Synopsis
Nineteen year-old Hans has always dreamed to be a professional football player, and his dream almost becomes a reality when he is recruited by a football club in Jakarta. However, that dream fails to be realized due to a fatal accident that befalls upon him. Frustrated, Hans decides to end his life by jumping off of a bridge. Yet, when he is about to jump, his shirt is caught in the railing, causing him to then slip and fall on the sidewalk. Even his suicide effort fails.
The next day, Hans is found by Mak Uwok (56 years old), owner of a simple Padangnese restaurant (lapau). Mak, along with Natsir (42 years old), a waiter, and Parmanto (54 years old), a cook, have come from Western Sumatra; the earthquake that occurred there in 2009 had destroyed their restaurant and forced them to migrate and start a new business in Java.
Mak Uwok feels for Hans and takes him over to her house. A warm bowl of fish head curry and Mak’s compassion remind Hans of Serui, in Papua, his hometown. His will to live is rekindled, and he asks to work in the lapau.
Hans’s presence provokes a strong refusal from Parmanto and Natsir. Things become worse when Parmanto decides to quit and move to a rival restaurant located just across from Mak’s lapau.
The lapau has not been doing too well lately, and its condition worsens with the departure of the cook. To save the lapau, Mak turns Hans into a secret weapon. She gives him her best recipes, ones Parmanto is clueless of. Mak teaches Hans to cook rendang tumbuak, dendeng batokok, even fish head curry, a favorite dish of Mak’s son, who died in the earthquake.
Food is a good intention to meet; through cooking and food, Hans and Mak share with each other, forgetting their differences. Cooking gives Hans a valuable life lesson—that happiness exists everywhere, and there is always a chance to start over without any prejudice.