Sekinchan Ikan Bakar

Was driving around Danga Bay area sourcing for new food joints when I came across this Malay restaurant, sandwiched between Tunes Hotel and the Volkswagen car showroom. It is out of sight and outshine by the row of beautifully renovated cafes fronting the main road along Danga Bay. Hidden in a corner, what caught me was the dinner crowd at this remote location. I told myself there must be something worth my digestion inside, otherwise there wouldn't be such a pack in this god-forsaken place.

After doing some homework online, I found out that this is actually a chain restaurant, specialising in Malay style ikan bakar (grilled seafood) that started out in Selangor and has extended its reach to KL, Melaka and recently Johor Bahru.

One of the best nasi lemak and sambal that I have ever tried. Thick and rich, every grain of the rice is wrapped with the aroma of coconut milk, and of course the sambal ... which I have to say is the highlight ! Loads and loads of ikan bilis sambal, mildly sweet yet with a forgiving level of spicyness to it. You can even try the sambal on its own, minus the nasi lemak and will taste just as wonderful. Rating: 8.0/10


Sotong bakar (grilled squid) topped with chilli paste that contains a pinch of sweetness to it. Give the lime a squeeze, drizzle it on top and what you get is a multilayered flavour on the dish, which will trigger the glutton in you. Everything suddenly just taste so appealing. Rating: 7.5/10

A must-order whenever you want to try ikan bakar, the Pari (sting-ray). The meat is tender and succulent even after going over all that scorching heat and grilling. Besides the freshness of the seafood (or in this case fish), the next most important ingredient has to be the chilli paste. I thought this was different from the one we had on the squid. This was spicier but still within acceptable limits, minus the tangy flavour. Rating: 6.5/10

Price: 6.0/10
Service: 6.0/10
Conclusion: Service is lacklustre and price could be more competitive. Just take note the seafood are all charged according to weight, so it might be wise to check out the prices first before ordering. In general, the seafood bakar is worth a try and even if not for it, the nasi lemak would be a worthy candidate as well.

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01, Block 4 Danga Bay,

Jalan Skudai 80200

Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Tel: (+607) 234 2571