13 Shiok Nasi Lemak in the Klang Valley

Food for champions!

Nasi lemak is the national dish of Malaysia and is an all-time favourite. Nasi lemak is basically rice cooked in coconut milk with pandan leaves to exude a fragrant aroma. It is usually accompanied by sambal, peanuts, anchovies, cucumber and egg, either hard-boiled or fried. Here are 13 ‘shiok’ nasi lemak in the Klang Valley to get you in the mood for Malaysia’s food emblem!

1. Nasi Lemak Mek Sambal Warisan, KL

Even from the name of the restaurant, you can basically sum up that their spicy sambal is a recipe passed down from generation to generation, definitely something to look out for! Their sambal is described as being spicy yet balanced with a tinge of sweetness too, no wonder they focus on the sambal in their nasi lemak! If you want to add value to your basic nasi lemak, there’s also a host of side dishes to choose from like sambal paru (cow lungs) and rendang ayam.

• Muslim-owned
• Address: G-12, Jalan Dagang Besar, Taman Dagang, 68000 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +6017-237 3391

2. Nasi Lemak Saleha, KL

Nasi Lemak Saleha has been dubbed as one of the best nasi lemak in Kuala Lumpur and for good reason too. They pride themselves on the traditional nasi lemak bungkus, pyramids of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk served with a generous dollop of sambal, anchovies, peanuts and boiled egg. Expect long queues to taste the nasi lemak which is known for its sambal that’s sweet in the beginning and gives a fiery kick at the end!

• Muslim-owned
• Address: 2, Jln Seri Rejang 4, Setapak Jaya, 53300 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +6017-747 0100

3. Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kampung Baru, KL

Since 1963, Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kampung Baru has been dishing up delicious nasi lemak to KLites. They are famous for their nasi lemak kukus where the rice is steamed in coconut milk instead of the conventional simmering method. Customers are given a variety of side dishes to choose from which include ayam masak merah (chicken in tomato-based gravy), paru goreng (fried spiced beef lungs) and many more. This nasi lemak is one to go to satisfy your craving!

• Muslim-owned
• Address: 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +6011-6336 1963

4. Ali, Muthu and Ah Hock, KL

If there is one eatery that captures the Malaysian multi-racial spirit perfectly, look no further than Ali, Muthu and Ah Hock. Although they serve many Malaysian favourites like Roti Bakar and Lontong, their speciality is their Nasi Lemak which starts from RM5 onwards. Their Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng is the star of the show. The chicken thigh is crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside. One bite will leave you hankering for more!

• Halal
• Address: 13, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +603-2022 3588

5. Village Park Restaurant, PJ

As you are driving around Damansara, chances are you have come across snaking lines and seating places filled to the brim at Village Park Restaurant. They are infamous for their nasi lemak ayam goreng berempah which sells like hot cakes! The chicken is well-flavoured and manages to retain the juiciness of its flesh despite being deep-fried. The sambal is balanced and the rice is fragrant. Besides that, they have various side dishes to pile up your plate with. You won’t be left disappointed!

• Halal
• Address: 5, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
• Contact: +6012-273 8438

6. Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa, KL

When nasi lemak is mentioned this place pops to mind. Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa is one of Kuala Lumpur’s more famous places. The rice is nice and fluffy and the sambal tends to lean on the savoury side, being salty and spicy compared to the normally sweet and spicy. As a side dish, do try the chicken rendang which is tender to the bite. Determine for yourself the power of the legendary Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa!

• Muslim-owned
• Address: 4, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +6011-5111 1991

7. Nasi Lemak Bumbung, PJ

Klang Valley residents are no strangers to this back-alley nasi lemak place. Customers can either choose to dine al fresco in the alleyway or indoors. The nasi lemak itself is so fragrant, that the smell will guide you to the stall. Many diners choose the ayam goreng berempah as it has a unique taste, it’s marinated with carom seeds, a spice commonly found in muruku. Slightly watery, the sambal is perfect to be mixed into the rice along with a bite of oozy sunny side up egg and chicken. Best enjoyed with your hands, this nasi lemak is finger-licking good!

