I first came across Honey In The Rock while scrolling through Instagram, casually hunting for my next food adventure. Then one of their videos popped up on my feed, and something about it made me stop scrolling. Curious, I tapped into their profile, and within seconds, I was completely hooked.
The food looked unlike anything I’d seen before. Every dish felt creative, colourful, and just different enough to make me wonder…
“What is this place… and how have I not heard of it before?”
If you know me, you know I don’t just eat… I explore. I love the thrill of discovering places that surprise me, especially when it comes to food. I’m always chasing flavours I’ve never tasted, textures I didn’t expect, and combinations that make me pause mid-bite and think, “Wait… this is genius.”
So, naturally, Honey In The Rock went straight onto my must-visit list.
There was just something about it. Maybe it was the creativity behind the dishes, or maybe it was the quiet confidence the restaurant seemed to have. It didn’t feel like it was trying too hard to impress people. Instead, it quietly whispered:
“Here’s something you’ve never had before. Trust us, you’re going to love it.”
Honestly, that’s exactly the kind of place I’m always looking for.
✅ About Honey In The Rock
Honey In The Rock is a pork-free restaurant that takes familiar Malaysian favourites and gives them a creative new identity. Instead of simply recreating traditional dishes, the team reimagines them using different techniques, carefully selected ingredients, and unexpected flavour combinations that still feel comforting and recognisably Malaysian.
Even the restaurant’s name carries a deeper meaning. Inspired by a biblical verse that speaks of God providing “honey from the rock,” it reflects the founders’ desire to serve food with purpose, generosity, and gratitude. That philosophy extends beyond the name and into the way the menu has been thoughtfully created.
What I love most is that Honey In The Rock isn’t trying to reinvent Malaysian food for the sake of being different. Every dish still respects the flavours we grew up with, but presents them in a way that’s fresh, exciting, and unlike anything I’ve tasted before.
That’s exactly what first caught my attention.
Where else are you going to find dishes like Oxtail Laksa, Smoked Angus Brisket Ramen, Keluak Chicken Rice or artisanal ice cream in flavours such as Lemon Kesom Black Pepper and Smoked Salmon?
It’s creative without feeling gimmicky, and that’s what makes the restaurant stand out.
✅ First Impressions
From the outside, Honey In The Rock doesn’t immediately catch your attention. It’s located along a row of shoplots in Damansara Kim, and if you didn’t already know it was there, you could easily walk past it.
Step inside, though, and it’s a different story.
The restaurant is fairly small, with a clean, modern interior that feels simple and comfortable. There isn’t a lot of decoration, but I actually liked that because nothing distracted from the food. The space felt relaxed and inviting without trying too hard.
When we visited, every table was occupied, so we waited about 10 minutes before one became available. Thankfully, they have a small waiting area, which made the short wait much more comfortable.
One thing I noticed was how efficiently the restaurant was managed. As soon as diners finished eating, the staff politely cleared the tables and prepared them for the next guests. It never felt rude or rushed. If anything, it showed just how popular the restaurant is.
If you’re planning to visit during lunch or on weekends, I’d recommend coming a little earlier. The restaurant fills up quickly, and once you’re seated, you’ll probably understand why.
✅ The Menu & What I Ordered
With so many interesting dishes on the menu, deciding what to order wasn’t exactly easy. There were several items I wanted to try, but one dish had been on my mind ever since I first discovered Honey In The Rock on Instagram.
The Oxtail Laksa.
My partner, meanwhile, decided to order the Smoked Angus Brisket Ramen, giving us the perfect excuse to steal a few bites from each other’s bowls.
I honestly don’t think we could have picked a better combination for our first visit. After much deliberation, here’s what we ended up ordering.
- Oxtail Laksa
This was the dish I’d been looking forward to the most, and thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. From the very first spoonful, I knew this wasn’t going to taste like any laksa I’d had before.
The broth had incredible depth. It wasn’t as light and tangy as Assam Laksa, nor was it as rich and creamy as Curry Laksa. Instead, it sat somewhere comfortably in between, with a silky consistency that coated every strand of noodle without feeling overly heavy. Familiar enough to remind you of both, yet unique enough to have a personality of its own.
