Singing with Chef Ismail at Rebung

If you have a fancy for traditional origins and the comforting taste of kampong fare from the past, come and try the many delicacies at Rebung Restaurant. Rebung or bamboo shoots incorporates vivid color combinations and contrasts, contemporary furniture and a modest collection of traditional Malay household utensils and accessories.

In the true spirit of tradition, it also displays Malay artifacts paraphernalia and apt décor pieces owned by celebrity Chef Ismail and his business partner, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al-Masri, the first Malaysian astronaut.

Opting to sit outside, I sat to a pleasant deco of garden chairs, taking in the cool night breeze, smell of good food and sounds of customers singing karaoke. Having ordered a’la-carte style, they served the appetizer which was Pengat Pisang (bananas in sweet sauce). I tried their signature Nasi Goreng Rebung Special which was fried rice with seafood, an omelet and salad on the side. This was also served with a generous helping of Rendang Tok. It was delicious!

Drinks were an interesting affair. I just had to try this drink called Janda Pulang. You might ask what’s in a name. The name is derived from the tale of a divorce (janda) being welcomed home by her lover with this sweet drink. It’s an interesting drink of coconut shavings in homemade sorbet syrup with a tinge of richness of young coconut juice. Add in some ice cubes and it’s an ice-cool exotic drink, cool and refreshing!

Other interesting drinks were Puteri Ayu, Mayang Sari and Puteri Kasturi. Something else to try next time.

Having had a stint as host for various cookery programmes for local television like Aroma, Hey Good Cooking, Diet Riang Ria Bersama Cornflakes and Ala-Ala Kampung in Malaysia and Yok Buat Kuih Raya! in Singapore, Chef Ismail vouches for the food he serves in his restaurant. It is a tribute to the wonderfully varied tastes in food that he has inherited from our forefathers.

Coffee was served as the closing of the dinner. What was more surprising was Chef Ismail himself came out of the kitchen to say ‘hello’ to the patrons. Talk about good customer service.

While sipping piping hot coffee, an old friend, Nizal who was also there with his friends coaxed me to karaoke. I did, nervously. As I was about to leave the stage after the song, Chef Ismail once again emerged and we ended up singing Dua Insan Bercinta, a song by M. Nasir and Yunizar Hussien. He sang like a pro and that was a perfect ending to a perfect dinner in my books.

So give Rebung in Bangsar Park a try. You never know you might just have a chance to sing with Chef Ismail and bump into Sheikh Muszaphar while you’re there.