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Alunan Rasa – Best Malaysian Cafe in Bayan Lepas

Say hello to Alunan Rasa by Irama Dining in Setia Triangle, Bayan Lepas—your new go-to Penang café for proper Malaysian favourites. Check out the menu, prices, and reviews that everyone’s talking about.

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.

Alunan Rasa by Irama Dining in Penang

We caught up with founder Arshad Kamarulzaman to hear the story behind the Irama Dining Group (IDG).

Mr Arshad, who personally designs and curates every IDG outlet alongside the stylish Miss Bella, calls Alunan Rasa his “brainchild”—and you can see the pride in his smile.

“We already have six outlets across Penang and one in Kuala Lumpur,” he shared.

Here’s a quick look at the IDG journey.

2015 – Lagenda House & Café, Carnarvon Street: The first step into Penang’s café scene.

2019 – Irama Dining, Penang: Bringing modern Malaysian cuisine to a stylish setting.

2022 – Sutera Restaurant and Irama Dining Kuala Lumpur: Expanding both concept and reach.

2022 – The Tamarra: Introducing a new casual dining experience.

2024 – Luffa: Continuing the signature style with contemporary Malaysian flavours.

2025 – Tamarra Event Space (The Glasshouse by the Sea): Offering a unique event venue with IDG flair.

2025 – Alunan Rasa, Setia Triangle, Bayan Lepas: A curated “playlist” of Malaysian favourites under one roof.

“Each outlet adds a new flavour to the group’s story—but the passion behind them stays the same,” Mr Arshad explained. Now you don’t have to drive across the island for that one dish—Alunan Rasa brings it to you, especially for those in Bayan Lepas and Bayan Baru

Mr. Arshad Kamarulzaman and Miss Bella with the Alunan Rasa café team during the soft opening in Setia Triangle, Bayan Lepas

Mr. Arshad Kamarulzaman and Miss Bella leading the Alunan Rasa soft launch—powering one of Penang’s favourite cafe vibes.

SmartDory editor Doris Lim with Mr. Arshad Kamarulzaman and the Alunan Rasa team at the café’s soft opening in Setia Triangle, Penang

Doris Lim joins Mr. Arshad and the Alunan Rasa team for their soft launch—a warm celebration of food and community in Bayan Lepas.

Alunan Rasa: Penang Café with KL Vibes

Step inside Alunan Rasa and you’re greeted by high ceilings, wooden floors, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The design takes cues from Luffa’s signature style, featuring soft arches, landscape wallpaper, and earthy green tones.

A smooth jazz playlist sets the mood—it’s the perfect backdrop for a relaxed meal or coffee catch-up.

Live nearby? Two semi-private nooks, seating 10 and 12, make it easy to enjoy group gatherings in Bayan Lepas without any fuss.

Cozy interior of Alunan Rasa café in Bayan Lepas with warm wooden floors, earthy tones, and a modern Malaysian café design

Warm wooden floors, soft lighting, and earthy tones bring calm and comfort to Alunan Rasa’s beautifully designed café in Setia Triangle.

Spacious Interior and High Ceilings at Alunan Rasa Café, Setia Triangle

Alunan Rasa café interior with high ceilings, bright open space, and two semi-private dining areas ideal for groups in Bayan Lepas

Alunan Rasa Penang Menu Highlights

Prices at Alunan Rasa by Irama Dining start from just RM9.90—yes, really.

Affordable Malaysian favourites in a stylish café setting. Here’s what we tried:

⭐ Nasi Kacang Ayam Bawang (RM11.90)

This easily beats your average Nasi Kandar meal. A full roasted chicken leg, fragrant rice, fiery sambal, and crunchy pickled veggies are served hot in a clean, air-conditioned space.

No sweat, no sticky tables.

Compare that with a basic ayam goreng set on delivery apps at RM11.60—plain rice, kuah campur, zero ambience.

Here, you get full flavour, full portion, full comfort.

Sup Ayam Kampung with Crispy Bengali Bread (RM9.90)

A tight hug in a bowl—light, soupy, yet packed with punch.

This chicken soup is rich, warming, and full of soul.

Every spoonful feels like it’s doing something good for your insides.

Pair it with the crispy Bengali bread—tear, dip, soak, repeat.

Delivery apps may offer a basic ayam soup at RM9.50, but nothing compares to the cosy café setting and flavours that feel like home

A bowl of traditional Sup Ayam Kampung served with crispy, golden Bengali bread on the side

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!

Thick grilled chicken satay marinated with lemongrass and spices, basted in sauce over the grill at Alunan Rasa, Penang.

Satay Salut Alunan – possibly the best satay in Penang. Juicy chicken thighs grilled with sauce for extra flavour in every bite.

Takeaway chicken satay from Alunan Rasa, grilled with sauce and packed fresh—so good my mom ate all six sticks.

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.

Spaghetti Laksa Irama served with creamy, spicy laksa gravy and topped with two large prawns

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 salmon with lemon butter at Alunan Rasa, served with crispy skin, tender flesh, and creamy mashed potatoes.

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.

Hot latte with golden crema served with soft Victoria sponge cake layered with jam and whipped cream at Alunan Rasa.

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, and a drizzle of smoky gula melaka syrup gives it a 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

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