When it comes to Malaysian food, nasi lemak is easily one of my all-time favourite comfort dishes. With so many nasi lemak stalls and restaurants across Malaysia, everyone seems to have their own favourite spot.
While I was at Mid Valley South Key, I happened to chance upon the restaurant and decided to give Nasi Lemak Shop a try since it specialises in one of Malaysia’s most iconic dishes.
The staff recommended me to try their bestseller, the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng.
Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng – Their Best Seller
The Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng comes with the familiar combination of fragrant coconut rice, fried chicken, sambal, half of a boiled egg, ikan bilis and peanuts.
It’s a classic combination that’s hard to go wrong with although in Singapore we typically have our eggs fried sunny side up.
As their bestseller, I was naturally expecting something that would stand out from the many nasi lemak places I’ve tried before.
Overall, I thought it was not bad and certainly enjoyable, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling it one of the best nasi lemak dishes I’ve had.
There wasn’t anything particularly disappointing about the meal, but at the same time, it didn’t quite leave that lasting impression that would make me want to rank it among my favourites.
What Makes a Good Nasi Lemak?
For me, a really good nasi lemak is all about how well the different components come together.
The coconut rice should be fragrant enough to enjoy on its own, while the sambal needs to strike a good balance between sweetness, spiciness and savouriness.
When paired with ayam goreng, the fried chicken should complement the rice and sambal rather than overpowering them.
It’s this overall balance that separates a decent plate of nasi lemak from a truly memorable one.
And with Malaysia having so many excellent nasi lemak options, the competition is definitely tough.
Final Verdict: Is Nasi Lemak Shop Worth Trying?
Overall, my experience at Nasi Lemak Shop was fairly positive. Yes it was a takeaway order hence I did adjust my expectations to judge it fairly.
Their best-selling Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng was enjoyable and I can understand why it’s a popular choice on the menu.
With so many excellent nasi lemak spots around, it takes something truly special to stand out.
For me, it was a decent plate of nasi lemak, just not one that has managed to dethrone my personal favourite which is in KL, Malaysia.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Nasi Lemak Shop
LG36, Lower Ground Floor, Mid Valley, Persiaran Southkey 1, Southkey, 80150 Kota Southkey, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gPzvX7nPukVYDUBB6
