From Corporate Life To Brewing Coffee In A Range Rover

KUALA LUMPUR: If you’re near The Five @ KPD in Bukit Damansara, chances are you’ve passed a black Range Rover parked by the roadside among a row of food trucks.

Take a closer look and you’ll spot the hood popped open, with a man in a hat busy brewing coffee from the boot.

For 15 years, Mohd Hairy Roslan worked in the oil and gas industry. But late last year, the 40-year-old decided to walk away from corporate life and pursue something entirely different.

Today, he runs “Other Sidequest”, serving specialty coffee, matcha and premium chocolate drinks from the back of the luxury SUV.

Hairy’s journey into coffee began during the pandemic, when he started brewing at home.

“My wife is a huge coffee lover - she can’t sleep without it, which is the opposite of most people. So that’s why I started brewing coffee manually myself,” he said.

What began as a hobby eventually became a business after his work contract came to an end. Hairy started “Other Sidequest” in May, operating in Bukit Damansara on weekdays and Sri Hartamas on weekends.

“It was basically encouragement from my family and friends. They told me, ‘Go out onto the street and serve others.’”

In fact, a relative lent Hairy the Range Rover to help him get started, and the vehicle is now used solely for the business. Still, leaving behind a stable corporate income to start from scratch was tough.

“To be honest, on our first day here, I sold only five cups. On the drive home, I kept questioning whether I was doing the right thing,” he admitted.

But sales gradually picked up. “Today, I’m a happy street barista.”

The name “Other Sidequest” isn’t exactly random - it's about doing things differently.

“Normally, coffee is served in a cafe, but we serve it on the street. I also came from the corporate sector and have now moved into the SME world, so in a way, it’s the ‘other side’ of my life,” he said.

“‘It also refers to the fact that, eventually, my sidequest became my main quest.”

And he has made sure his mobile setup is anything but basic. The Range Rover’s boot houses a bright blue La Marzocco Linea Mini R espresso machine, a fancy coffee grinder, drawers that pull out to reveal a digital scale, a mini whisk and a matcha-making set.

There is also a knock tube outside the car for emptying spent coffee grounds. A small fan attached to one corner of the boot keeps Hairy comfortable while he works. For customers, a couple of camping chairs and stools are set up for those who want to sit and linger.

The atmosphere varies depending on the day.

“In Bukit Damansara, it’s more grab-and-go, especially during lunch hour because there are a lot of offices nearby. On weekends, it’s more of a relaxing activity, with cyclists and runners dropping by for coffee,” he said.

“Some customers are attracted by the car itself. They’ll say, ‘Wow, you have a Range Rover, nice car.’ Others who know their coffee are attracted by the coffee machine. But none of them are attracted to me,” he laughed.

The menu is simple but varied, featuring classics such as Americano, flat white and mocha, made using his house blend of Guatemalan and Indonesian Aceh Gayo coffee beans.

“Our best-seller is the latte. For those who prefer something sweeter, the Spanish latte is popular because it has condensed milk.”

His specialty drinks include strawberry chocolate and dirty matcha. Beyond his regular roadside spots, “Other Sidequest” also caters for events.

In June, Hairy collaborated with Volvo Ara Damansara, swapped the Range Rover for a Volvo, popped open the boot and got straight to work.

When asked about his future plans, Hairy said he is happy to take things one cup at a time.

“Every barista dreams of owning a physical café, but I believe it’s a long journey and I trust the process. For now, I’m just enjoying serving coffee and connecting with the communities here.”

Follow Other Sidequest on Instagram.

Other Sidequest
Jalan Gelenggang,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur

Business hours: 9am-2pm (Mondays-Thursdays)

Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Taman Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Business hours: 8am-1pm (Saturdays & Sundays)