A friend asked for my top recommendations of Nasi Lemak places in Klang Valley. My only appropriate & certainly reasonable response is to create this list; a list that highlights Nasi Lemak in its wide spectrum of offerings, from the definitive rendition of banana-leaf wrapped pyramidal coconut rice topped with a dollop of sambal & 3 sticks of anchovies (if you are lucky enough to get 3!), to the extravagant no holds barred variants.
I take crafting this list a highly personal & intimate undertaking, its no light matter.
Take note:
- The arrangement of the Nasi Lemak purveyors in the list does not translate to their rank. Its near impossible to rank them in a scale that fits all.
- These Nasi Lemak places have their own uniqueness that should be appreciated on its own. I will make note of the special characteristics that allowed them to land on this special, personal list of mine.
- I could only attest those I have tasted. This means there are plenty more good options out there and I take pleasure in knowing there’s so many more to be explored.
- This list is a work in progress. Last updated 9th February 2023. More are to be added.
- Initial version of the list highlights hidden gems scattered across Klang Valley. You have already known the popular ones, why dont give this list a try?
Now lets go to the list.
The Off-the-beaten-path list (less publicised, popular among locals):
- Nasi Lemak Pak Majid, Kg Penchala Kuala Lumpur – RM1.50 irresistible Nasi Lemak (Breakfast)
- Nasi Lemak Bungkus Siti, Pasar Malam Kayu Ara Damansara – Thick sambal, quality anchovies, neat banana-wrap (Pasar Malam)
- Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang, Seputeh Kuala Lumpur – Hot fried chicken, gizzards & lungs (Afternoon/Dinner)
- Nasi Lemak Famous, Bangsar Village Kuala Lumpur – Hot fried chicken, cockles, rendang, sotong late night cravings (Dinner/Supper)
- Gmie Dkota Nasi Lemak, Kota Damansara – Nasi lemak banana leaf (Breakfast)
- Nasi Lemak Rosli, TTDI Kuala Lumpur – Spicy cockles, rendang daging (Breakfast)
- Nasi Lemak Bungkus Kedah (Pasar Malam TTDI/SS2/Taman Connaught/Shah Alam S19) – Yellow fragrant rice with quality toppings such as salted fish, prawn sambal, cockle sambal, river prawn
- Nasi Lemak Kak Chuk, Kampung Baru Kuala Lumpur – Nasi lemak kangkung, sotong (Breakfast)
Nasi Lemak Pak Majid, Kg Penchala Kuala Lumpur (at the fringe of Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI))
Price range: RM1.50 to RM2.50 (special order)
Hours: Breakfast – 6:30am to ~9:00am. Weekday mornings. Do not come later than 9:00am.
Address: 60000, 2976-2978, Jalan Penchala Indah, Sungai Penchala, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (Google Map link)
Known for: Thick, salty sambal. Cheap nasi lemak. 15-20mins wait time as Pak Majid packs each one himself.
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If you deconstruct a nasi lemak, you’ll find three main components, which are the coconut-infused rice, the sambal and the proteins (anchovies, eggs).
This stall excels in turning these simple components into one outstanding package at one irresistable price of just RM1.50.
I have been frequenting the shop almost every other day, getting 5-8 packs nasi lemak to be shared among my colleagues, because why not? Its just RM1.50 each.
Do come before 930am, otherwise its all gone and gonna make your day less satisfying. Honestly it does feel a little less fun if it runs out.
Do also try the Bihun, also priced at RM1.50 and no less surprising than the nasi lemak.
Always opt for the telur puyuh (quail egg). 4 eggs for RM1. Or get the ayam kicap as extra.
I am actually hesitant to write this review for not wanting to see longer queue in the morning. After deliberating, Pak Majid you deserve to be known.
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Nasi Lemak Bungkus Siti, Pasar Malam Kayu Ara (Next to Glomac Centro)
Price range: RM2.00 to RM2.50
Hours: Pasar Malam – Opens during Kayu Ara Night Markets on Mondays & Thursdays, 5:30PM to 7:30PM
Address: Pasar Malam Kayu Ara, Lorong Masjid 1, Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor (Google Map link)
Known for: Thick spicy sambal, quality anchovies, neat banana-wrap. Available for large orders, call Puan Siti +6012 902 5678 (mention my name).
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This nasi lemak wrapped in banana-leaf is amazing. This Nasi Lemak is an act of love.
It is sharp and pointy and a handful delectable. The only thing that separates this to a lady’s mammary bits is it being spicy to the taste. Having only one is sacrilegious, you will have to get a pair.
The love and the care poured into the making of this Nasi Lemak is apparent; The Nasi Lemak is neatly wrapped, the rice itself is fluffy and light, the Sambal is lined with a small square banana leaf to keep it from soaking the rice yet bits of the oil did seep (not in a bad way at all). The sambal is thick, hints that plenty of onions were sacrificed and cooked for a long time. The anchovy is perfectly matched, they are crunchy and I would love to think that the seller was mindful on the variant of anchovies used.
I discovered this Nasi Lemak by accident when strolling along the Kayu Ara Night Market after a heavy dose of minang satay nearby. Bought two packets. I kid you not that I came back for the umpteenth time every Mondays for repeats.
The Nasi Lemak was so good that I made a custom order for 50 packets, this time with a half of boiled eggs each. I was so eager to get my friends experience what I consider the definitive rendition of Nasi Lemak in banana leaf.
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Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang, Seputeh Kuala Lumpur
Price range: RM5.00 to RM12.00
Hours: Opens everyday, from 3:00pm to 11:00pm. Often by 10:00pm already runs out.
Address: 24A, Lorong Syed Putra Kiri, Bukit Seputeh, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (Google Map link)
Known for: Piping hot fried chicken with gizzards & lungs
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I have been frequenting this place for well over a decade now. To think of it, 16 years to be exact.
Tucked away in a corner of Seputeh (near MCOBA Building), the cheapest form of the offering comes at RM5.00, a plain nasi lemak with kangkung (water spinach), scrambled eggs and a rather spicy sambal. Best know of its piping hot deep fried chicken, you can also have an assortment of accompaniments such as chicken gizzards, lungs (if you are into internals), fried fish, cockles, and quail eggs.
On my last visit (January 2023), I was charged RM8.50 for nasi lemak with fried chicken thigh and gizzards. I must say its pretty reasonable?
If you are conscious on cleanliness, give this a pass as sometimes the place is not really in the best of shape. For old timers like me, the character is par-the-course. There is charm in rustic old eateries like this.
Also, expect to see some well-heeled patrons next to you; this is a rather legendary location among nasi lemak connoisseurs.
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Nasi Lemak Famous, next to Bangsar Village, Kuala Lumpur
Price range: RM8 to RM15
Hours: Opens everyday, from 5:00PM to 2:00AM.
Address: Food Truck located on, Jln Telawi 4, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (Google Map link)
Known for: Late night open air eatery, popular among club-goers. Hot fried chicken, cockles, rendang, spicy sambal
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