Ibu Ruby’s: Can this new nasi lemak restaurant in Bangsar rival KL’s viral spots?

This Indo-Malay restaurant, tucked away in Bangsar, is not just another new dining spot – it carries a deeply personal story, one that honours a remarkable woman named Ibu Ruby.

The co-owner of Ibu Ruby’s, Haji Mohd Imran, is a German revert to Islam. He is also the co-founder of Positano Risto, one of Kuala Lumpur’s top Muslim-friendly dining establishments, a renowned halal Italian restaurant.

Now, he has brought to life his newest groundbreaking restaurant concept, Ibu Ruby’s, an Indo-Malay restaurant in Lucky Garden, Bangsar.

Ibu Ruby, the founder’s second mother

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s

When Imran moved to Jakarta, Indonesia in 1978, his family hired an Indo-Malay chef named Ibu Ruby from Yogyakarta. With her warm heart and culinary expertise, Ibu Ruby quickly became a second mother to Imran.

She introduced him to the rich flavours of traditional Indonesian and Malay dishes, teaching him the value of home-cooked meals made with love and care. Imran spent hours in her kitchen, learning not only how to cook, but also to appreciate the deep cultural stories behind each dish.

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s

Over the years, Ibu Ruby’s cooking became more than just a source of nourishment for Imran. It became a comfort, a source of connection, and a symbol of family. But beyond the kitchen, she also shared with him something else: a passion for life, for culture, and for faith.

Her stories and nurturing spirit had a profound impact on Imran, and it was through this bond that Imran would eventually embrace Islam in December 1994, just after graduating from university in Jakarta.

Honouring Ibu Ruby’s legacy

Image Credit: MFT (left), Ibu Ruby’s (right)

When Ibu Ruby passed away a decade later, Imran knew that the best way to honour her memory was to share her legacy with the world and that’s when the idea for Ibu Ruby’s Restaurant was born.

He wanted to bring her signature dishes, the ones that had filled his childhood with warmth and love to the world, so others could experience the same comfort and joy he had found in her food.

At Ibu Ruby’s Restaurant, every dish is made from scratch, using only fresh, wholesome ingredients. There are no commercial pastes or MSG used. All of the recipes are made thoroughly, maintaining the authenticity and home-cooked meal taste that Ibu Ruby would have lovingly prepared herself.

The restaurant celebrates both Indonesian and Malay cuisine, blending the flavours of the places that have shaped Imran’s spiritual and culinary journey.

MFT’s verdict

Nasi Lemak Ayam Kalasan

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s

The Nasi Lemak Ayam Kalasan stands out as the highlight of all the dishes we’ve tried from this menu. I may have just found the best nasi lemak in Bangsar. Ayam Goreng Kalasan, an Indonesian dish, features crispy fried chicken topped with kremesan (crunchy bits of fried batter).

This dish hails from Yogyakarta, where Ibu Ruby grew up, and is a recipe she inherited from her grandmother, along with many other dishes featured on the menu.

The chicken is marinated with a great mix of spices like turmeric, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass, plus coconut milk for that rich, tender flavour. Then it’s fried to a beautiful golden crispness with a juicy interior.

Personally, the sambal is what really determines if the nasi lemak is a hit or miss. And this one has a balance of spicy and sweet. If you’re looking to switch up your usual nasi lemak, I approve of this one!

Nasi Ambeng Ayam Rendang

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s

Almost every Malay child will claim their mother’s rendang is the best, and my mom is no exception. However, the chicken rendang served with this Nasi Ambeng Ayam Rendang definitely stood a solid chance. The gravy is rich and thick, with spices and just the right amount of creaminess from the coconut milk.
It instantly takes me back to Aidilfitri—eating rendang with ketupat. The chicken is slow-cooked, making it incredibly tender and soft.

Nasi Sela Beef Dendeng

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s

I couldn’t get enough of the Nasi Sela Beef Dendeng.

The beef had been marinated for hours, absorbing all those rich umami flavours with a subtle hint of sweetness. The smoky, slightly charred notes added extra depth, and the beef was so tender yet still had that satisfying chew.

Pair it with the fragrant nasi sela, rice that is cooked with a mix of coconut milk, herbs and turmeric, and it makes a perfect rich and aromatic combination!

Must-try!

No Indo-Malay rice dish is truly complete without sambal, and here, they serve a delightful variety of homemade options, including Sambal Tomato and Sambal Kelapa. Word on the street is that the chef is crafting a super spicy sambal to debut on the menu soon—you heard it here first!

Enhance your nasi lemak experience with other must-try side dishes like the flavorful beef dendeng minang, terung bakar, refreshing urap kacang botol, and bergedil.

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s

Indo-Malay dessert and unique drinks

Image Credit: Ibu Ruby’s (left), MFT (right)

The Pisang Bakar was grilled just right and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The smokiness of the banana goes together with the sweetness of the ice cream.

And if you’re in the mood for something different, check out these two drinks: Teh Malaya and Jus Tiga Rasa. Teh Malaya combines black tea, gula melaka, pandan, and cinnamon for a herby taste and pandan aroma.

But the real surprise was Jus Tiga Rasa. It’s got the sweet tanginess of pineapple juice, with a kick from cili padi. It’s a wild combo, and worth trying!

Ibu Ruby’s is more than just Indo-Malay cuisine

Beyond the flavours, Ibu Ruby’s Restaurant is a space for connection, reflection, and sharing. It’s a place where food bridges cultures and honors the woman who gave Imran so much.

“I hope that every guest feels the warmth and love of Ibu Ruby’s halal cooking, as each dish here represents a story and a connection to my roots. Through the flavours of Indo-Malay cuisine, my goal is to bring happiness to the world, serving food that is made with love and offered at a great value.” shared Haji Imran

Imran hopes that every diner who walks through the doors feels the nurturing spirit that Ibu Ruby gave him. In every bite of these delicious Malay-Indo dishes, he wants them to experience the same sense of comfort he felt as a young boy in her kitchen.