Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa Kg Baru - Melati Utama

Foremost on my food chain in the nasi lemak joint will be the ever popular beef rendang and then follow by chicken rendang then cockles. These never fail to excite my taste-buds. Sotong has been one of my favourite also until the market was flooded with sotong that are cardboard-like and when overcooked taste like one. The only good thing was the sotong curry gravy which I substituted my sambal with. Too much dry chili in the sambal makes it very 'hot' and experiencing the aftermath the next morning is not very nice.
One of my friends used to packed the famous Dang Wangi's nasi lemak for my colleagues and I years ago. Enjoyed the moist and fluffy nasi lemak and the tasty rendang chicken or beef. For my regular fix in my younger days, it used to come from a genial and generous Pak Cik in Taman Melawati. His concerns for his customers, young and old, boys and girls, of all races endeared him in my heart. His rice was fluffy and slightly starchy (which I preferred) with strong pandan leaves fragrance and loads of santan.

The rendang was laden with spices and herbs and much sought after. The tender meat willingly released its grip on the bone. Chewing the meat with its gravy and curry freely intermingling with it, will send me to food seven-heaven. Especially nice would be the kaffir lime leaves that imparts a strong citrus aroma and a lingering tang. Then there was the strong fragrance from the slivers of turmeric leaves and the taut pungency of the galanggal. And not forgetting the last of the trinity of the local herbs, the subtle and smooth aroma of the lemon grass.

Since then I have always compare nasi lemak quality based on this standard.

Nasi Lemak with Chicken Rendang. The sambal seems to be a bit weak. Lack the heat which I like but may not be look upon favourably by those who wanted it really hot. The meat was premium - tender and sweet. The rendang gravy was there but I am surprise they kept it subtle rather than strong. The subtle taste would be a recurring theme here for other food that I tasted. I preferred it strong and overpowering.

The rice was fragrant from the pandan and santan infusion. It was fluffy with separated grains therefore all the starchiness was all gone.
Nasi Lemak with Ayam Berempah. Good piece of meat again. Fresh, tender, sweet and very desirable. The skin with has a nice crisp and the spices again were subtle but with a stronger dosage of kunyit powder (turmeric). Nice.
Nasi Lemak with Rendang Daging. My eating companion told me the meat was not up to the high standard expected of an old and famous brand. Each set is RM9.90 and comes with paru-paru (lungs) and a glass of ice lemon tea. I admit that cow lungs is not part of my diet. Never eaten it before and reluctant to try when presented with the opportunity. It’s the hang-up thing. But then I tried. It was leathery as it should be a suppose.

Nasi Lemak with Petai and Udang. Also not up to the mark expected. Guess it was also the small portion served.

This Sup Tulang Rawan was the star. At RM3.95 it had a very generous amount of meat and the sup was very good. Thick and aromatic with strong beefy flavour and smell. The bowl was slightly smaller than the usual sup ekor in the mamak stalls but more than compensated the slight shortfall in quantity with its high quality. This would be my standard order when I am there.

The food counter.Guess what the also have a lot of other dishes on their menu. If one don't fancy curried stuff go for the toast bread and other side-kicks. The traditional bread was good, just like the kopitiams.