Say hello to Alunan Rasa in Setia Triangle, your new go-to cafe in Bayan Lepas for proper Malaysian favourites!
You don’t have to leave your neighbourhood to enjoy your favorite Malaysian food.
No crawling through George Town traffic.
No overpriced “hipster fusion” plates.
Just honest, delicious local dishes in a fresh, jazzy space with KL cafe vibes!
High ceilings, plenty of light, and a whole lot of flavour.
What makes it extra special?
Every dish at Alunan Rasa comes from a different restaurant in the IDG (Irama Dining Group) family.
It’s like a curated playlist of Malaysian food, served under one beautifully designed roof.
Let’s dive in. You’re going to want to eat everything like me!
Now that’s clever.
Quick Chat with Arshad Kamarulzaman
Smartdory caught up with debonair founder Arshad Kamarulzaman—the man behind every IDG outlet, alongside the ever-stylish Miss Bella.
Shad, who personally designs and curates the theme for all his F&B spaces, called Alunan Rasa his “brainchild.”
You can tell he’s beaming with pride.
“We already have six outlets across Penang and one in KL,” Arshad said, listing them off like a proud dad.
“I started my first café back in 2015,” Arshad said, listing each new outlet like a proud dad.
It began with Lagenda House & Café on Carnarvon Street.
Then came Irama Dining in 2019, followed by Sutera Restaurant and Irama Dining Kuala Lumpur in 2022.
That same year, they launched The Tamarra.
Luffa opened in 2024, with Tamarra Event Space (The Glasshouse by the Sea) launching in Ramadan 2025.
Alunan Rasa joining the family in July 2025.
“Each outlet adds a new flavour to the group’s story—but the passion behind them stays the same,” said Mr. Shad.
Mr. Arshad Kamarulzaman and Miss Bella leading the Alunan Rasa soft launch—powering one of Penang’s favourite cafe vibes.
Doris Lim joins Mr. Arshad and the Alunan Rasa team for their soft launch—a warm celebration of food and community in Bayan Lepas.
Instead of you driving all over the island for that one dish, now the food comes to you—especially for folks in Bayan Lepas and Bayan Baru.
Contents
Alunan Rasa: Penang Café with KL Vibes
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by high ceilings, wood floors, and warm café vibes.
The design nods to Luffa’s signature style with soft arches, landscape wallpaper, and earthy greens.
There’s a jazz playlist playing, and yes—it’s a whole vibe.
Live nearby?
There are two semi-private nooks (seating 10 and 12), perfect for gatherings with no fuss.
Warm wooden floors, soft lighting, and earthy tones bring calm and comfort to Alunan Rasa’s beautifully designed café in Setia Triangle.
Alunan Rasa café interior with high ceilings, bright open space, and two semi-private dining areas ideal for groups in Bayan Lepas
Now Let’s Talk About the Food
Prices start at RM9.90, and yes, we double-checked that.
It’s that affordable.
Here’s what we tried at Alunan Rasa by Irama Dining.
⭐ Nasi Kacang Ayam Bawang
(RM11.90)
This one easily beats your average Nasi Kandar meal.
You get a full roasted chicken leg, fragrant rice, fiery sambal, and crunchy pickled veggies—served hot in a clean, comfy, air-conditioned café.
No sweat, no sticky tables.
Now compare that with a basic ayam goreng set on FoodPanda at RM11.60, served with plain rice and kuah campur.
This is real value. Full flavour, full portion, full comfort.
Sup Ayam Kampung with Crispy Bengali Bread
(RM9.90)
A tight hug in a bowl—especially if you’re working late and want something light, soupy, but still with a punch.
This Sup Ayam isn’t just comfort food.
It’s chicken soup for the soul ultra rich, warming, and full of soul.
The kind of chicken soup that makes you sit up straighter and breathe easier.
Every spoonful feels like it’s doing something good for your insides.
I got all warm and fuzzy inside thinking sipping it on a rainy day.
Love dunking? The crispy Bengali bread is made for it. Tear, dip, soak, repeat.
