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In Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, the question of the “best” nasi lemak has launched many a spirited debate. Village Park? Nasi Lemak Shop? Or perhaps some tucked-away roadside stall that doesn’t even have a name? Everyone’s answer is different, and everyone is convinced they’re right. But what about Bangi? My random quest for answers led me to an unfamiliar name that popped up on Google — Nasi Lemak Sepinggan in Bandar Baru Bangi.
I’ll be honest, I had never heard of it before. Yet the internet consensus seemed unusually harmonious. This was either the best nasi lemak in town, or at the very least, one worth the trip. The opening hours already caught my attention. From 4pm to midnight on weekdays, with an earlier 12pm start on weekends. Romantic as the idea of a nasi lemak breakfast may be, this is a dinner-and-supper affair only.
What I tried at Nasi Lemak Sepinggan
When it comes to nasi lemak, I have one rule in my book. To truly judge, you start with the classic, which is Nasi Lemak Ayam Rempah (RM14).
My plate arrived like a neat little gift, complete with sambal, hard-boiled egg, cucumber slices, crispy ikan bilis, and roasted peanuts. A surprisingly rare full set these days, where some places quietly skip the basics, perhaps in the name of cost-cutting and inflation. I have to give points for the presentation! The banana leaf sat on top of paper trimmed into an 8-pointed star, which was super adorable.
The sambal hit first with the briny depth of shrimp paste, followed by a mellow sweetness from onions and sugar, wrapped up with a tingling, lingering heat. While my personal allegiance lies with tangier sambals, I could appreciate the robust flavours here.
Nasi Lemak Kak Non: Supper spot serving all-day basmati rice nasi lemak in Ampang
The rice was a different story — infused with just a whisper of santan, but a little too soft, which was evident from the way the grains clumped together over time. Still, with the well-seasoned sambal as its partner, it held up well enough for me to finish the whole portion.
As for the fried chicken, my spoon met some resistance at first, and I braced myself for disappointment. Instead, the crust shattered under the bite, revealing meat that, while not exactly juicy, was tender enough. The seasoning was quite laid-back, which might please those who prefer a milder spice profile.
The supporting cast — anchovies, peanuts, and cucumbers — played their roles, though the cucumbers were slightly on the dry side.
I admit, greed (or curiosity, depending on your perspective) got the better of me. I added the Kambing Grill (RM18) to my order, which came in the form of lamb chops cut into bite-sized pieces.
While I wished for more char and a slightly larger portion, the flavour carried itself well. Not wagyu tender, but no jaw workout required either. Naturally, the fatty pieces stole the show.
Final thoughts
Can I declare Nasi Lemak Sepinggan the crown jewel of Bangi? Not quite. After all, my exploration of the area is still in its infancy. But it’s the kind of place I’d happily have on speed dial if I lived nearby, especially given its late-night hours and mix of cosy indoor tables with breezy outdoor seating for a proper lepak sesh.
For now, it’s a worthy contender in Bangi’s nasi lemak conversation — just maybe not the last word.
Expected damage: RM5.50 – RM23 per pax