Then came the toppings.
Fresh cucumber, pineapple, thinly sliced onions, red chillies, bunga kantan, calamansi, and a generous spoonful of chilli paste brought freshness, acidity, and little bursts of flavour to every mouthful.
But of course, the real star of the bowl was the oxtail.
Slow-braised until it was fall-off-the-bone tender, the meat was incredibly soft, juicy, and packed with rich, beefy flavour. You could genuinely taste the time and patience that had gone into preparing it.
The portion was generous too. By the time I’d finished, I was comfortably full.
If I had one tiny wish, it would be for a little more heat. I ended up adding extra chilli oil because, well… I like my laksa with a bit more of a kick.
- Smoked Angus Brisket Ramen
My partner chose the Smoked Angus Brisket Ramen, another one of Honey In The Rock’s signature dishes and I had to steal a few bites.
Unlike a traditional bowl of ramen, this is served as a dry noodle dish rather than in broth, and honestly, I thought that made it even more interesting.
The noodles were coated in a light seasoning with a subtle smoky flavour that I’d never tasted before. It wasn’t overpowering, but it added a depth that made the whole dish stand out from any ramen I’ve had previously.
On top were sliced onions, fresh ulam raja, and two thick pieces of smoked Angus brisket.
The brisket was beautifully cooked. Tender enough to pull apart with almost no effort, with just the right amount of fat to keep every bite juicy and full of flavour.
What really brought everything together was the honey garlic soy sauce served on the side. It added a rich, savoury sweetness that paired perfectly with the smoky brisket and fresh herbs. Every bite felt balanced, with the sauce tying all the different flavours together beautifully.
Even though I still preferred my Oxtail Laksa, I’d happily order this again on another visit.
✅ Is Honey In The Rock Worth the Price?
Honey In The Rock is definitely a little more expensive than your average kopitiam or neighbourhood café.
During our visit, the main dishes were priced between RM29 and RM35, while the artisanal ice cream ranged from around RM10 to RM12 per scoop. At first glance, that might seem a little pricey, but once the food arrived, it all started to make sense.
These aren’t dishes you’d find just anywhere. From the slow-braised oxtail to the smoked Angus brisket, it’s clear that a lot of time, care, and quality ingredients go into every plate. On top of that, each dish offers a creative take on familiar Malaysian flavours without losing what makes them so comforting in the first place.
I also thought the portions were fair. Both of us left feeling completely satisfied, and I never once felt like I was paying more than what the food was worth.
Would I eat here every week? Probably not.
But for a weekend foodie adventure, a special occasion, or simply when you’re in the mood to try something genuinely different, I’d happily come back.
Some restaurants leave you remembering the bill.
Honey In The Rock leaves you remembering the food.
✅ Location & Opening Hours
📍 Honey In The Rock
Jalan SS 20/10,
Damansara Kim,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
🕒 Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closed on Mondays
Opening hours may change from time to time, so it’s always a good idea to check Honey In The Rock’s official social media before visiting.
Things to Know Before You Visit
- Arriving a little earlier is a good idea, especially on weekends, as the restaurant fills up quickly.
- A small waiting area is available if all the tables are occupied.
- During busy periods, tables turn over quite quickly, so it’s a better place for enjoying a great meal than lingering for hours after you’ve finished eating.
✅ Final Thoughts
Would I come back again?
Without a doubt.
There are still so many dishes on the menu I’d love to try, from the Keluak Chicken Rice to the Fried Chicken Platter. Then again… there’s also a very good chance I’d end up ordering the Oxtail Laksa all over again because I honestly haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
What I enjoyed most about Honey In The Rock wasn’t just the food. It was the feeling of discovering something completely unexpected. Every dish felt familiar enough to be comforting, yet different enough to make me pause and appreciate the creativity behind it. That’s not something I come across very often.
If you’re someone who enjoys trying restaurants that dare to do things a little differently, I genuinely think Honey In The Rock is worth a visit.
After all…
It all started with an Instagram video that made me stop scrolling.
I’m really glad I did.
Wanderhoney Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Here’s to the next bite.
Xx, Auri 🌻
