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
Contents
- The Best Nasi Lemak in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya
- 1. Nasi Lemak Tanglin
- 2. Nasi Lemak Saleha
- 3. Akka Nasi Lemak
- 4. Village Park Restaurant
- 5. Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kampung Baru
- 6. Nasi Lemak Bumbung
- 7. Big Tree Head Mamak
- 8. Nasi Lemak Goreng Chef Fauzey
- 9. Nasi Lemak Peel Road
- 10. Nasi Lemak Cik Sal Pak Kasim Lindungan
- 11. Restoran Botak Nasi Lemak
- 12. NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company
- 13. Nasi Lemak Angah
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 nostalgic trip to one of their many stalls across Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, and see for yourself. Plus, with a variety of dishes available, like fried chicken, sambal sotong, and many more, you will be spoilt for choice. Sure, the sambal may be a tad spicy for some, but we personally love our nasi lemak with a kick. Oh, and those 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 | +6019 283 2233 |
Final Verdict
4.5
Insider Ratings
PROS:
- A wide range of nasi lemak 'lauk' to choose from
- Authentic nasi lemak recipe
- Many branches available
Cons:
- The long queues can be time-consuming
2. Nasi Lemak Saleha
Another stall selling nasi lemak with a decades-long recipe on our list of the best nasi lemak in KL and PJ is Nasi Lemak Saleha. It 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, so we bet you have tried it before. When visiting Nasi Lemak Saleha, be sure to get their flavourful rendang chicken to go with their legendary, warm, and tasty fragrant nasi lemak. Plus, with the tangy and rich-in-flavour sambal, it complements the dish perfectly, so each spoonful is truly satisfying.
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 | +6017 747 0100 |
Final Verdict
4.5
Insider Ratings
PROS:
- Fragrant nasi lemak
- Spicy yet tangy sambal
- Comfortable dining area
Cons:
- The nasi lemak options are somewhat limited compared to other stalls on the list
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 why 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. Akka is also friendly, despite handling the morning crowd as customers rush to get to work. No wonder it is among the best nasi lemak in KL and PJ.
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 |
Final Verdict
4
Insider Ratings
PROS:
- Many side dish choices
- Easy to access
- Friendly service
Cons:
- There’s no dining area, as it is a kiosk
4. Village Park Restaurant
Speaking of popular places to get nasi lemak, Village Park Restaurant definitely falls under the same category. 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. It is served with spicy sambal and fried chicken with just the right amount of crisp and juiciness. Plus, you can even order their nasi lemak on GrabFood for added convenience. Just a little heads-up: most seats are arranged with long tables, so you may be sitting beside strangers. Not that it would prevent us from getting one of the best nasi lemak in PJ, though!
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | 5, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening Hours | Open daily: 6:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Contact Details | +6012 273 8438 |
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, serving up traditional nasi lemak that is unrivalled. We personally like its cafeteria-style, almost like an Ikea Restaurant, where customers line up to order and get their food in the airy space. Of course, the added touch of a village-like ambiance doesn’t hurt either. Oh, and it opens as early as 6 am and closes as late as 12 am on most days — hands down one of the best nasi lemak spots in PJ for breakfast or to satisfy your midnight hankering.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours | Saturdays – Thursdays: 6 am – 12 am Fridays: 2 am – 1 am |
| Contact Details | +6011 633 61963 |
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 operate 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. Our must-order dishes are undoubtedly Nasi Lemak Ayam and Maggi Goreng. You can also add on either sambal kerang, sambal petai, or rendang ayam for an elevated flavour. Definitely a great spot for the best nasi lemak in KL at night.
| 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, we’ve got to say. Despite their lack of online presence, plenty of Kepong residents will vouch for the mamak stall, crowning it 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. Plus, the service is also rather fast, so you can indulge in delish Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng in no time. Absolutely a must-visit for the best nasi lemak in KL and PJ.
