Nasi Lemak
While there are many foods that have power to arouse happiness, Malaysian nasi lemak takes satisfaction to the next level.
For local Malaysians that leave their home country, nasi lemak is THE MEAL they crave, the comfort food they long for most.
And once you’ve had it, it’s entirely understandable.
Antarabangsa Nasi Lemak
In Kuala Lumpur, one of my main objectives was to explore nasi lemak – to dig in a little deeper and get a flavor for one of Malaysia’s most beloved foods.
What is Nasi Lemak?
Nasi lemak literally translates to “fatty rice.”
The rice is initially soaked in coconut milk and pandan leaves before being steamed to give each grain a fragrant light coconut creaminess.
Nasi lemak is traditionally served in small cone shaped banana leaf packages filled with rice and a variety of spicy toppings, but you can also find nasi lemak set up similar to a nasi campur style feast.
Each bite is a celebration!
Antarabangsa Nasi Lemak
While exploring Kampung Baru, a local Malay area of Kuala Lumpur located near the center of town, I stumbled into Antarabangsa Nasi Lemak.
At the time, I didn’t know it was so famous, but the tables were full, and as I ate there was a continual stream of takeaway customers.
By the time I arrived, at about 11 am or so, there was evidence that a few of the dishes had already run out.
All was good though, they still had my favorite nasi lemak supplement, sambal sotong, squid cooked in chili sauce.
A fried egg, a few spoons of crunchy ikan bilis (fried anchovies), a scoop of chili sauce and a few slices of cucumber to garnish and I was ready to dine.
Crispy anchovies mingled with rice and chili sauce
Just like loco moco, the sloppier and saucier things get with nasi lemak, the better!
The squid was a little sweet, reminded me of Korean nakji bokkeum, and had amazing flavor. But the real hit was the simple fried egg smothered in sambal chili sauce with the coconut fragrant rice.
Price: 6 MYR ($1.96)
Open: Many say 6 pm – 5 am daily… but I went at 11 am and it was open.. so not entirely sure?
Address: 7C Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur
RA Nasi Lemak in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RA Nasi Lemak
The next day I wanted more nasi lemak.
After digging through a number of Kuala Lumpur food blogs, I decided to try a famous stall near Dang Wangi LRT station known as RA Nasi Lemak.
Yet again served from a home and shaded by pop-up umbrellas, RA Nasi Lemak seemed to attract a diverse demographic of hungry locals – businessmen, construction workers, BMW drivers, bicycle riders, hair salon stylists, and a random foreigner (myself) pursuing nasi lemak.
The legendary wooden barrel of fragrant nasi lemak rice
As soon as I got in line, the lady opened the wooden barrel of rice which unleashed a puff of steam that literally made me drool.
Though busy, the homely restaurant had a comforting motherly atmosphere to it, kind of like the local Zanzibari mix restaurant in Dar Es Salaam.
Attractive nasi lemak self service buffet
Unlike Antarabangsa Nasi Lemak where you point to the topping and they serve you, to my delight RA Nasi Lemak was self service.
Ready to dig in!
Yet another challenging Malaysian food choice… but a great challenge. I was hoping to see some stink beans in the mix, but they weren’t available.
I can state with 100% certainty that nothing served at RA will be even close to a bad choice.
Is there anything better than a plate of nasi lemak?
A pile of steamed coconut infused rice, more sambal sotong (squid in chili sauce), stir fried morning glory, ikan bilis, cucumbers, and a generous anointing of chili sauce was the outcome.
For the main course I chose a succulent piece of chicken rendang (chicken stewed in coconut cream and spices).
Sensational chili sambal sauce
The nasi lemak was honestly unbelievable.
Each spoonful was among the most precious bites I’ve ever chewed in my life.
Price: 7 MYR ($2.30)
Open: 6:30 am – 10 pm daily
Address: 15 Jalan Raja Abdullah 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Your plate will be empty before you know it
If I had to choose one nasi lemak restaurant over the other I’d probably go with RA Nasi Lemak due to the self service and the amazing sambal chili sauce. But both restaurants were stunning.
