KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 — One packet of the much-loved nasi lemak bungkus is never enough. Usually wrapped in banana leaf (hence the alternative name, nasi lemak daun pisang), brown paper or even old newspapers, the triangular-shaped package will contain just the basics of the ubiqutious dish: rice cooked with coconut milk, a dollop of spicy sambal with ikan bilis and a piece of hard boiled egg.

Generally, there are three types of stalls that sell this type of nasi lemak. Firstly, you have stalls that just peddle the pre-packed nasi lemak bungkus like the stall in Taman Tun Dr Ismail or even Abang Black who sells in Kepong Baru and Jinjang Utara. Occasionally, there are those who pack them only once orders are made, like the stall in front of the kopitiam, just off Jalan Ipoh. Some enterprising stalls even offer various toppings like sotong, chicken, etc. Usually, these stalls are found in the morning, as it’s designed as a quick breakfast-to-go for busy souls rushing to the office. 

Of course, you can also find the plate of pre-packed nasi lemak bungkus placed at the mamak stall table or even at the food court. These make quick eats that you just open and eat on the spot to stave off your hunger pangs before your order for breakfast is ready. Some stalls even place a plate of extra hard boiled eggs on the table as extra sustenance.

Finally, there are the more elaborate nasi lemak bungkus stalls that sell a mix of side dishes with the packets. It’s usually organised like a self-service canteen, where you pick up the nasi lemak packets first, then proceed down the line to pick your choice of side dishes whether it’s fried chicken, beef rendang or even deep fried cow’s lungs! Once your choices are made, just pay for the food to eat there or as a take-out. Most of these stalls open till late, catering for the night clubbing crowd who consider this perfect for a late night dinner or supper.

Studio 5’s Nasi Lemak Chun-One, Ampang Jaya, KL. Open daily: 3pm onwards for 23 hours

Look for these triangular-shaped nasi lemak branded as Nasi Lemak Chun-One at this stall at the popular Ampang Jaya stretch near ISKL. Some cheeky souls have also given it a naughty nickname nasi lemak tetek in honour of the pointy shapes. The packets priced at RM1.20 are kept warm in a steamer. Open one packet and the aroma of the coconut milk-cooked rice hits your nostrils together with the aroma of the banana leaf. The recipe is said to be the brainchild of the stall owner, Paul Yeoh’s mother. You will be spoiled for choice with the array of dishes as there are so many other stalls available here. A popular choice is the famous Zaini Satay with their tender beef and chicken satay. If you prefer more conventional accompaniments, the stall also cooks up a mean sambal sotong. There’s also fried chicken and beef rendang if you prefer.

Warong Nasi Lemak Panas Warisan Sambal Opah, 2, Jalan USJ9/5P, USJ 9, Subang Jaya. Open: 5pm to 4am. Closed on Tuesdays.

Keep calm and join the queue for these nasi lemak bungkus priced at RM1 each. It’s popular for take-aways, as people will fill up plastic bags with the packets, as fast as the workers can pack them. There’s a wide selection of dishes to select from, like fried chicken, beef rendang, prawn sambal, etc. The rice is fluffy with long grains and a mild coconut milk aroma. You also get crispy ikan bilis and a quarter piece of hard boiled egg paired with slightly spicy and sweet tasting sambal. If you are not a fan of nasi lemak, there is also a stall on site that cooks up mee rebus and the Batu Gajah version of char kway teow. Another stall offers grilled otak-otak too.  

Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang stall, Restaurant 88, Jalan Batu Bernam, 5th Mile, Off Jalan Ipoh (Near The Store), KL. Open: 7.30am to 2pm. Closed on Mondays.

Located right in front of a Chinese kopitiam, this stall does brisk morning business that sees their packets of nasi lemak being snapped up as soon as the Malay lady preps them. Each packet is RM1.50 — a mound of fluffy rice with a hint of coconut milk aroma, a sweeter tasting sambal with ikan bilis and quarter piece of hard boiled egg. Most of their patrons are Chinese who like to eat a packet as they wait for their bowl of noodles to be cooked. Some will take away a few packets for family and friends.

Nasi Lemak Atan, Lorong Haji Hussein 3, Chow Kit, KL. Open daily: 6.30pm to 5am.

It’s worth sniffing out this stall located in the heart of Chow Kit, just opposite a bundle shop trading in shoes. The stall is also just right next to the popular night market that sells all kinds of clothes and offer reflexology services. Each packet is priced at RM1. What we like is they are generous with their sambal that is filled with chopped onions and ikan bilis that adds a nice sweetness to the fluffy aromatic rice. Even their selection of items is top class with huge pieces of deep fried cow’s lungs or fork tender beef rendang.

Nasi Lemak Yatie, Gerai No. 6 and Nasi Lemak Suri, Gerai No. 1, Medan Selera, Jalan 223, PJ.

Within this food court, these two iconic stalls fight for your never-ending appetite for nasi lemak. It’s not hard to spot the difference; Yatie’s packets have a red coloured chop while Suri’s packets have a blue coloured chop. If you prefer your nasi lemak to be piping hot, look for Yatie’s rendition, as the packets are packed in small batches. The sambal is also distinctly sweeter compared to Suri’s spicier rendition. Supplement your meal with grilled otak-otak or pick your choice of dishes from their respective stalls. Nasi Lemak Suri is open for 24 hours, hence you can get your fix, every day and night. For Nasi Lemak Yatie, it’s open from 5pm to 5am.