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On my quest to try as many nasi lemak spots as possible in KL (and Selangor), I once again found myself in Sea Park, Petaling Jaya. This time, it was Nasi Lemak Serunai, a modern eatery with a cosy interior and a surprisingly simple menu. They offered nasi lemak with various side dishes (most of which were already sold out by 7pm), char kway teow, Indomie with spicy sambal, plus drinks and desserts.
Even before I fully stepped out of my cab, the staff greeted me with warmth and attentiveness (which alarmed me a little, if I’m being honest). With such hospitality and a dimly lit yet inviting ambiance, I was more than ready to dig in.
What I tried at Nasi Lemak Serunai
As tempting as a plate of maggi noodles with spicy sambal berlado sounded, I opted for their Nasi Lemak (RM5.50) — all for the sake of my lovely readers. The stomachache-inducing Indomie could wait!
The moment my plate arrived, my eyes (and nose) locked onto the generous pile of fried shallots atop the sambal. Expecting them to just act as the garnish, I was pleasantly surprised to find them fully incorporated into the sambal itself. It had the rich, crispy essence of dry sambal bawang goreng often sold in jars, but with just enough moisture to serve as a proper nasi lemak sambal.
As a fried shallot enthusiast, Nasi Lemak Serunai’s sambal easily secured a spot in my top favourites. The shallots delivered a perfect balance of sweet, savoury, and funky notes, offering a delightful crunch before melting away, leaving behind a rich caramelised flavour. The finely-ground red chillies itself leaned more on the savoury side, with its sweetness coming from the shallots — and oh, it wasn’t spicy at all.
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The rice, however, was a letdown. While it had all the right aromatics and a hint of santan, the texture missed the mark — tough, not fluffy. I was okay with the consistency of the sambal at first, but with the texture of the rice, it would have been better if the sambal was more watery to help moisten the rice for a more satisfying bite.
The sunny-side-up egg was fully cooked — not ideal for a runny yolk enthusiast like me. On the bright side, the Japanese cucumber slices were fresh and crunchy, and the ikan bilis had an unexpectedly satisfying crisp.
To round out my nasi lemak, I added a thigh piece of Ayam Goreng Berempah (RM7.50). It came with a generous heap of fried spices, but sadly, they lacked crunch. Instead of that crispy bite I was hoping for, the bits melted on my tongue, more like chicken floss. As for the chicken itself? Overcooked. Only the center was tender enough to enjoy, while the rest leaned on the dry side.
I couldn’t resist trying the Sotong Crispy (RM15.90) — though, I’ll admit, I mistakenly assumed it came with nasi lemak. That was on me. Still, for the price, I expected a more generous portion.
The squid itself was thick and chewy, making it tough to bite into — or even cut with a spoon. On the plus side, the crust was delightfully crispy and thin, crackling with just the slightest bite. The seasoning seemed simple — salt, pepper, and maybe a dash of onion powder — though I wouldn’t be surprised if they used pre-mixed frying flour.
However, as I kept eating, the salt and MSG became overpowering, leaving an almost cloying sensation on my palate. The squid was fried with curry leaves, yet somehow, their signature aroma was completely missing from the dish.
Final thoughts
For RM5.50, a basic plate of nasi lemak at Nasi Lemak Serunai is worth it — if you live nearby. While the rice wasn’t to my liking, the flavourful sambal made up for it, keeping the dish enjoyable. That said, the side dishes fell short, especially given their price points.
For a place that specialises in nasi lemak, I expected them to perfect their limited menu — but unfortunately, I left disappointed. Still, taste is subjective, so don’t knock it till you try it!
Expected damage: RM5.50 – RM21.40 per pax