| Address | Persiaran Mergastua, Kepong Baru, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours | Open daily: 3:30 pm – 3 am |
| Contact Details | – |
8. Nasi Lemak Goreng Chef Fauzey
If you are 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. The rice portion is also generous enough to keep you full. Even though it is far from traditional, Chef Fauzey’s fried nasi lemak is among the best nasi lemak in KL and PJ for those who want to try something new. There is also nasi lemak kukus if you are not a fan of nasi lemak goreng.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | Jalan Sentosa 3/57, Pj Old Town, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening Hours | Mondays – Saturdays: 6 pm – 10 pm Wednesdays: 6 pm – 10:30 pm Sundays: Closed |
| 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, tender 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 are into exotic food, we believe you might want to try this for an out-of-this-world flavour and texture. The ambience is also clean, and customers can relish their favourite dish comfortably in an air-conditioned setting. Plus, this restaurant is within walking distance from Cochrane MRT station.
| Address | 92, Jalan Peel, Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours | Fridays – Wednesdays: 11 am – 8 pm Thursdays: Closed |
| Contact Details | +6012 698 5122 |
10. Nasi Lemak Cik Sal Pak Kasim Lindungan
Being one of the best nasi lemak spots in KL and PJ, Nasi Lemak Cik Sal Pak Kasim Lindungan, or Nasi Lemak Cik Sal for short, operates in the early mornings seven days a week. Nasi Lemak Cik Sal offers customers 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 won’t know where to start when eating at this nasi lemak spot. We suggest you arrive early, as it closes at 11 am.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | 9, Jalan PJS 6/2, Kampung Lindungan, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Opening Hours | Open daily: 6:30am – 11:00am |
| Contact Details | +6012 649 6221 |
11. Restoran Botak Nasi Lemak
We can’t talk about nasi lemak without recommending Restoran Botak Nasi Lemak, as it is claimed to be the second-best nasi lemak in PJ. With choices of small and large portions of nasi lemak, customers can choose based on how hungry they are at the moment. Both consist of a hard-boiled egg, anchovies, peanuts, spicy kick sambal, and fragrant nasi lemak. You can also request a fried egg if you opt for the large portion. Sometimes, we like to order Nasi Lemak Sotong Sambal or Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng for added protein and flavour. With two branches across PJ, you can get a taste of delectable nasi lemak at either SS3 or Sea Park. However, we suggest you head to the one in Sea Park for an after-office meal, as the SS3 branch closes at 3 pm.
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 | Click here to view all contact details |
12. NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company
Who says nasi lemak can’t be plated in an aesthetically pleasing way? NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company serves some of the best nasi lemak in KL and PJ that totally don’t want to be missed. Each dish that comes out of the kitchen is not only delicious but also beautifully presented, so don’t forget to snap some pictures for the gram. We like how it takes nasi lemak to the next level, as you can find nasi lemak served with ayam bakar. With fragrant rice of strong pandan aroma and grilled-to-perfection ayam bakar, this popular dish is unquestionably the crowd’s favourite. The sambal also has just the right heat for a nice kick. Nasi Lemak Ayam Bakar Gulai and Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang are other standouts worth trying.
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 | Click here to view all contact details |
13. Nasi Lemak Angah
If you feel like indulging in nasi lemak in the middle of the month, we suggest heading to Nasi Lemak Angah for a good portion of nasi lemak without costing a fortune. We love that the rice of nasi lemak is cooked with ginger, pandan leaves, and lemongrass, making it very fragrant and tasty. Some of the side dishes to pick from are ayam berempah, kerang sambal, daging rendang, and paru berlada. With the classic warung vibes, this is a nice spot to have a great breakfast during the weekends. Do plan your visit well, though, because it will be packed despite its ample seating area.
For more information & to place an order, click here.
| Address | Pasar Batu 2 1/2 Ipoh, Jln Sultan Azlan Shah, Sentul, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours | Wednesdays – Sundays: 9 am – 2 pm Mondays – Tuesdays: Closed |
| Contact Details | +6017 671 2213 |
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