“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 knows I’m impossible to convince once I’ve decided I’m craving something, so instead of arguing, he simply started looking for a place.
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.
✅ About Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar
Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar is one of Cyberjaya’s most popular spots for grilled seafood, serving everything from freshly grilled fish and squid to prawns, shellfish, and a wide selection of traditional Malay dishes. It’s the kind of place locals think of when an ikan bakar craving strikes, which probably explains why it’s almost always busy during meal times.
Unlike many ikan bakar restaurants that focus on just one signature dish, Zam offers an extensive selection of dishes. Besides its famous ikan bakar, you’ll also find gulai kawah, nasi campur, fried seafood, tom yum, vegetables, and other Malaysian favourites, making it easy for everyone at the table to find something they’ll enjoy.
What keeps people coming back is the restaurant’s emphasis on freshly prepared seafood. The fish is grilled to order and served with classic accompaniments like air asam and kicap cili, simple flavours that let the freshness of the seafood take centre stage.
After visiting for myself, I could immediately see why it’s become such a favourite among seafood lovers around Cyberjaya.
✅ First Impressions
The first thing I noticed when we arrived was just how spacious the restaurant was.
Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar stretches across three shop lots, giving it plenty of room for everyone, whether you’re dining alone, catching up with friends, or bringing the whole family along. There are two seating options to choose from: an air-conditioned indoor section and an open-air dining area facing the street.
We arrived at around 6:00 PM, just before the dinner crowd started pouring in. The outdoor tables were already filling up, but there were still plenty of seats available indoors, so we headed straight inside. I actually preferred it there because it was cooler, quieter, and much more comfortable after spending the afternoon out.
Don’t expect fancy décor or an Instagram-worthy interior.
Inside, everything is simple and practical. The focus isn’t on fancy décor. It’s on enjoying a good meal. The tables are well spaced, everything felt tidy, and despite its size, the restaurant still had a relaxed atmosphere that made us feel comfortable from the moment we sat down.
By the time we finished ordering, more and more diners had started arriving, and it’s easy to see why so many people choose to dine here.
✅ The Menu & What We Ordered
One thing I really liked was just how much there was to choose from.
As the name suggests, grilled seafood is the main attraction, but the menu goes well beyond just ikan bakar. You’ll find a wide selection of fresh fish, prawns, squid, cockles, clams, and other seafood, along with different cooking styles like celup tepung if you’re in the mood for something crispy instead of grilled.
If seafood isn’t enough, there are also plenty of side dishes and cooked meals to choose from, including vegetables, tom yum, rice dishes, and other Malaysian favourites. It’s especially handy if you’re dining in a group, since everyone can order something different.
Ordering is simple. Once you’re seated, you browse the menu, choose your seafood, and the kitchen prepares everything fresh before it’s served to your table.
Since we came with one mission in mind, there was never much debate about what to order.
🐟 What We Ordered
For dinner, we ordered:
- 🐟 Siakap Bakar
- 🦪 Kerang Bakar
- 🥬 Kailan Goreng
- 🍚 Steamed White Rice
Our grilled siakap arrived with 2 classic dipping sauces that complemented it beautifully:
- 🌶️ Air Asam – a refreshing mix of tamarind, sliced shallots, tomatoes, and chillies that added a bright, tangy kick to every bite.
- 🥢 Kicap Cili Potong – soy sauce mixed with chopped chillies, onions, and calamansi for a savoury, spicy finish.
Grilled Siakap
The siakap was exactly what I had been craving. After talking about ikan bakar all the way home, that first bite felt especially satisfying.
The fish was grilled until the skin had a light char, while the flesh remained moist, tender, and flaky. Every bite carried that unmistakable flavour from the grill without overpowering the natural sweetness of the fish. Paired with the air asam, it was the kind of combination that kept me reaching for another bite.
🦪 Kerang Bakar
The grilled cockles were another highlight of the meal.
They were fresh, plump, and generously coated in a savoury sauce that was so addictive I found myself sucking every shell clean just to enjoy the last bit of it. If you’re a fan of cockles, I’d definitely recommend ordering this alongside the fish.
🥬 Kailan Goreng
To balance all the seafood, we added a plate of Kailan Goreng.
It was simple but well done. The vegetables stayed crisp, the seasoning was just right, and the fried egg on top added a nice finishing touch.
Overall, I really enjoyed the meal.
The only downside was that the food cooled down a little faster than I expected, and the rice wasn’t served as hot as I would have liked. Grilled seafood is always at its best when it’s fresh off the grill, so that was slightly disappointing.
Even so, the quality of the seafood easily made up for it.
I wouldn’t call this the best ikan bakar I’ve ever had, and that’s perfectly okay.
It’s the kind of place you visit when you’re craving good grilled seafood without expecting anything overly fancy. The food is satisfying, there’s no shortage of choices, and by the end of the meal, my ten-year “ikan bakar craving” had finally been taken care of.
✅ Is Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar Worth the Price?
One thing I appreciated about Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar was that the prices felt fair for the quality and variety of seafood on offer.
Smaller grilled fish start from around RM12, while larger options like Siakap Bakar are priced at around RM31.50 à la carte. If you’d rather have a complete meal, Zam also offers grilled seafood set meals ranging from RM20 to RM85, depending on your choice of seafood. Beyond the grilled selections, you’ll also find a wide variety of vegetables, soups, shellfish, and other side dishes, making it easy to order according to your appetite or budget.
Considering everything we ordered, the overall value felt reasonable.
But if you’re looking for good grilled seafood at reasonable prices without driving too far from Cyberjaya or Putrajaya, I think Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar is a solid choice. It satisfied exactly what I came for that evening: a good plate of ikan bakar after a very long craving.
✅ Location & Opening Hours
Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar is located at CBD Perdana 2, Cyberjaya, just a few minutes’ drive from the town centre. Thanks to its bright yellow signboard, it’s fairly easy to spot, even if it’s your first visit.
Parking is the only thing I’d plan ahead for. There are plenty of parking spaces around the shop lots, but they fill up quite quickly during peak lunch and dinner hours. If you’re planning to visit on a weekend or during the dinner rush, I’d recommend arriving a little earlier to avoid circling around looking for a space.
📍 Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar
Lot 4806-0-09, CBD Perdana 2,
Jalan Perdana,
63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor.
🕒 Opening Hours
Daily: 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Official Website: Zam Ikan Bakar
Opening hours may vary during public holidays, so it’s always a good idea to check Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar’s official social media before visiting.
✅ Would I Come Again?
Yes… especially the next time an ikan bakar craving hits.
Restaurant Zam Ikan Bakar may not have served the best grilled fish I’ve ever eaten, but it gave me exactly what I was hoping for that evening
The seafood was fresh, there were plenty of dishes to choose from, and the overall dining experience was enjoyable. There were a couple of small things that could be improved, like serving the food hotter, but they weren’t enough to stop me from coming back.
If I do visit again, I’d probably arrive a little earlier to avoid the dinner crowd and make parking easier.
So yes, I have a feeling this won’t be my last visit.
After all… ten years is apparently the maximum amount of time my partner is allowed to keep me waiting for ikan bakar. 😂
Wanderhoney Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)
Until my next craving,
Xx, Hani 🌻