One thing is certain – at either Nasi Lemak restaurant, the dish washer will love you because you’re going to lick your plate completely clean.
Do you love Nasi Lemak?
Here’s a map so you can find both of the restaurants.
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that second plate looks absolutely fantastic. i would have cleaned the plate off in 5 minutes! with my tongue, too! haha. you seriously made me want to head back to KL the soonest I can.
paul | walkflypinoy recently posted..Why Travel Tuesday: Hanoi Bun Cha
Hahaha, you and me both! I nearly had a second plate right in a row, but then decided to eat more at a different place… it’s just so good!
You’ve convinced me Mark. Nasi lemak looks and sounds absolutely delicious. Will most likely be in Malaysia next year so I will definitely dig in!
Dean recently posted..Photos from a Safari in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Great Dean! Definitely get some Nasi Lemak when you’re there!
Im from malaysia and why not try nasi kerabu or nasi dagang in Kelantan? Guess i already fall in love with your blog, sooo mmaannyy delicious-mouth watering foods~!!
Thank you Fairuz! I know, I want to travel more and more in Malaysia, there’s so much food to discover. I hope to visit Kelantan one day! Is that where you’re from?
Yup, and kelantan also have other delicacies such as akok, jala mas & bunga tanjung (made of duck’s egg) and so much more~! keep on travelling and eating Mark~!
Thank you Fairuz!
Looks too good!
Thank you Nicola!
“LEMAK” in malay has several meanings, one of it is “creamy” or “rich”. I think to put it as Creamy Rice would make more sense
and i love to have a serving of sunny side up egg along with my nasi lemak, the taste and texture of the runny egg yolk in every mouthful of nasi and sambal is just sinfully amazing!
I fully agree Sheon. I had an egg the first time and then the second place must have been all out of eggs. But it sure is amazing with a runny egg!
Cool, thank you for sharing Sheon!
Nasi Lemak at some part of SG is damn expensive, or maybe I didn’t search for a cheaper place but the taste was worth it but still expensive hehe. Will definitely try Nasi Lemak when I go to Malaysia!
Ada | Adaphobic Travels recently posted..List of bus and vans from Puerto Princesa to El Nido & vice versa
Hey Ada, too bad it’s so expensive in Singapore, you’ll have to eat lots of it when you go to Malaysia!
Ahhh, I miss the crispy, salty, teeny tiny fried fishies!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..India: Travel Costs & Highlights
Yes, they are so good, aren’t they?!
Yes, you are right. Being away from Malaysia for an extended period of time, one of the food that I missed the most was Nasi Lemak. I used to be a regular at Antarabangsa when I lived in KL, but now my favourite is actually in Sarawak. If you make it here, I’ll bring you there.
Noel recently posted..Spirited away
Awesome, thank you so much Noel! I would love to try the nasi lemak in Sarawak, and that’s a place I’d really love to visit as well!
mark: the thought of those plates of nasi lemak getting into my mouth. The delicate sweetness saltiness of the sambal gravy playing in my mouth like little kids do. The aroma of friend chicken and eggs that cause chaos and confusing to my other senses. Especially to the eyes….its just to much….
sully86 recently posted..The parking spot is just for one dude!!
Haha, thanks for sharing your take on nasi lemak Sully, and nicely described. It’s such a good dish, it’s nearly impossible to fully put it into words!
Aha! Nasi Lemak is very similar with what we have in Indonesia, called Nasi Uduk. If I really want to taste a dish that reminds me of home, I guess Nasi Lemak will do.
Bama recently posted..All Traditional at Prembaen Market
Ah, cool, thanks Bama! I’ll have to try some Nasi Uduk in Indonesia when I’m there next time!
I DO love nasi lemak yes. I do.. I do.. ! haha
ciki recently posted..Simply Mel’s & S’mores @ Bangsar South
It’s easily one of the best foods in the entire world!