Sun 15 Oct 2006
Nasi Lemak - Nasi Lemak Cikgu - Kelana Jaya
Posted by smoking salmon under Malay, Nasi Lemak, Kelana Jaya
Nasi Lemak is typically referred to as Malaysia’s national dish and ranks very highly on my list of favourite foods. I can never get enough of it, and it’s not unusual for me to have a packet before work and then order it again at a restaurant during lunch. Even while studying in Australia the Nasi Lemak cravings still occurred, which prompted fruitless quests in search of a restaurant that served this amazing dish. Even though we KNEW that we could never find a decent plate of Nasi Lemak anywhere outside Malaysia, it never stopped us trying, and never failed to leave us feeling disappointed and empty at the end of the day.
How great it feels to be back home now and have Nasi Lemak around every corner. One of the more famous ones is Nasi Lemak Cikgu, located in Kelana Jaya. The owners of Cikgu have been around for years, and moved around a lot as well, having started out with just a roadside stall, before finally arriving at their own shop in Kelana Jaya. They even went into franchising, and for a while you could enjoy Nasi Lemak Cikgu at Cheow Yang restaurant in SS2, but not anymore.
I’d lost touch with them for several years due to their moving around, and was ecstatic when i recently discovered them again. They have a nice shop now, but they don’t seem to be getting too many customers. That’s why in the food business, it’s probably better not to be a nomad.
I went with SekSun and 2 other non-reviewers. The shop doesn’t only serve Nasi Lemak, but that’s what all of us were there for.
The fried chicken is probably the highlight of this Nasi Lemak, so I wouldn’t even consider ordering Nasi Lemak Biasa. Naturally, you’d have to get it when it’s freshly cooked, so timing is everything. The sambal is cooked with ikan bilis and onions, and pretty damn good. It tastes a little sweet and is not too spicy so you can add lots of it. My only gripe is with the absence of fried ikan bilis, which, in my humble opinion, should always accompany a plate of Nasi Lemak. That brings my enjoyment down a tiny notch.
This plate has fried egg and some kind of malay meatball (I forget the name) made with beef and potatoes, which wasn’t bad. It’s just a shame nobody wanted to have squid. Next time I’ll definitely try the squid and get them to do a bullseye egg for me. I’ve already had a word with them about the fried ikan bilis. As it stands, I’d rate Nasi Lemak Cikgu a 7.5/10.
Anyway, I hope business picks up for them as I love their Nasi Lemak and don’t want them to disappear again. Go check them out next week after the Ramadan month. To the Malays out there, Selamat Berbuka Puasa.
[Ratings]
October 15th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
This nasi lemak used to be everywhere and at one time was d nasi lemak n PJ/Shah Alam/Klang !
As you said they have slowed down, both in terms of quantity and well quality. But they are still good. I used to ta pau from Giant Bukit Tinggi and Chow Yang for people.
Try the NL takeaway in Jaya Jusco 1 Utama, daging rendang version. It should change your perspective of nasi lemak in Shopping Centres ( at least for a while )!
Otherwise try the backlane of PJ, near the bahagia LRT station. Mamak shop but sourced from some authentic Malay makchiks. For taste I rate 9/10. Maybe bcoz only 70cts. Check my site for location!
the RA in KL is also darn good.
October 16th, 2006 at 6:08 am
Thanks for the tips toniXe.. will give some of your places a try for sure.
Sounds like you’re a fan as well. Let me recommend a few in return.. The mamak at Paramount next to the Maybank serves a pretty good one, it’s fried chicken in particular is outstanding. For the packet type i’m a big fan of the stall in Damansara Heights just outside my office, on Changkat Semantan. But that one only can get in the morning. Will try to review these soon so I don’t forget.
October 16th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Interesting.. I thought nasi lemak cikgu is just beside KJ Giant? Related?
October 16th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Found your site through Backstreet Glutton. Nice site you have there!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
Jee, they used to be beside the Giant. Long time not there already. I went there hunting for it recently and eventually managed to coax another stall owner to tell me where they’d went (they seemed quite reluctant to divulge the info).
Now they are at SS4, facing a big field, and near a 7 eleven. If you don’t know how to find it let me know i’ll try to come up with directions.
Rasa Msia, still a lot of work to be done, but thanks!
March 9th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
lo have u tried nasi lemak tanglin its opposite tanglin govt clinic behind Methodist Girls school/Masjid Negara. They hv been around for ages prob since 70’s or earlier. Worth checking out dangi wangi nasi lemak Just b4 Singapore Airlines Bldg.
January 1st, 2008 at 1:09 am
nasi lemak cikgu used to be nice when they r selling it at pasar ramadan only… since they got the new shop at SS6/2B (not SS4) its not nice anymore… the sambal not nice,the nasi lemak taste like normal rice… it’s just not nice anymore not like how it used to be when they were selling at pasar ramadan.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hie bro, I tried finding , mind dropping me an sms at 021-3112639? I’ll call you back!got lost finding it!
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:32 am
to whom may concern, can some1 pls send me the map or direction. it nearby which station?bahagia or paramount?