For the Love of Curry, Follow Ruvenes to Its New Ipoh Spot

By Anne Das

I have a confession. For two years, I was quite happy keeping Ruvenes Indian Stall to myself. Fewer people in the queue meant a better chance of finding my favourite dishes still on the counter.

At its old Ipoh Garden spot, Ruvenes was a lunchtime favourite with doctors and nurses from Hospital Fatimah and people working nearby. Get there after 2pm, and you might find little left to choose from.

Then a bright yellow DIY store took over the shop-lot, and the family-run stall had to move. Three months later, some regulars still do not know where Ruvenes went.

It is now a short distance away at Stall 3, Restoran Kam Wan Aneka Selera, opposite Wholleys Food Court. The owner tells me business has slowed since the move. So I’m changing my policy: tell everyone.

Ruvenes serves the sort of South Indian home cooking that makes you consider going back the next day. The owner and her daughters shop for fresh ingredients each morning, then prep and cook live at the stall.

Arrive early and you can watch lunch coming together. By 11.30am, the dishes are ready.

There is plenty to choose from. They prepare up to 15 dishes a day, with changing specials every other day depending on what they find at the market. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are displayed separately in the familiar Indian economy rice style.

For vegetarians, the selection is a treat in its own right. The vegetables keep their colour and a welcome bit of crunch. I look out for the keera curry, a spinach dish with a rich, earthy flavour and a little spice. You could put together a satisfying lunch from the vegetable dishes alone.

But the chicken sambal is difficult to ignore. It is spicy, with a proper kick. The chicken kicap brings a different pleasure, with that familiar home-cooked flavour that reminds you of your grandmother’s kitchen.

There is also chicken curry, chicken varuval, mutton and fried chicken, plus two or three fish dishes. Depending on the day, the fish may come in curry, kicap or varuval. Check what’s coming out of the kitchen before making your choice.

Most customers take their food away, though you can sit down to a banana leaf meal with rice, vegetables and whatever else catches your eye. White rice or biryani may be available, depending on the day.

The drinks stall next door can sort out your kopi ais or whatever you fancy to go with lunch.

Portions are generous, and lunch generally costs around RM15 to RM20 per person, according to what you order.

If you have been wondering where Ruvenes Stall went, now you know. If you have never tried their food, consider this your invitation to some good home cooking.

Share the new address and bring someone for lunch. I would rather queue for my chicken sambal than see another good Ipoh food stall disappear.

Where to find Ruvenes Indian Food Stall

📍 Stall 3, Restoran Kam Wan Aneka Selera, Lengkok Canning, Taman Canning, Ipoh
🕚 Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
🚗 Ample paid open-air parking.
📱 For enquiries or orders, WhatsApp 010-253 5049.