We tried the ‘second best nasi lemak in Petaling Jaya’

If you stroll previous Botak Nasi Lemak situated in SS3 Petaling Jaya, you received’t be capable to miss an indication on the entrance of the restaurant which screams, ‘Second best nasi lemak in Petaling Jaya’. 

Curious, I appeared it up and discovered that this was the restaurant’s tagline. Interesting. Time to place their phrases to the take a look at. 

Their SS3 outlet is their OG, however they’ve a second outlet situated in Sea Park. The one at SS3 closes by 3pm, so should you’re hankering for some nasi lemak for dinner, you may head to their Sea Park outlet because it operates as much as 11.30pm.

You have a selection between the small and enormous model of nasi lemak. The Small Nasi Lemak (RM2.50) is principally the quintessential nasi lemak bungkus that everyone knows and love. It consists of a hard-boiled egg, peanuts, ikan bilis with sambal and aromatic rice wrapped in banana leaf and paper. 

The Large Nasi Lemak (RM5) comes with a selection of fried egg or hard-boiled egg. You can choose so as to add in your selection of protein: fried hen, curry hen, sotong sambal, or a mixture of proteins. Not within the temper for nasi lemak? You can go for a noodle dish as a substitute like their Mee Siam (RM4) or Mee Goreng (RM4). 

Botak Nasi Lemak practices self-service— place your order on the counter and in lower than 30 seconds, your order can be on the counter.

What I attempted at Botak Nasi Lemak

I made a decision on the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng (RM10.50) together with a small plate of Sotong Sambal (RM5.50). My Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng was moderately a formidable sight: an enormous pile of rice cooked in coconut milk, sambal, fried hen, a smattering of battered fried onions, fried peanuts, and a fried egg.

Hold up, fried egg? 

I’m a nasi lemak purist and an avid fan of  exhausting boiled eggs. So naturally, I couldn’t assist however really feel a twinge of disappointment. I later found that you simply needed to request for a tough boiled egg should you needed one, in any other case you’ll find yourself frowning on the sight of a fried egg. Oh properly, some issues in life are supposed to be realized the exhausting approach. 

The first taste-test: the sambal. I closed my eyes and whispered a silent prayer in hopes that  there could be a touch of spice earlier than I scooped up  a spoonful of sambal.

Immediately, a scrumptious spicy kick hit my style buds and a large smile unfold throughout my face. Having eaten on the likes of Village Park Restaurant and Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kg Baru the place the sambal has all the time been on the sweeter aspect, this was a extremely refreshing change. I additionally observed that the sambal is extra akin to sambal bawang, with its heavy use of onions.

The mixture of the spicy sambal, rice, crunchy anchovies and egg was positively smashing. I may see myself coming again for the small packet of nasi lemak. 

The fried hen, nonetheless, was moderately underwhelming. The battered fried onions sprinkled on the highest had been chilly and the batter was thick. There was no thrilling crunch to stay up for. The saving grace was that the hen itself was juicy and tender. 

Finally, I took a shot on the Sambal Sotong which I used to be moderately apprehensive about. I’ve had many variations of Sambal Sotong and more often than not, it’s a chewy, disappointing affair. So you may think about the enjoyment I felt when the thick slices of squid had been truly tender! 

Yes people, it was so tender that I couldn’t consider my eyes (or moderately my tongue) and needed to attain for extra. I’ve to confess that the squid was the actually underdog dish of the meal. I used to be blown away. Seafood lovers, it’s important to do that! 

Final ideas

So, is Botak Nasi Lemak the ‘second best nasi lemak in Petaling Jaya’? 

Fried hen apart, they serve a reasonably imply plate of nasi lemak. The portion dimension is beneficiant and you’re going to get an excellent bang for the buck. I’ll be again for his or her nasi lemak that’s for certain— that addictive spicy sambal has obtained me hooked!

However I wouldn’t say it’s the second greatest, but it surely’s fairly respectable should you’re craving a plate of nasi lemak. Do strive it and decide for your self!

Expected injury: RM3 – RM11 per pax

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Choon Yien Chicken Rice: The crispy & tender hen rice at Section 17 continues to win prospects over