Entering a non-descript building atypical of the ones where popular restaurants were usually located puzzled us a bit as to where we were heading. It was only when the elevator door opened that it finally revealed our purpose, as a wide entrance leading to a buffet table greeted us.
A Feast of Stories: Traditional Malaysian Flavors at Chef Ismail's Restoran Rebung
"This has to be it," someone said as we peered inside to see a gathering of diners enjoying a lavish banquet. Outside the door were tables and shelves brimming with antiques that captured my interest briefly before I heard a jovial greeting from someone graciously welcoming us.
“Hello, come in, come in,” said a cheerful man who could be in his sixties but had the ball of energy of someone much younger. Waving us inside the restaurant, he then introduced himself simply as Chef Ismail.
“Eat to your heart’s desire,” he moaned at us excitedly before remembering to show us around his place first. “I have an interesting collection that you must see, come follow me.” As Chef Ismail's unquenchable personality became more apparent to me, I had a feeling we were not only going to be nourished by mouthwatering cuisine, but also by some fantastic stories.
Happiness on a plate
With a mantra of "come hungry, leave satisfied," Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail offered more than just gastronomical satisfaction, especially if you met its owner, celebrity chef and Malaysian tourism ambassador Dato' Chef Ismail.
Fortunately for us, before we could even take our initial dig at the buffet table, we were already being fed with Chef Dato’s enthralling tales. It only increased our craving for Restoran Rebung’s gastronomic offerings.
A candid conversationalist with an infectious chuckle, Chef Ismail welcomed all guests as if they were old friends in his own house while they enjoyed a spread of the finest Malaysian grub.
"This is not a snob restaurant," said the ever-gregarious Ismail, whose flair for storytelling outnumbered the sheer number of antique items displayed in his restaurant. "If someone buys this from me for a million ringgit, I will still not sell it," he said as he pointed out to us a one-hundred-year-old door displayed on a wall of his restaurant.
Other than the innumerable vintage items, the location of his restaurant, situated on a rooftop of a carpark building, added a fascinating peculiarity made quirkier by its beautiful, vibrant deco design screaming of a nostalgic kampung atmosphere.
For a place built to provide excellent culinary experiences, Restoran Rebung also popped with visual delights and generated an environment where diners became comfortable sharing stories across tables.
When it came to food, Restoran Rebung served dishes that were inspired by Chef Ismail's Negeri Sembilan roots (situated in the southwestern part of Malaysia) such as his grandmother's original take on Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kelantan, Laksa, Ayam Percik, as well as several types of desserts from the East Coast like Kuih Tikam, Kuih Serabai, Kuih Ubi, and many more.
Already an icon in the Malaysian culinary scene, Chef Ismail now took on a new hat as a Malaysian Tourism Ambassador. "How come I don't have two million followers?" he asked the Malaysian Tourism staff who were with us (he currently had 13k on Instagram). "You should help me do something about it," he added, followed by a prolonged snicker.
Judging by my initial impression of Chef Ismail, he should have no trouble expanding his web presence. His charisma and enthusiasm were enough to win almost any audience. That was, if he really lost sleep over not having a million followers on social media.
The rapid filling up of available seats in his restaurant attested to the reality of his fanbase. It was the countless guests, both locals and tourists, who flocked to Restoran Rebung’s odd location that represented genuine patronage.
Chef Ismail's creative contributions to the Malaysian culinary scene, which combined the country's rich cultural heritage with modern techniques, deserved more attention, but he did not need six to seven figures next to a blue checkmark by his name. It was all because he had already made his indelible mark on Malaysian cuisine.
Living up to its mantra, suffice it to say, we left Restoran Rebung fully satisfied.
Restaurant Fact Box
Lunch Buffet: From RM53
Dinner Buffet: From RM74.20
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM (two seating sessions)
Dinner: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Must-Try Dishes
- ⭐ Nasi Kerabu with Ayam Percik
- ⭐ Rendang Daging
- ⭐ Nasi Ulam
- ⭐ Mee Goreng Mamak
- ⭐ Lawat Terung
- ⭐ Akok Kelate
- ⭐ Traditional Malay Kuih
- ⭐ Rotating seasonal "kampung" specialties
Facilities
Nearest Attractions
Nomadic Experiences Take
For travelers with only a few days in Kuala Lumpur, Restoran Rebung offers one of the easiest introductions to Malaysian cuisine. Rather than chasing individual specialties across the city, you can sample recipes from different states under one roof while hearing the stories behind them from Chef Ismail himself, if you're lucky enough to catch him making his rounds. The buffet isn't merely about abundance; it's about understanding how Malaysia's diverse culinary traditions come together on a single table. That sense of storytelling, as much as the food itself, is what makes a meal at Rebung linger long after you've left Kuala Lumpur.
