When I told my friend my next nasi lemak stop was 100 Years Nasi Lemak at Jalan Galloway in Bukit Bintang, she quipped, “You’re gonna wait 100 years for a plate of nasi lemak? Bit much, even for you.” Lame, yes — and a little uncalled for — but it did earn a chuckle.
Now, to the more pressing question: how did this fairly new spot land such a timeless name? Apparently the building itself is a century old — 2 storeys tall, not counting the charming al fresco area with its beautifully laid cobblestone and pebble flooring, the first thing that greets you past the front gate before stepping into the air-conditioned interior.
The ground floor caters to the grab-and-go crowd, the second is warm and intimate, and the rooftop offers a breezy dining experience with views of the soaring Merdeka 118 tower. Craving a little peace, my dining partner and I made our way up the narrow wooden stairs to the 2nd floor, choosing comfort and quiet over the bustle below.
What I tried at 100 Years Nasi Lemak
After a warm welcome and a gracious escort to our table (impeccable service!), I dove straight into the menu. The variety was impressive — nasi lemak, fried rice, noodles — each paired with tempting sides like fried chicken, rendang, ayam merah, and satay. They even offered other local gems like Nasi Kerabu and Nasi Kunyit.
Naturally, I had to go for their signature dish — the Nasi Lemak 100 Years (RM16.90), which came with a quarter leg of Ayam Goreng Berempah. The price immediately reminded me of my dearly missed Nasi Lemak Shop, and as soon as the plate landed on the table, I was taken aback — it looked uncannily similar to theirs. Excited, I grabbed my phone, did the obligatory photo shoot (the struggle is real), and finally, dug in.
Even after sitting out for a bit, the rice still crumbled under my spoon like a delicate mound of pillowy sand — each grain was fluffy. The first bite had me hooked: rich, creamy santan and heady aromatics filled my mouth, but it was the ginger that truly stole the show. It wasn’t just fragrant — it bordered on spicy from the sheer intensity of the ginger’s presence. No notes — absolute perfection.
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Next up: the sambal — strikingly red and oh-so-inviting. While the texture wasn’t as silky-smooth as I typically prefer, it was thankfully ground fine enough not to stick to my teeth (we’ve all been there). But the real surprise came with the first taste. I was floored, again.
Most sambal varieties I’ve had tend to lean one way: sour from tamarind, spicy from chillies, sweet from onions, fishy from anchovies — or some mix of the four. But this one was in a league of its own. There was a subtle sweetness, but the tanginess was unusual. It wasn’t the familiar zap of tamarind, lime or asam keping. After a few thoughtful spoonfuls, it hit me.
I’m almost certain that the citrusy kick came from turmeric leaf. It added a bright, herbaceous twist that was unexpected but completely addictive. I couldn’t stop eating it, even on its own. Paired with the coconut rice, I came dangerously close to asking for a second helping.
As for the supporting cast — the roasted peanuts, crisp ikan bilis, hard-boiled egg, and fresh cucumber slices — they did their jobs well.
Finally, the crown jewel: the Ayam Goreng Berempah. Those crackly bits sprinkled on top were beautifully crisp and packed with flavour, matching the chicken’s skin in texture. Slicing into it felt like setting off edible firecrackers — snap, and crackle. The meat was juicy and well-seasoned.
One curious twist, though — the chicken carried the comforting, familiar taste of everyday Malay-style chicken soup. It made me wonder: did they boil it first, then dip it in a wet batter before frying it to golden glory?
After such a stellar first dish, the next one fell a little short. As a lover of all things spicy — and a sucker for Indonesian rice dishes — I couldn’t resist trying their crowd-favourite Nasi Lemak Ayam Penyet (RM17.90). But despite its mouthwatering appearance, it committed a cardinal sin: no tempeh. A tragedy, honestly.
The surprises didn’t end there. I expected a hearty whole leg of ayam penyet, just like in the menu and all those Google reviews — but was instead served a smaller drumstick piece of ayam goreng berempah. A familiar face, just not the one I had in mind.
This version came with 2 types of sambal — classic red and a tangy sambal hijau — plus tauhu and raw cabbage instead of the usual peanuts and ikan bilis. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, and while the green sambal leaned more sour than spicy, I still cleaned the plate. No regrets on that front.
Still, I was left wondering why I got a smaller cut of chicken — identical in taste to the first dish, juicy and crisp — for a ringgit more.
Final thoughts
After sampling more nasi lemak than I can count across KL and Selangor, I can confidently say this: I’ve found my personal 2nd-best nasi lemak — right after Nasi Lemak Shop. 100 Years Nasi Lemak feels like a future classic in the making. I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a firm favourite in the hearts (and stomachs) of many more to come.
Expected damage: RM16.90 – RM19.90 per pax
Price: $ $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
100 Years Nasi Lemak
10, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50150
100 Years Nasi Lemak
10, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50150
