouq, their bread is made only with simple ingredients — wheat flour, water, vegetable fat, salt, and sugar — and was originally baked in a wood-fired oven before modern ovens were adopted. Even as production techniques evolved, the family has remained committed to preserving the original flavor and texture of the bread.
Now, the bakery is managed by six siblings after their father, Mohd Rafi, 61, suffered a stroke. The team produces about 20 to 30 loaves daily, including varieties such as brick bread, sliced bread, sandwich loaves, sugar bread, nut-filled bread, and homemade sekaya bread.
Farouq said the products, priced between RM1 and RM5, remain affordable despite rising ingredient costs. Their famed kek kuning sells for around RM7. The family’s priority, he said, is to retain authenticity rather than profit margins. For them, Roti Israil is more than a name — it is a heritage of taste, tradition, and trust that has endured for over 70 years.
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