A full English breakfast is all well and good, but sometimes we can’t deny that our Malaysian tongue craves local food instead. Malaysia has no shortage of delicious breakfast food, from toasted bread like roti canai and thosai to heavier meals like everyone’s favourite rice-based dish, nasi lemak. The national dish of Malaysia, it’s no wonder that Malaysians guard their nasi lemak protectively. What’s not to love about fragrant coconut rice infused with pandan leaves and served with spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, and hard-boiled eggs? Chef’s kiss.
Nasi lemak is available almost everywhere in the country, but to narrow down your search, here are some of our top spots for the best nasi lemak in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya to start your day off right. We have also included some hidden gems in our list that may be new to you, along with familiar haunts.
The Best Nasi Lemak in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya
1. Nasi Lemak Tanglin
Selling the same nasi lemak with a recipe from 1948 passed down from mother to son, Nasi Lemak Tanglin is as authentic as they come. Don’t believe us? Take a trip to one of their many stalls across Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya and see for yourself. The long queues in front of Nasi Lemak Tanglin are no joke, especially in the morning. Head there bright and early to beat the crowd—their nasi lemak is more than worth it.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | Click here to view all locations |
| Opening hours | Click here to view all opening hours |
| Contact details | +60192832233 |
2. Nasi Lemak Saleha
Another stall selling nasi lemak with a decades-long recipe, Nasi Lemak Saleha was founded by Kak Saleha over 30 years ago at Kampung Pandan in Ampang. Her establishment became so popular that she now has a second outlet in Sri Rampai. When visiting Nasi Lemak Saleha, be sure to get their flavourful rendang chicken to go with their legendary warm and tasty nasi lemak.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | Click here to view all locations |
| Opening hours | Click here to view all opening hours |
| Contact details | +60177470100 |
3. Akka Nasi Lemak
TikTok users may have heard of this famous nasi lemak spot in Seri Kembangan as it went viral on the platform in mid-2023. Initially a humble open-air stall on the side of the road, Akka Nasi Lemak by Sangeetha Manimalar is now located at a much cosier kiosk not far from where she first went viral. It’s not hard to guess how her nasi lemak became TikTok famous as there are so many mouthwatering side dish options, including masak merah chicken, sambal prawns, and stir-fried sambal petai anchovies served over pandan rice.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | Kiosk No, 17 & 18, Jalan PUJ 3/10, Puncak Jalil, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor |
| Opening hours | Opens daily (8:00am – 3:00pm) |
| Contact details | +6010 241 1832 |
4. Village Park Restaurant
Speaking of popular places to get nasi lemak, Village Park Restaurant definitely falls under the same category as well. Well-loved by tourists and locals alike, the nasi lemak at this restaurant located in Damansara Utama is known for its coconut rice cooked in the Terengganu style and served with spicy sambal and fried chicken with just the right amount of crisp. You can even order their nasi lemak on GrabFood for added convenience.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | 5, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening hours | Opens daily (7:00am – 5:30pm) |
| Contact details | +60122738438 |
5. Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kampung Baru
What better place to find quality nasi lemak than at Kampung Baru, in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur? Nasi Lemak Wanjo is a prime example, having been established in 1963 and since expanded from a tiny hawker stall to a full-fledged restaurant. Today, Nasi Lemak Wanjo is still one of the most popular spots in Kampung Baru that serves up traditional nasi lemak that’s unrivalled. Of course, the added touch of having a village-like ambiance doesn’t hurt as well.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening hours | Opens daily (6:00am – 12:00am) |
| Contact details | +601163361963 |
6. Nasi Lemak Bumbung
It’s a fact of life that we can never predict our taste buds. Sometimes, we feel like having breakfast food like nasi lemak at night instead of in the mornings. During those times, we thank God for restaurants like Nasi Lemak Bumbung that operates until midnight. Nestled within a whole alleyway in Seapark, Nasi Lemak Bumbung is famous for their fried chicken cooked with Indian spices that elevates a regular plate of coconut rice.
| Address | 6, Jalan 21/11b, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening hours | Opens daily (4:00pm – 12:00am) |
| Contact details | +6011 2311 3576 |
7. Big Tree Head Mamak
Big Tree Head Mamak is such a hidden gem in Kepong that the business doesn’t have any social media or contact number—a major sign that the nasi lemak is stellar. Despite their lack of online presence, plenty of Kepong residents will vouch for the mamak stall, crowning them as one of the best nasi lemak places in Kuala Lumpur. Open until 3 in the morning, the star of the show at Big Tree Head Mamak is their signature fried chicken, which is so crispy and juicy.
| Address | Persiaran Mergastua, Kepong Baru, 52100 Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening hours | Opens daily (3:30pm – 3:00am) |
| Contact details | N/A |
8. Nasi Lemak Goreng Chef Fauzey
If you’re the adventurous type, head over to Nasi Lemak Goreng Chef Fauzey in PJ to try their, you guessed it, fried nasi lemak. Adding a unique touch, the nasi lemak at this hawker stall is initially steamed with coconut milk and subsequently wok-fried to perfection before being served with sambal, fried prawns, and fried chicken. Even though it’s far from traditional, Chef Fauzey’s fried nasi lemak is a definite must-try.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | Jalan Sentosa 3/57, PJ Old Town, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening hours | Monday to Saturday (6:00pm – 10:00pm) Closed on Sunday |
| Contact details | +6019 376 5886 |
9. Nasi Lemak Peel Road
Serving up authentic Chinese-style nasi lemak, Nasi Lemak Peel Road in KL is the go-to for those looking for milder sambal. A non-halal spot that has been operating for over 40 years, Nasi Lemak Peel Road’s major draw is their savoury wild boar curry. You read that right, Peel Road’s customers rave about adding wild boar curry to their plate of nasi lemak, so if you’re into the exotic, try this on for size.
| Address | 92, Jalan Peel, Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening hours | Friday to Wednesday (11:00am – 8:00pm) Closed on Thursday |
| Contact details | +6012 698 5122 |
10. Nasi Lemak Cik Sal Pak Kasim Lindungan
Another hot spot to taste the best nasi lemak in Petaling Jaya is Nasi Lemak Cik Sal Pak Kasim Lindungan or Nasi Lemak Cik Sal for short. Operating in the early mornings, Nasi Lemak Cik Sal offers a wide variety of side dishes to pair with their nasi lemak, including sambal sotong, rendang kerang, ayam sambal, and the ever-reliable fried chicken. Trust us, you wouldn’t know where to start when eating at Cik Sal in PJ.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | 9, Jalan PJS 6/2, Kampung Lindungan, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening hours | Opens daily (6:30am – 11:00am) |
| Contact details | +6012 649 6221 |
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