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“I’ve been craving Ikan Bakar for 10 years, and you’ve never taken me to eat it!”

That was me, going full drama mode with my partner as we drove back from Kuala Lumpur. Of course, the “10 years” was pure exaggeration—my way of saying it’s been way too long.

“Lies. I brought you to eat Ikan Bakar in Johor Bahru last time,” he replied, laughing.

I paused.

“Oh… yes? I forgot about that. But still, I really want to eat Ikan Bakar for dinner today. Please…”

Being the great partner he is, he pulled over to the side of the road, grabbed his phone, and immediately switched into my “personal food scout”. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him focus so seriously on the screen—he always puts in the effort whenever I say I’m craving something. A quick search later, he looked up with a grin. He’d found Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar in Cyberjaya. Not only was it close by, but it was also one of the most popular, top-rated spots for grilled fish in the area, and that was it—dinner was decided. 

📍 Location

Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar sits along a row of shop lots at LOT 4806-0-09, CBD Perdana 2, Jalan Perdana, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor. It’s hard to miss—the bright yellow signage and the lively crowd make it stand out, even from a distance. The buzz here is real; it’s the kind of place you could find just by following the delicious smoky aroma of grilled seafood drifting through the air.

Parking is generally easy to navigate, but finding a spot can be tricky during peak hours. You might need to circle around a bit before you find one. If you want to avoid the hassle, aim to arrive a bit earlier or wait until after the rush has passed.

✅ Ambience & Vibe 

The moment you walk in, the place feels relaxed and welcoming. The restaurant is spacious, spread across three shop lots, with plenty of tables for small groups, families, and big gatherings. You can choose between indoor seating—where it’s cooler and more comfortable—or the open-air outdoor area, which has a livelier, street-side charm.

No fancy decor here—just a clean, functional setup that focuses on comfort over style. Everything is well-kept, and the casual vibe makes it a place you can drop by for lunch, swing by after work, or visit in your weekend clothes without feeling out of place.

When we arrived at around 6 PM, the place wasn’t packed yet. The outdoor section was already full, but the indoor area still had plenty of empty tables, so we headed straight inside. The quieter indoor setting made it easy to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed. 

✅ The Menu & What We Ordered

One thing you’ll notice right away at the restaurant is the variety. The seafood selection is huge—from different types of fish to prawns, squid, and shellfish. They also offer different cooking styles, such as celup tepung (batter-fried) if you’re in the mood for something other than grilled, plus other menu options like tom yum for those craving something soupy, warm, and comforting.

Service is straightforward: you sit down, flip through the menu, choose your seafood, and they’ll grill it fresh before serving it to your table.

Since we came with a clear mission (Ikan Bakar!), we ordered a whole Siakap to be grilled. To complete the meal, we added:

• Kailan Goreng (stir-fried kailan)
• Kerang Bakar (grilled cockles)
• White rice

The Ikan Bakar came with two classic dipping sauces:

• Air Asam — a tangy, slightly spicy dipping sauce made from tamarind juice, sliced shallots, chilies, and tomatoes. It’s fresh, zesty, and perfect for cutting through the smokiness of grilled fish.
• Kicap Cili Potong — soy sauce with chopped onions, chilies, and a squeeze of lime or calamansi for a salty, tangy-sweet, and spicy kick.

The fish was grilled just right—smoky, tender, and flaky with the marinade seeping right into the flesh. The cockles were fresh and plump, topped with a sauce so addictive I found myself sucking the shells clean just to get every last drop. The kailan was crisp and flavorful, with the fried egg on top giving it a nice extra touch.

If there’s one downside, it’s that the food cooled down quite quickly, and the rice was served cold. Grilled seafood always shines best when it’s served hot and steaming, so that was a little disappointing. Still, the freshness of the fish and cockles made up for it.

I wouldn’t call the food here mind-blowing—it’s not the kind that makes you stop mid-bite in awe. It’s good, slightly above average, with variety as its biggest strength. It’s the kind of place that hits the spot when you’re craving fresh seafood, and while it may not wow you, it certainly won’t leave you disappointed.

✅ Would I Come Again?

Maybe.

If I’m ever hit with a craving for smoky, well-grilled fish or juicy shellfish, I can see myself coming back without hesitation. It’s one of those spots that’s easy to remember when you need something to satisfy that seafood craving.

Also, timing is everything here. I can imagine lunch hours being a whole different story—livelier, noisier, and much busier. I’d skip peak lunch or dinner times, as seating can be tricky and you might end up waiting quite a while. If you want a more relaxed dining experience, come early in the evening or after the rush.

For now, my long-standing craving has been satisfied, but I have a feeling this won’t be my last visit.

Until my next craving,
Xx, Hani ✨

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