Basic ayam soup on delivery apps is RM9.50—but you won’t get this kind of soul or setting.
For just a little more, you get a clean, cosy space, proper service, and a bowl that tastes like Mom made it for the family.
Hearty, fragrant Sup Ayam Kampung paired with crispy Bengali bread—classic comfort with a crunch.
Satay Salut Alunan
(RM14.90)
Forget dry, skinny satay sticks.
These are thick-cut, juicy chicken thighs, marinated in lemongrass and spices, then grilled with the sauce.
That means every bite is smoky, saucy, and packed with flavour—no extra dipping needed.
Messy? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely.
For me, it is the best satay in Penang.
I ordered a second set to take home… and my mom finished all of it by herself.
Not even one left for me!
I guess another makan trip to Alunan Rasa is in order next time I have satay cravings!
Satay Salut Alunan – possibly the best satay in Penang. Juicy chicken thighs grilled with sauce for extra flavour in every bite.
Took home another order of Satay Salut from Alunan Rasa (4 + balanced 2) and my mom finished all six sticks. Juicy, saucy, and totally addictive.
Spaghetti Laksa Irama
(RM25.90)
This one’s wild—in the best way possible.
If you’re a fan of torch ginger buds and creamy, spicy laksa, buckle up.
This isn’t your typical laksa.
Instead of the usual noodles, you get perfectly cooked spaghetti swirling in that rich, aromatic laksa gravy.
It’s bold.
It’s unexpected.
And yes, it totally works.
Topped with two big, juicy prawns instead of fish, it’s perfect for anyone who loves laksa but not the fishy-fishy business.
Creamy.
Fragrant.
Slightly cheeky.
Just like someone you’d swipe right on. (Oops.)
Spaghetti Laksa Irama is laksa, reimagined—creamy, spicy, and packed with prawns and punchy flavour.
Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter
(RM32.00)
Feeling a little fancy? This salmon gets it.
Beautifully grilled with a crisp, golden skin and flaky, tender flesh underneath.
The lemon butter sauce adds just the right zing.
Bright, buttery, and a little indulgent without going over the top.
And the mash? Oh, the mash.
If you’re the kind of person who judges a place by their mashed potatoes (same here), you’ll love this one.
Ultra-smooth, creamy, and comforting.
I felt I needed a spoon to eat by the bowl!
Grilled to perfection with crisp skin and flaky meat, this salmon with lemon butter sauce and creamy mash is pure comfort on a plate.
Hot Latte
(RM9.90)
Silky smooth and strong, the latte comes with a golden crema that says, “Yes, we take coffee seriously here.”
It warms you up, wakes you up—just the way a good brew should.
Pair it with the Victoria Sponge Cake—soft, fluffy, and tender.
A British classic that’s been lovingly done right, and one of the Editor’s childhood favourites.
The sponge is sandwiched with sweet jam, smothered in whipped cream, and best enjoyed fresh.
Pure nostalgia. Pure joy.
Silky hot latte meets classic Victoria sponge—fluffy, jam-filled, and smothered with cream. A match made for slow afternoons.
Bubur Somsom (Dessert)
(RM6.90)
Soft, chilled, and silky smooth, this coconut milk pudding is Malaysia’s answer to panna cotta.
A touch of salt balances the creamy base (I so like!)
A drizzle of smoky gula melaka syrup gives it that deep caramel finish.
Sweet, salty, and downright delicious.
The editor never skips this one. Sometimes, she even orders two.
Final Thoughts
Every dish packs real flavour. The prices are kind. And the vibe? You’ll want to move in.
If you live or work near Setia Triangle, Bayan Lepas, or Bayan Baru, this place is a game changer.
No more crossing the island for Irama Dining, Lagenda, Sutera, or Luffa.
Now the greatest hits are playing right near you.
Eat in, take out, or sip a latte while pretending to work—Alunan Rasa is your new go-to.
Alunan Rasa by Irama Dining
Address: Shop Lot, Setia Triangle, R-01-32, Persiaran Kelicap, Setia Triangle, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Phone: 012-663 4643
