THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE AT IKEA DAMANSARA

17TH OCTOBER 2025 ~ I arrived a bit too early at Royale Chulan The Curve to check in and I needed a place to sit down and have brunch while waiting for the time to go to Friday Prayer. The instant decision was to go to IKEA at IPC Mall just opposite the hotel, the place where many Malaysians go to dine eat rather than shop.

One reason this place is popular is because of its spacious dining area. One could just sit there with friends for hours to chat and gossip.

I had Nasi Lemak with a piece of fried chicken, Garlic Bread with Mushroom Soup, 2 pieces of Chicken "Popia" [Spring Rolls] and the free flow of coffee for an IKEA member.

The second reason why IKEA is a favourite place among Malaysians is because of its reasonable prices for the food and drinks. I had only to pay RM17.30 for all the food [and coffee] I had that morning.

The Fried Noodles was actually the food I brought all the way from Johor Bahru. I took it home from the surau the evening before and got it refrigerated. I had extra food in the plate for brunch.

If I were to stay at Royale Chulan the Curve again, I would not mind visiting IKEA Cafe for any meal.

GOING BACK TO IKEA FOR LUNCH

We went back to IKEA to have lunch as we needed to have lunch. The reward was to celebrate our success in chopping down a big tree behind my house, and to clear the huge trunk, branches and leaves as well.

Nasi Lemak + Meat Balls

As usual, the main dish bought at the cafe was the iconic IKEA meatballs. The rice of the day was Nasi Lemak but I was expecting to eat Fried Rice before coming.

One thing I like about dining in the cafe in IKEA was that I could drink the coffee as much as I liked. As I managed to retrieve my membership which I registered a long time ago today, the coffee was given free of charge.

Spring Rolls

As I was about to eat, someone approached me at the table and it was an ex-student of SMK Dato' Jaafar, Mr. Hazmi. He saw me coming in while he was enjoying his food with his father.

I guess next time I would have to take Mr. Eko, my assistant gardener, somewhere else for lunch. This was already our second time eating lunch here, after two months. However, he really fancied the Meat Balls as the were similar to the Indonesian Bakso.

THE LUNCH SESSION AT IKEA WITH A NEIGHBOUR

I had a craving for Ikea food for the last few days, and was eventually sated with rice, fried chicken, meatballs and Popia [Spring Rolls] for lunch.

I managed to get a neighbour, Mr. Eko, to tag along for the first time.

We also went walking around in the mall attached to Ikea building, Toppen, before going home. It was a short outing but the chat with my [new] Indonesian neighbour was in fact very interesting. I am looking forward to other coffee sessions with Mr. Eko after this.

THE BREAKFAST DATE WITH EX-COLLEAGUES AT IKEA

Finally the plan to meet up with ex-colleagues of SMK Mutiara Rini who were in the English Department [one person is still teaching in school] was executed. There used to be more English teachers but now there are only a few left,.

The chosen venue was IKEA Tebrau city - we were the typical Malaysians who visit Ikea to eat. This was however my first time going there for breakfast. Before this, it was always lunch.

By looking at the amount of food we ordered, the breakfast was converted to brunch. Especially when we stayed there for 2 hours and a half to eat and chat.

Thank you to Puan Norra Abd. Wahab and Puan Nor Azrin Taib for the get together session. We should be doing this more often despite the heavy schedule of the person who is still working.

LONG TIME NO IKEA

It was time to visit IKEA again. Definitely not to buy anything from the store but to join the crowd at the cafe.

One reason why IKEA Cafe is popular should be because of its reasonable food prices. All the food items on the trolley cost only RM60++ for two. And apart from that, the refill coffee/tea/carbonated drinks concept should also be one of the attractions. The signature dish would be none other than its famous meatballs.

Thanks Mr. Solihin Ramli for the company for late lunch. The last we met was during the Brunei trip back in end of May.

MY FIRST TIME AT TOPPEN SHOPPING MALL

6th MARCH 2021 ~ Toppen is one of the latest shopping malls in Johor Bahru and it was opened to the public in November 2019. However, only after than one year, I finally stepped my foot here. And that happened as my friend arrived late for our lunch date at the cafe in IKEA so I had to do something to kill time.

Toppen is attached to IKEA so in a way, they are expecting people to stop by once they are done shopping for furniture, electrical appliances or/and other household necessities and accessories.

There were not many people when I was there in the afternoon. The crowd was bearable and manageable. There were more people at IKEA Cafe than at the mall. One reason: the Singaporeans are not here.

There were actually other attractions at the mall, like at the rooftop area that I might explore some other time.

So will I visit Toppen again after this? I surely will but just to go and eat at the restaurants there, and not to shop. This should be a suitable venue to hang out with friends.