A Plate of Bumbu Babah

By Awliya

 I discovered Bumbu Babah through the many viral food videos on TikTok. At first, I was simply curious because so many people were sharing their experiences and recommending the restaurant. Coincidentally, while my family and I were in Johor Bahru, my dad suggested that we try it. Since I had never eaten nasi padang before, I was excited to see what the hype was all about.

My first nasi padang experience was at Bumbu Babah, Setia Tropika, Johor Bahru. Honestly, I was surprised from the very first bite. I had never tasted a combination of flavours that worked so perfectly together. Their nasi padang set comes with rice, vegetables, half a boiled egg, green sambal, red sambal, and a rich  curry . As someone who loves curry  dishes, this meal was exactly what I enjoy. That was the moment I fell in love with nasi padang. What makes the meal even more special is how every component on the plate complements one another. The green sambal  adds a fresh spicy kick, while the red sambal provides a balance of sweetness and heat. When everything is mixed together with the rice and curry, the flavours become incredibly satisfying and addictive.

Even though there are many nasi padang restaurants in Malaysia, I have yet to find one that gives me the same experience as Bumbu Babah. Every time I think about it, I start craving it again. It has easily become one of my comfort foods. Since Bumbu Babah has several branches across Malaysia, I do not have to wait until I visit Johor Bahru to enjoy it. Whenever I am craving nasi padang, I simply look for the nearest Bumbu Babah branch to my current location. If I am in the mood for nasi padang, Bumbu Babah is always the first place that comes to mind. Sometimes, I already know exactly what I want to order before I even arrive at the restaurant. To me, food that constantly makes you want to come back for more is truly something special, and Bumbu Babah has done exactly that since my very first visit.

I am actually not someone who eats a lot. Most of the time, I only eat half to one scoop of rice and often leave food unfinished. However, whenever I eat at Bumbu Babah, I almost always finish my entire meal. There is something about the flavours that keeps me wanting another bite. I would even describe it as addictive because every mouthful makes me look forward to the next one. It is honestly difficult for me to fully describe how good the food is through words alone. No matter how much I write about it, I feel like it still would not do the food justice. You really have to try it yourself to understand what I mean.

The menu that I order every single time is Dendeng Batokok. I usually add beef tendon curry, and sometimes I also add  Balado Eggplant. The beef in the Dendeng Batokok is incredibly tender and easy to eat. The portion size is also reasonable since the meat is weighed by grams. As for the Eggplant Balado, the eggplant is soft and perfectly cooked, while the sambal has the ideal combination of spicy and sweet flavours. It is truly a perfect combination. The beef tendon curry t is another dish that I highly recommend because the gravy is thick, rich, and packed with flavour. When eaten with warm rice, it creates a meal that is both comforting and satisfying. To this day, Dendeng Batokok, Beef tendon curry and Balado Eggplant remain my go-to order whenever I visit Bumbu Babah.

One unique thing about Bumbu Babah is that they do not offer a wide variety of drinks like most restaurants. Instead, they only provide canned drinks and bottled mineral water. However, customers can request ice if they want. Ordering food is also very straightforward. Customers simply queue up, choose their dishes, receive their food immediately, and pay at the counter. Even though the concept is simple, the service is quick and efficient, so there is usually very little waiting time.

In terms of pricing, I believe the food is reasonably priced considering its quality and taste. Prices start from around RM7.50 for a nasi padang set with fried eggplant for members.A more complete meal, such as nasi padang with Beef tendon curry, fried catfish, and Crispy Chicken, can cost around RM19.80. For non-members, prices usually range from approximately RM8.35 to RM22.00 depending on the selected dishes. Considering the portions, flavours, and quality of the food, I personally think the prices are worth it.

My family has a membership account registered under my mother’s phone number because we eat at Bumbu Babah quite often. Through the membership programme, we are able to collect points and enjoy discounts on our purchases. When dining as a family, the savings can add up and make a noticeable difference. Although the discount may not seem huge at first, it is still a great benefit for regular customers. Over time, the collected points can also be redeemed for additional rewards.

Overall, Bumbu Babah is one of my favourite foods at the moment, and it is a place that I will continue to revisit. Even if I eat it every week, I never get bored because every meal feels just as enjoyable as the first time I tried it. The combination of spices, sambals, curry , and flavourful side dishes always leaves me wanting more. For me, Bumbu Babah is more than just a restaurant. It is the place that introduced me to the world of nasi padang and made me fall in love with it from the very first bite. If you ever have the chance to try Bumbu Babah, I highly recommend it. Whether you are already a nasi padang lover or someone trying it for the first time, Bumbu Babah is definitely worth a visit.