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If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the discourse around Roots Bangsar’s newest drop — Nasi Lemak Risotto. It’s very much a love it or side-eye it situation. Some people are genuinely intrigued by the fusion, others are already writing it off. Which, fair.
The idea of nasi lemak turned creamy and risotto-style isn’t exactly what we grew up with, and a softer, almost “mushy” version of something we’re used to fluffy can be a bit… questionable at first.
But also, fun fact, Roots isn’t even the first in Malaysia to try this. UpperDeck KL actually did their own take back in 2022. That barley-based one leaned a lot more risotto visually, so it didn’t really scream nasi lemak to me, but still, the concept isn’t entirely new.
Anyway, curiosity got the better of me. Before I get into whether this works or not, let’s talk a bit about Roots.
They’ve been around since 2022 and have built a name for themselves as a vegetarian spot that doesn’t just stick to one cuisine. The menu is quite the mix, but in a good way. You’ll see noodles, rice dishes, pizzas, and some more experimental stuff all sitting together.
They also do their own breads like sourdough focaccia, plus house-made sambals & pastes in jars that you can literally just grab and bring home.
What to order at Roots Bistro
First up, the one everyone’s here for — Nasi Lemak Risotto (RM32). I’m not gonna lie, this might be the priciest nasi lemak I’ve personally paid for, aside from NALE The Nasi Lemak Company. Presentation-wise, it’s actually really pretty. Nice plate, very creamy-looking, and that signature blue from the bunga telang really pops.
I’m assuming Roots Bangsar doesn’t use orzo for this dish, but actual rice instead. It might look mushy, but the grains still had a slight bite, which I appreciated. I’m guessing they cooked it risotto-style with santan, so you get that creamy consistency without completely losing the texture.
You could even see little white flecks throughout, probably from the coconut milk. Taste-wise, the santan really came through. It reminded me a lot of pulut with coconut milk — that kind of rich, sweet profile.
The mushroom sambal was packed with flavour, though a bit on the sweeter side for me. Combined with the santan, it leaned a little dessert-adjacent at times. Not necessarily a bad thing, just unexpected.
They used a mix of mushrooms, which added some variety, and the vegan ikan bilis plus roasted peanuts helped balance things out with crunch. The yolk tied everything together and made it even creamier.
So, did I think it was good? Honestly, yes. Better than I expected. Would I go out of my way to order it again? Probably not. But it’s definitely one of those you have to try at least once before forming an opinion.
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Now, the real star of my meal at Roots Bangsar for me was the Laksa Angel Hair (RM23). And if you know me, you know I’m obsessed with angel hair.
The bowl came loaded with pasta sitting in a thick, creamy laksa broth that’s clearly been adjusted to suit the noodles. It coated every strand so nicely without feeling too heavy or jelak, which I really dig.
The mushrooms were something out of a dream. The flavourful lion’s mane was grilled till crispy on the outside, which made it super satisfying to bite into. Dare I say, it was even better than actual chicken. The vegan char siu was also done really well. Smoky, slightly fatty, and the texture was on point.
My dining partner and I were enjoying this a little too loudly, because the uncle next to us kept glancing over… and then ordered the exact same thing. What can I say, I’m just that good at being an influencer.
We also tried the Pink Lady (RM22), a sweet potato kombucha-based mocktail. They actually specialise in kombucha here and sell bottled ones too. This one leaned more fruity, like a mix of berries, and the kombucha tang wasn’t too strong. Good entry point if you’re not usually into kombucha.
Also, a small but nice touch, every table gets a complimentary bread basket with balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil. Always love when places do this, it just makes the whole experience feel a bit more generous.
Who Roots Bistro is best for
Roots Bistro suits all kinds of gatherings, though it feels most comfortable with smaller groups. It’s an easy pick for date nights and relaxed catch-ups with friends, where the cosy ambience does most of the talking.
How to get there?
Roots Bistro isn’t easily accessible by public transportation, so driving is your best bet. Just be prepared — parking in the area can be a bit of a challenge, especially during peak hours.
Do we recommend Roots Bistro?
Honestly, as a full-on meat lover, I didn’t expect to say this, but I can’t recommend Roots Bangsar enough.
The service was genuinely warm, the food was solid across the board, and the variety on the menu makes it easy to come back and try something new each time. It doesn’t feel restrictive or “too healthy” in the way some vegetarian spots can be.
My only gripe? It got a little stuffy while we were there. I was lowkey sweating buckets by the end of the meal, which took away from the overall comfort a bit. But aside from that, it’s a spot I’d happily return to, even as someone who usually defaults to meat.
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