Camping-themed Bar KL

Camping-themed Bar & Restaurant – Rimbar KL

Camping-themed Bar & Restaurant – Rimbar Chinatown KL

Words: Joanna Florento
Photos: Han Sen Hau

If you’re seeking respite from the busy grind of city life, look no further than the cool recesses of Rimbar KL, a beloved camping-themed bar in Chinatown that recently debuted its new menu.

Entrance to Rimbar KL Through Cafe etc
Entrance to Rimbar KL Through Cafe etc

Mun, the owner and mastermind behind Attic Bar (another stronghold of Chinatown nightlife), says that Rimbar takes its cue from glamping – both juxtapose the comforts of the city with a touch of wilderness and take you on an exotic adventure within reach of urban utilities. It was designed with raw materials and a rustic aesthetic in mind and made spacious enough to host events. It’s easy to imagine a medley of city-dwellers and far-flung travellers convening beneath its high ceilings, where plenty of natural light streams in. They relax at the bar, dotted with vines, small plants, and a banana tree, sharing stories at wooden tables that contrast cleanly with the long bar etched from cool stone.

Camping-themed Bar KL
Camping-themed Bar KL
Camping-themed Bar KL
Alfresco Seating Near the Open Kitchen

The menu showcases the culinary creations of Chef Frances Stephen Klassen, who honed his craft at Le Puit Saint Jacque in Pajaudran, France. The dishes at this camping-themed bar are not your typical bar fare; in fact, they are not your typical restaurant fare, either. Chef Frances expertly blurs the lines between meticulously prepared gourmet offerings and accessible sharing plates of bar-style food. The end result is a delicious melding of both worlds.

Chef Frances Stephen Klassen
Chef Frances Stephen Klassen

 Sharing Plates Menu & Prices

Without wasting time, we bit into the Seeded Sourdough (RM 24). Thick slices of fresh sourdough bread were served with delectable jeow som butter on the side. The Laotian-derived jeow som rocked our taste buds with its spicy and rich tanginess, while the sourdough was satisfyingly crunchy. It required an immense amount of restraint to eat just one slice.

Rimbar Chinatown Kuala Lumpur Seeded Sourdough
Seeded Sourdough

We then sampled the Cured Sea Perch (RM 28), which quickly became my favourite. The perch was finely cured and pleasantly chewy. The picada had citrus and herbal notes that rounded out nicely with the zesty orange and lemon kosho. All flavours worked well in concert, and I had to intentionally slow down to enjoy every bite to its fullest.

Rimbar Chinatown Kuala Lumpur Cured Sea Perch
Cured Sea Perch

The delectable train of dishes continued with the Corn Kakiage (RM 21), which delivered depth and a satisfying crunchiness. The corn’s natural sweetness was balanced by umami from the nori salt and the slightly spicy sauce. Chef Frances’ culinary prowess is on full display, with his French master saucier training seamlessly flowing into his knowledge of local ingredients.

Corn Kakiage
Corn Kakiage – Camping-themed Bar KL

We didn’t have to wait long before we were blown away by the Charred Cabbage (RM 24), another showstopper that combined a chunky slice of charred veg on a bed of creamy murgh makhani sauce. The cabbage was soft in texture and delightfully smoky, while the sauce had a slight heat and enabled countless rounds of dipping. We reached for extra sourdough to keep it going.

Charred Cabbage
Charred Cabbage

The Tagliatelle, Prawn & Chilli Emulsion (RM 36) was simply plated but complex in taste. The entire dish was infused with a prawn and chilli emulsion that added intensity to every bite, with large chunks of roasted prawns dotted throughout. The jalapeño verde gave a herbal zest, and the grated Grana Padano cheese provided a hint of saltiness.

Camping-themed Bar KL
Tagliatelle, Prawn & Chilli Emulsion

The Grilled Sirloin Steak (RM 71) was yet another deceptively simple but deliciously intricate creation. Tender slices of Australian grass-fed sirloin steak rested on a smooth bed of blended nutritional yeast, soy butter, and cashew cream. Each bite was topped with pickled shallots, adding a layer of umami and a salty finish. This dish was filling, comforting, and buttery.