• Halal
• Address: 6, Jalan 21/11b, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
• Contact: +6011-2311 3576

8. Nasi Lemak Tanglin, KL

Nasi Lemak Tanglin in KL is so famous that you may even spot politicians and famous personalities queuing up to take-away or dine in. For spicy kings and queens, the sambal here will hit all the right notes as it borders on the spicy side. The side dish to grab is the sambal sotong, spicy and not for the faint-hearted. Have a taste of Nasi Lemak Tanglin to add some spice to your life!

• Muslim-owned
• Address: Kompleks Makan Tanglin, Gerai No.6, Jalan Cenderasari, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +6019-397 2781

9. NALE – The Nasi Lemak Co., Shah Alam

Looking to enjoy nasi lemak with a more ‘atas’ dining experience? Then NALE is the place for you! NALE aims to make itself the face of nasi lemak globally and it’s easily understandable why. They have 5 types of sambal to go with your nasi lemak, 5 TYPES!!!! These are Sambal Hijau NALE, Sambal Merah NALE, Sambal Nenas, Sambal Superhot and Sambal Klasik.Their signature nasi lemak is Nasi Lemak Ayam Bakar, flame-grilled ¼ chicken with their special NALE sauce served with fragrant, fluffy nasi lemak.

• Halal
• Address: LG34-B, Central i-City, No.1, Persiaran Multimedia i-City, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor.
• Contact: +6010-206 3010

10. Ann Nasi Lemak @ ICC Pudu, KL

ICC Pudu is one of those breakfast places that will keep dragging you back time and again. One particular stall will pull you in and that’s Ann Nasi Lemak. The highlight of this nasi lemak is the pork skin curry. Yup, and you will be surprised at how good curry and nasi lemak taste! Slightly spicy and aromatic with curry spices, the curry mixed in with the rice and a little sambal has so many flavour dimensions, elevating the humble nasi lemak! Add this stall to your nasi lemak to-eat list!

• Non-halal
• Address: Jalan Kijang, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +603-2111 1111

11. Chinese Nasi Lemak @ Sentul, KL

Another good place for Chinese-style nasi lemak is this stall in Sentul. Seating is limited so you may need to take away to enjoy their delicious fare. Rice portions are small but the generous helpings of side dishes adequately make up for it. Their go-to side dish is their pork ribs curry (yes, curry + nasi lemak combo repeated, haha!). Savoury side dishes and affordable pricing keeps you going back for more!

• Non-halal
• Address: 1062-1064, Jalan Sentul, Taman Kosmo Jaya, 51100 Kuala Lumpur.
• Contact: +016-900 1228

12. Nasi Lemak Panas, PJ

PJ nasi lemak fans rejoice! Head to Nasi Lemak Panas where you can still feast on the traditional nasi lemak bungkus. Finding it too basic? Pile on that plate with yummy side dishes, with their famous being the sambal sotong. Most of the time their dishes are sold out, so head there as fast as possible to indulge in a complete nasi lemak experience!

• Muslim-owned
• Address: Selera Jaya 223, No.2, Jalan 51a/223, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
• Contact: +6012-385 4541

13. Warung Bunian, Kajang

Venture a little further away at the end of your nasi lemak journey to Kajang and you will unearth this not-so-hidden gem. Don’t get shocked by the unconventional name of bunian for this shop (bunian means elves or “invisible people”). Try their nasi lemak telur bungkus. A large seasoned omelette encases fragrant nasi lemak with all its fixings. With eggy goodness in every bite, the nasi lemak will leave you floating on cloud nine.

• Muslim-owned
• Address: Jalan Jamaludin, Kampung Sungai Merab, 43000 Kajang, Selangor.
• Contact: +6017-381 2246

Written By Kartini Kannan