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Have you ever heard of nasi lemak made with basmati rice? It’s pretty common nowadays, though I don’t find it particularly special. When I think of basmati, I picture those long grains with vibrant colours and bold flavours — like biryani or maybe nasi minyak. But nasi lemak? I couldn’t wrap my head around how swapping the rice could elevate such a classic dish.
Naturally, I had to investigate! Enter Nasi Lemak Kak Non, an Ampang eatery that just opened in August 2024 and is making waves for its basmati twist on the beloved nasi lemak. What really caught my eye, though, is that they serve it all day, right into the night! Perfect for anyone who loves a late-night nasi lemak fix (which, let’s be real, is always a vibe).
The moment I arrived, I was instantly captivated by the stunning girl plastered next to the signage — who I could only assume symbolised Kak Non herself. I barely saw her for 2 seconds, but it was enough to fall head over heels. What a baddie.
The interior was colour-coordinated with hues of black and green, complete with a snooker table for those looking for a nice game after their meal.
What I tried at Nasi Lemak Kak Non
Being at a nasi lemak spot, of course I had to try their nasi lemak. It’s a given! Note to potential visitors, they only start serving lunch menus like Char Kuey Teow from 11am onwards.
I’m not sure if I arrived either too early or too late, but the only protein choices available were the classic fried chicken (RM5) and fried beef lung (RM5). Unable to choose, I decided to go with both.
The basic nasi lemak starts at RM4, and it comes with the essentials: sambal, roasted peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber slices, and of course, the signature coconut rice. At first glance, the plate looked quite appetising, with a reasonable portion size that promised satisfaction. I could hardly wait to dig in.
When it comes to tasting nasi lemak, I always begin by sampling the rice and sambal on their own. In my opinion, these are the key components that define the dish. If these elements miss the mark, unfortunately, there’s little hope for the rest of the meal.
As expected, the longer basmati grains didn’t make much of a difference. In fact, I’d actually prefer the usual short-grain rice for my nasi lemak. That said, the santan flavour was balanced and rich, though the rice seemed to lean toward a simpler recipe — I couldn’t detect the usual hints of onions or spices like cloves. Still, the rice was perfectly cooked.
Next, I sampled the sambal, and I was pleased with the flavours. It delivered a nice balance of sweet and heat, giving just enough of a playful kick to the taste buds. However, when mixed with the rice, the sweetness did become more pronounced.
The fried beef lung was a pleasant surprise as well — soft, easy to chew, and not overly tough. But, it did have a strong beefy taste, which might not be for everyone. If you’re sensitive to that kind of flavour, you might want to skip this.
Unfortunately, things took a turn when I got to the fried chicken. As someone who considers themselves a fried chicken enthusiast (and who has probably eaten more chicken than I’ve seen my own family in a lifetime), I can confidently say — I know my fried chicken.
From the moment I tried to cut into the chicken, I had a sinking feeling that something had gone wrong in the cooking process. Dark meat, particularly thigh, is usually forgiving and stays juicy with minimal effort, unlike white meat. However, despite this being a thigh piece, the texture was oddly reminiscent of dry chicken breast. And yes, it was tough to chew.
On the upside, the flavours of the marinade on the outside were subtle and pleasant, though unfortunately, they didn’t penetrate much into the meat itself.
As for the fried anchovies, they were disappointingly stale, lacking the crispy bite I was hoping would complement the nasi lemak. Luckily, the cucumber slices came through — they were refreshingly crisp and added a much-needed burst of freshness to the plate.
Final thoughts
While I find the basmati rice twist intriguing, I believe their nasi lemak has the potential to be much better. They’ve already perfected the essentials — coconut rice and sambal — but unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the side dishes.
That being said, Nasi Lemak Kak Non is still a newcomer on the scene, so there’s plenty of room for improvement as they grow and refine their offerings!
Keep in mind that on Sundays, they only serve nasi lemak as the opening hours are much shorter.
Expected damage: RM4 – RM14 per pax
Nasi Lemak Alor Corner: KL’s beloved nasi lemak stall that’s been operating since 1980
