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When you talk of Indonesian cuisine, most Malaysians only think of bakso or at-most gado-gado. However, going beyond typical Indonesian cuisine is the relatively unknown Sundanese food. Having never heard about Sundanese food prior, I braved myself to Rumah Makan Cibiuk in Kajang, popular for its authenticity.
As I was doing some research, I discovered that in contrast to the rich and spicy flavours infused with coconut milk and curry found in Minangkabau cuisine, Sundanese cuisine offers a simple and clear taste spectrum. It encompasses a range of flavours, including savoury saltiness, refreshing sourness, subtle sweetness, and even spiciness.
What I tried at Rumah Makan Cibiuk
When I arrived around lunchtime, the restaurant was relatively crowded which proved parking to be a headache (*cries in passenger princess). The restaurant interior and decoration had strong references to Sundanese culture with a separate sambal station as well.
The menu seemed to be on the pricier side which explained why most diners there were in large groups. I then ordered the chef-recommended Nasi Liwet Ayam Bakar (RM25.90) as well as the Ikan Tilapiah Goreng Kipas (RM36.90).
The beverage selection was normal and nothing to rave about so I’d recommend saving your penny and ordering drinking water instead! The food didn’t take long and the first to arrive was the Nasi Liwet Ayam Bakar. Aesthetically, it looked like your run-of-the-mill chicken rice but the rice was wrapped in banana leaves, resembling a lemang.
Kotak+: Indonesian restaurant with sambal goreng that’ll set your tongue on fire
It also came with a side of creamy soup and a tiny wok of sambal (points for creativity!). The chicken was juicy and flavoured to perfection, I just wished there was more sauce, however. Despite being wrapped creatively, the rice boasted nothing more than a slight fragrance. The fried tempeh and tofu were excellent additions to the overall dish.
My biggest problem with this dish is that at close to RM30, this was the best they could offer. It was yummy, don’t get me wrong but for that price, think of how many nasi kukus packets I could have gotten.
Next, to arrive was fried tilapia fish which seemed more than enough for 2 people. Typically, I’m sceptical of seafood as the freshness can be dubious. Boy, was I wrong! Although the fish was deep-fried, it did not have an overwhelming taste of batter and maintained its freshness. The fried kangkung accompanied by the fish was a welcomed additional crunch. Despite being deep fried, the vegetable was not oily and had a very keropok-like texture to it.
Each time I dug into the fish, I discovered new flavour profiles that got me returning for more. The fish was sweet, fresh and crispy and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I paired it with the sambal—dead! It’s worth noting that the sambal might be a little too pedas for our spice-challenged friends.
Final thoughts
Would I visit Rumah Makan Cibiuk again? Yes, BUT ONLY FOR THE FISH! Considering how most of the rice and chicken-based dishes were in the same price range, I couldn’t justify paying those prices again.
Unless you’re in a bigger group, then I would recommend getting the fish and rice just to share. Trying authentic Sundanese food was definitely a unique experience, and worth exploring again!
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