This ex‑fintech professional turned her KL home into a cosy pancake spot

Construct KL offers intimate, private dining experiences centered entirely on pancakes

On a rainy evening in Subang Jaya more than a decade ago, Haermana Sivamohan stood in her family kitchen whisking pancake batter, the sweet mix of maple, strawberries, and dulce de leche filling the air. 

Rain tapped gently against the windows, and her first stack disappeared almost as soon as it came off the pan. Only years later would she realise that this quiet moment had set something much bigger in motion.

Today, Haermana is the founder of Construct KL, an intimate dining experience in Kuala Lumpur dedicated entirely to thoughtfully prepared pancakes, hosted directly from her home.

Breaking free from the 9-5 hustle 

Haermana Sivamohan hosts private dining experiences at her home./ Image Credit: Construct KL

Growing up in Wangsa Baiduri, Subang Jaya, pancakes were a rare treat in Haermana’s home. Her mother made them occasionally, but she was always captivated by them, fueled in part by the towering, syrup-soaked stacks she saw on American television, often in cartoons and sitcoms.

It was a food obsession, nothing more—at least for a while—because she went on to forge a six-year career in fintech. The experience did not shape her business as much as it revealed what she no longer wanted: corporate life felt rigid and impersonal, and work served as a means of survival rather than fulfilment.

“I don’t come from a privileged background, so I didn’t really have the luxury of finding myself early on. Hence, work was more of a means to an end, like most people, I believe,” shared the founder. 

It clarified her priorities and pushed her to seek something that felt more meaningful. And thus, Construct KL was born—not as a product of spreadsheets or strategy, but from the desire to build a space where food and connection mattered.

The start of Construct KL

Construct KL initially began as an experience offered under her cookie brand, Little Dipper—a side hustle born from Hermana’s passion for baking.

But the idea quickly outgrew its origins. She wanted to serve pancakes the way she believes they should be eaten: one at a time, hot off the pan, perfectly balanced in sauce, compote, and butter. 

Haermana describes her pancakes in one word: revelatory. Simple, familiar, and thoughtfully prepared, they are inspired by her childhood memories of toast with salted butter and berry jam—a flavour combination that has stayed with her ever since.

(Left): Pancakes by Construct KL; (Right): Prompt cards designed to spark reflection and conversation at Construct KL’s dining experiences./ Image Credit: Construct KL

Hermana also placed strong emphasis on experience. She credits much of her vision for Construct KL to influences she never got to experience firsthand—particularly the intimate, immersive atmosphere of supper clubs.

She wanted to create a dining experience that felt genuine, thoughtful, and memorable. Every detail, from the pace of the meal to the ambience, was designed to help guests feel present.

As the concept took shape, Hermana realised it needed a name that could capture the essence of what she was building. She landed on Construct KL, a name that, to her, embodies creation, resilience, and intention.

“After leaving corporate life and coming up from a pretty tumultuous chapter, I realised I was in a phase of rebuilding or rather, reconstructing myself,” Haermana shared.

Today, Construct KL is a gentle landing place for those who, like her, are still under “construction”. The experience comes in different formats: her weekly Women’s Night Wednesdays accomodates a larger group, while more intimate sessions like The Balcony Table can host just 2–4 guests at a time.

Navigating social media

One of Haermana’s biggest hurdles during the early days of forming Construct KL was navigating social media.

“I’ve just never been that person who posts much online, not my outfits, not my food, nothing. So when I started Construct, things like reels, camera angles, and algorithms were completely new to me. It was a steep learning curve,” the ex-fintech professional confessed. 

Her days would revolve around hosting guests, preparing the pancakes, or managing the flow of her intimate dinners, leaving little time for her to figure out the digital side of running a startup. 

“I’m genuinely so grateful for the people who share their experiences at Construct KL. That’s how most people end up finding me,” the founder expressed. 

Image Credit: Construct KL

Beyond learning social media, Haermana also had to figure out how to communicate what Construct KL actually was. As far as she knew, no one else offered a private, single-menu dining experience focused entirely on pancakes.

The founder notes that Construct KL is “not a date night spot, a networking event, or a place to show off.” It is a space to slow down, be present, and connect.

A quiet, thoughtful space

When asked what she finds most rewarding about her journey, Haermana reflected on the pace of modern life and the value of slowing down.

“What I find most rewarding is witnessing that moment when people start to soften, when small talk fades, and real conversation begins. There’s something beautiful about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to be themselves,” Haermana revealed.

For now, Construct KL remains what it was always meant to be: a quiet, thoughtful space where people unwind, enjoy carefully made pancakes, and leave feeling a little more themselves.

“If I ever expand beyond pancakes, I’d love to explore more dessert-focused offerings, maybe dessert tables or curated sweet experiences that feel a little indulgent but still personal,” the founder expressed. 

• Find out more about Construct KL here.
• Read other articles we’ve written on Malaysian businesses here.

Featured Image Credit: Construct KL