Rimbar Chinatown Grilled Sirloin Steak
Grilled Sirloin Steak

Camping-themed Bar KL Cocktail Menu

If Rimbar’s delectable food sets the stage, the cocktails bring the lights, camera, action. We thoroughly enjoyed sampling seven of their most popular cocktails. First up was the Hammock (RM 38), a yummy blend of watermelon, gin, homemade pear syrup, and citrus. This drink was refreshing and had a slight tanginess that conjured memories of outdoor picnics, complete with a watermelon slice balanced jauntily on the rim of the glass.

Camping-themed Bar KL
Hammock
Rimbar Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
Camping-themed Bar Rimba KL in Chinatown

Next, we sipped the City Bird (RM 40), a variation of the Jungle Bird—Malaysia’s classic cocktail. It tasted light and fruity, with the familiar notes of rum contrasting the citrusy accents of the pineapple and lime. The Campari lent a hint of bitterness and a splash of pink to the cocktail.

City Bird
City Bird – Camping-themed Bar KL

The Paloma (RM 45) was the picture of sophistication, served in a tall glass sprinkled with tajin, or Mexican dry chilli. The Volcan Blanco tequila had a crisp, classic profile that mixed well with the grapefruit soda and lime juice, while the tajin lining the rim made every sip adventurous. This was Mon’s favourite drink.

The Paloma
The Paloma

Another take on a classic, the Dirty Negroni (RM 45) featured Campari, sweet vermouth, olive oil-infused Bombay gin, and olive bitters. This drink tasted distinctly of olives, while the Campari added a vibrant blood orange hue and slight bitterness. Garnished with olives and orange rind, it tasted deliciously unpredictable.

Dirty Negroni
Dirty Negroni

The Aged in Smoke (RM 45) then made its smooth entrance, featuring a medley of Jameson, Lagavulin, liquid smoke, orange bitters, and sweet vermouth. Although initially quite smoky, the flavours rounded out smoothly, with the peaty Lagavulin lending a simmering aftertaste.

Aged in Smoke
Aged in Smoke – Camping-themed Bar KL

Everything came up roses with the Rosey Affair (RM 40), a sweet concoction of rose-infused vodka, basil-rose syrup, lime, and triple sec. For added drama, this drink was garnished with a small red rose trailing rose petals down the side of the glass. Every sip was tinged with a floral essence that paired nicely with the sweet basil syrup. This cocktail was also arrestingly crimson.

Rosey Affair
Rosey Affair

We raised our last glass with a Surprise Me (RM 55), a custom-made drink to your fancy. We were served a rum-based cocktail enhanced by their in-house syrup, a special combination of strained watermelon, lemon peel, mint, and sugar. Also in the mix was a hint of raspberry, elderflower, and kiwi syrup with ginger. We loved how they used the watermelon rind for a zero-waste cocktail, and the whole drink had a smoky yet refreshing taste. This iteration of the Surprise Me reminded me of the watermelon candies I enjoyed as a child, but with a punchy edge.

Camping-themed Bar KL
Surprise Me

Rimbar Review

Rimbar KL is the getaway you need to relax, recoup, and stay well-fed and well-watered for an adventurous culinary sojourn right within the heart of Chinatown. Its innovative cocktails feature unexpected ingredient pairings and vibrant colours, and its food offerings are consistently elevated by Chef Frances’ fresh takes on familiar favourites. Every item on the menu was multi-faceted and beautifully presented. Next time you’re seeking to explore meals less travelled, make sure all roads lead you to Rimbar KL.

Reasons to visit Rimba, a camping-themed bar in KL: Innovative dishes, well-balanced cocktails, a fun camping-themed interior, comfortingly nostalgic music, friendly staff, a bar where the food alone is reason enough to visit. Must order the Hammock (for a sweet tooth), the Paloma (for more mature drinkers), Corn Kakiage (for sharing), Cured Sea Perch (all for yourself), and additional sourdough to soak up the sauce from the Charred Cabbage.

Rimbar KL – Camping-themed Bar Chinatown
198, 1st Floor, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre,
50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
@rimbarkl
+6012 3938179
Link to Rimbar KL on Google Maps
Outdoor parking is available in a nearby open parking lot in front of Attic Bar (flat rate RM 11)

Rimbar KL Opening Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Sunday: 5 pm – 1 am

Find more KL bar recommendations here, and stay up-to-date on the latest gourmet and travel happenings around Malaysia via The Yum List on Instagram and The Yum List on Facebook.

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