Kafe Ruuma: The cheapest nasi lemak ayam in a mall, just RM6.90 — is it good though?
We’ve all been there — spotting a simple local dish with a shockingly high price tag, only to hear the same excuse: the venue. In Malaysia, it’s unfortunately common for street food like char kway teow or rojak to cost over RM20 in malls.
So when I heard that Kafe Ruuma — primarily located in malls — was serving a full nasi lemak ayam goreng set for just RM6.90, I had to check it out.
After a quick online search, I hopped on a train to the 3 Damansara outlet (formerly Tropicana City Mall). Tucked inside NSK Grocer, Kafe Ruuma serves as the main “food court” alongside Kokos, a coconut water stall under the same company. It may sound unassuming, but the dining area is surprisingly cosy — spacious, with some cushioned seats and wooden tables.
Ordering is self-service: place your order at the cashier, grab a buzzer, and wait for it to vibrate. Despite the lunch rush, the lady at the counter was incredibly friendly and patient — a relief for someone like me, who’s always a little anxious about holding up the line.
What I tried at Kafe Ruuma
Kafe Ruuma keeps it simple, specialising in fried chicken sets (think fast-food style) and local favourites like wonton mee, curry mee, and rojak. I went for the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng, as always requesting a thigh. Just as what people on the net have claimed, it was indeed RM6.90!
The wait was long thanks to the crowd, but my nasi lemak arrived fresh and steaming. And for the price — okay, I might be easily impressed sometimes, but this was a solid deal, dear readers — the portion was decent!
The plate had a regular scoop of fragrant coconut rice, sambal, a small spoonful of ikan bilis and peanuts, a slice of peeled cucumber, and half a hard-boiled egg. And the fried chicken? Unlike certain fast-food chains, it was generously sized.
Starving to the point where I swore I could devour a whole bull, I wasted no time digging in. The rice, though slightly clumpy from a few grains sticking together, wasn’t a dealbreaker — just a minor struggle to scoop. One bite in, and the unmistakable aroma of pandan took centre stage, as expected from the green hue.
The richness from the santan was subtle — almost too subtle — but the fragrant pandan and aromatics carried the dish well. Despite the occasional mushy lump, the rice was decently cooked and made it through the first test.
Next up: the sambal. Oily, yes, but it looked promising. The dried red chillies were finely ground to form a vibrant, glossy paste, and the first taste hit me with a bold anchovy flavour — strong but not overwhelming.
A quick stir revealed hidden gems: a chunky anchovy and softened onions, perfectly tucked into the thick sambal. Beyond the umami, I caught subtle hints of sweetness and tangy diluted tamarind paste, though the taste of the chillies remained as the star. No doubt about it — the sambal was a winner.
While nasi lemak is known for its fragrant, spice-laden aroma, the scent of freshly-fried chicken stole the show — calling to me like a siren luring her next victim to shore. It had a thin, crispy crust with a slight sheen of oil, fresh from the fryer. Peeling away the skin (saving the best for last, of course), I was instantly rewarded with glistening juices seeping from the tender meat.
As expected, the chicken was incredibly juicy, tearing apart effortlessly with just a press of my spoon. The marinade had done its job well — onion and garlic powder infused every bite with a familiar yet irresistible depth of flavour. And that crust? A nostalgic throwback to KFC‘s glory days.
I usually don’t pay much attention to the smaller add-ons in nasi lemak, but the fried ikan bilis caught me off guard — in the best way. I expected them to be tough, but instead, they crumbled effortlessly with a light bite, delivering a satisfying crunch.
Final thoughts
Having tried countless nasi lemak spots for SETHLUI.COM, I have to admit — Kafe Ruuma’s version easily lands in my top 3. Dare I say, it even outshines some of Selangor and KL’s more popular names.
Of course, taste is subjective, and quality can vary between outlets, but the one at 3 Damansara? Absolutely delivered. And for just RM6.90? Let’s just say my expectations weren’t just met — they were sent through the roof.
Expected damage: RM6.90 — RM11.90 per pax
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