Nasi Lemak @ Mamalee, Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya

 

There are few dishes universally loved like the fabled nasi lemak. After years apart, finally, I am able to rekindle my connection with this legendary local staple. And Mamalee was the place to be. 

A peek inside

The first question that most people would have asked would be why not Village Park Nasi Lemak just not too far away. Well, I have never tried Mamalee before and although Village Park has great food, I have been there many times before my return to home soil. Thus, without further hesitation, I ordered myself a serving of nasi lemak with a side of extra squid sambal. The dish stood at a modest RM16. And overall, it was pretty good.

The local hero

The rice was fluffy but a bit sticky, and the sambal was loaded with squid. The heat level of the sambal was just right, with the right amount of kick and sweetness. The squid was supple and chewy, with a great mouthfeel. The usual suspects like peanuts, cucumber, and half a boiled egg were present. Although I was expecting a little more. But all the main elements were spot on, so there is not much to complain about in the end. 

Massive!

On the other hand, if you like something with more crunch, then the salted egg chicken set will be up your alley. This stood for RM 14. The chicken was top-class. The outer bits was deep-fried to perfection. With a crust covered with salted egg, it was sweet, spicy, sad savoury all at once. The chicken was cooked well and was still juicy all over. In terms of cost performance, this easily outshone the squid sambal version. Do bear in mind this comes with standard sambal though, so not all is lost. 

Thirst breaker

And when it comes to drinks, there is nothing like some teh limau to accompany such a classic meal. It is a standard issue, but it always satisfies. One glass stood for RM4. A bit pricey, but it's alright I guess. Overall, I found this meal pretty satisfying. However, there are other places that can outclass it easily, one example is Village Park just close by. Be that as it may, sometimes its good to try different takes on the same dish. And Mamalee's take on this classic staple has my stamp of approval. Fancy a go? The address is as follows:

27M (1st Floor),  Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Although tucked in a commercial block, it is still easy to reach