Gombak Food Festival 2.0: Ayam Gepuk Hits The Spot!

By, Nur Fadzillah binti Noor Fauzi and Nur Farisha Atika binti Nor Asmadi

The Gombak Food Festival returned with vibrant energy by drawing in crowds of students, staff and food lovers from all walks of campus life at IIUM. This event was organized by Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) students in Semester 2, 2024/2025. Choosing what to eat can be overwhelming due to a variety of vendors offering anything from contemporary mixed foods to traditional dishes. 

There was one stall you should not have missed which was the Ayam Gepuk Jogja stall run by the passionate duo who prefer to be called, Puan Jamilah and Encik Raja Amirul. Their signature dish nasi ayam gepuk was quickly a favourite among students. As evidenced by the long lines and joyful smiles, this booth offered more than just food as it also offered a perfectly balanced mix of tradition and spice. You will know why everyone is talking as soon as you taste their juicy fried chicken served with a handmade sambal. 

Recipe passed down with love 

It all began with a family recipe that was influenced by the spicy flavors of Jogja, Indonesia that was passed down from Puan Jamilah’s mother who was the backbone of it all. Every dish from the spicy sambal that leaves you craving for more to the crispy fried chicken which is perfectly cooked. 

Puan Jamilah and Encik Raja Amirul have been providing comfort and the best in every meal since they opened for business in 2022. They were participating in the Gombak Food Festival for the second time and if you had seen the crowd around their stall, you will know they had made quite the impression.

A Taste That Tells a Story 

Many students often crave food that carries memories, which are meals that come straight from a home’s kitchen. That is exactly what you can find in Nasi Ayam Gepuk Jogja, lovingly prepared by a dedicated husband-and-wife team, Puan Jamilah and Encik Raja Amirul. Inspired by a traditional recipe from Puan Jamilah’s mother, this dish blends the warmth of home-cooked comfort with the bold flavours of Javanese tradition. 

The crispy fried chicken, tofu and their signature sambal gepuk that pounded fresh and balanced with just the right amount of heat and depth are the best combo that make this dish become a lot of people’s favourite. More than spicy, the sambal gepuk is rich with flavours and keeps you coming back for another bite. For only RM7, diners get a meal that fills both stomach and soul. Many buyers who had tried it praised the dish for its generous portion and affordable pricing. 

Your Next Comfort Meal Awaits 

As you wander along the riverside, the aroma of fried chicken and freshly ground sambal might guide your senses straight to this specific stall, Nasi Ayam Gepuk Jogja. Not only that, they also offer a RM1 discount at Brew & Blossom Coffee, a neighbouring booth for every purchase of nasi ayam gepuk at the festival. This is the perfect way to cool down after a spicy meal. 

They also have branches at Mahallah Asma Cafe and Rawang’s RBE Cabin Food Court where they serve many options of food compared to what they sold during the food festival. So if you are seeking more than just a meal, maybe something with heart, history and heat, make your way to Nasi Ayam Gepuk Jogja. This is because sometimes, the best taste is the one that feels like home.***