Cheap, tasty, filling and available just about everywhere, nasi lemak is a dish that few Malaysians can find the heart to hate.
How can something so simple be so exquisite? Coconut milk rice, groundnuts, cucumber slices, a full-boiled egg, fried anchovies, sambal and behold, the perfect nasi lemak!
Unsurprisingly, throughout Malaysia, many stalls and restaurants lay claim to the title of having the best nasi lemak. But who truly wears the crown?
FoodPanda recently organised a tasting session at its Bangsar South office to find out the truth, pitting five delicious servings of nasi lemak against each other.
Each of these nasi lemak servings came from well-established names in and around the Klang Valley, some of which you may have heard before.
Here are the five vendors whose nasi lemak were put to the test as well as FMT’s verdict on them. Have you tried any of these before?
1. Nasi Ayam Mafia
Boy, talk about packing a kick! Then again, given the vendor’s name, one should have expected a hitjob on one’s sensory organs.
Nasi Ayam Mafia is a famous chicken restaurant located in Sepang and they are particularly known for their spicy take on nasi lemak. And true enough, the sambal accompanying the rice has a searing heat that will leave your tongue numb.
If you’re willing to steel yourself, add on their famous sambal belacan to turn up the heat even more – truly a test for even masochistic Malaysians.
In addition to the spice levels, some love has to go for its crispy and juicy fried chicken, the perfect complement to a fiery meal.
FMT’s verdict: Power Gila/10
2. Nasi Lemak Saleha
Now this is a familiar name to those living in the Klang Valley, largely due to the media attention this stall received from local and international media.
Aside from delicious fare, Nasi Lemak Saleha is also famed for its rags-to-riches story, with its initial incarnation being a simple roadside stall.
Fast forward to 2022 and its owners, Mat Isa Abdul Rahman and Saleha Abdullah, now have two restaurants and a factory to their name.
They are especially famous for their sambal and indeed, this Kampung Pandan stall does not disappoint. Rather interestingly, their famous sambal has a high degree of sweetness to it, resembling the cuisine of East Coast Malaysia.
FMT’s verdict: Best Nyaa/10
3. Nasi Lemak Kukus SS19
For the many university students residing in Subang Jaya, this stall is likely to ring a bell as it is indeed popular with that demographic.
Nasi lemak is often associated with comfort food, and this humble offering checks all the necessary boxes. What makes this particular nasi lemak stand out is its extraordinarily fragrant rice, which gives off an incredible scent when served fresh.
More than just smelling the part, it also tastes the part and you don’t even need the sambal to enjoy it for what it is!
That said, don’t deny yourself the chance to try one of the many tasty side dishes, including squid sambal, chicken rendang and spiced fried chicken!
FMT’s verdict: Sumpah Sedap/10
4. Amira Café
Sometimes simplicity is preferred over complexity, and that is indeed the case with Amira Café’s nasi lemak.
This café in Bukit Kerinchi has been around since the 80’s and has come to be known in the area as the go-to nasi lemak hub. It is not hard to see why as it seems to excel in all aspects of what makes a nasi lemak good.
The rice has a good fragrance to it and the sambal has a balanced level of spiciness and sweetness. Amira Café’s nasi lemak may appear rather ordinary but a no-frills dish can still definitely satiate one’s appetite.
FMT’s verdict: Terbaik!/10
5. Pak Li Kopitiam
Last but not least on this list is an eatery that’s been around for over 30 years and is still serving customers hot plates of nasi lemak.
This kopitiam is a mainstay in Klang, famous for its good prices and equally good food, and the same can be said for its nasi lemak, specifically its Nasi Lemak with Spice Fried Chicken which tends to sell out fast.
It’s easy to see why on the first bite. With a crispy outer layer laden with spice, you get to feel the meaty juices flowing down your tongue with a spicy hint to it. The fried chicken is best paired with the sambal, a thick and savoury paste that has quite the unique flavour.
FMT’s verdict: Betul Betul Onz/10