NS Nasi Kandar — Restaurant in George Town

“Penang(’s) Favourite Nasi Kandar”? Spare us the comedy. That tagline is as offensive as the food, and the punctuation alone is a red flag.

The Jalan Burma branch of NS Nasi Kandar is just another miserable extension of a franchise that should’ve stayed in the early 2000s. Overrated, overpriced, and thoroughly underwhelming, this place is an embarrassment to Malaysia’s proud food heritage.

Location? Dreadful. Smack in the middle of Jalan Burma's chaos, wedged between two shoplots like it’s ashamed to exist. Parking is a kamikaze mission—only manageable if you abandon all decency and double-park like an entitled maniac. Expect a chorus of honks, rolling eyes, and the sweet scent of exhaust fumes to accompany your dining "experience."

Motorcyclists add their own flair to the disaster by parking haphazardly on the narrow walkway, effectively blocking any pedestrian access. The entrance becomes a mini obstacle course, and the staff? They're too busy ignoring customers to bother enforcing any sort of order—or basic decency.

Now, brace yourself for the food. The “nasi kandar” is a sad, greasy mess. A chunk of fried chicken, suspiciously red like it’s been marinated in food dye rather than spices, was so rubbery it could’ve bounced off the floor and back onto the plate. The cabbage was limp, lifeless, and barely warm. The so-called “gravy” was nothing more than oil, dusted with whatever seasoning was closest. There’s no depth, no fragrance, just a hot, slick puddle of disappointment.

And let’s talk hygiene, or more accurately—the complete absence of it. The food prep area looks like it’s never seen a proper clean. Tables are sticky, trays are greasy, and utensils are handled like they’ve just been scooped out of a drain. You’d have better luck finding cleanliness in a back alley mamak stall at 3 a.m. At least there, they make an effort. Here? The floors are a slip hazard, the counters are a biohazard, and the whole environment feels like a petri dish for the next stomach bug outbreak.

Ordering is a nightmare. Forget queues or logic—it’s a free-for-all. The staff prioritize delivery drivers while dine-in patrons are left to figure out the chaos. Ask for your tough-as-leather chicken to be cut? Prepare to be met with confusion or flat-out ignored. Or worse—reprimanded for not having psychic powers to preempt their laziness.

Beverages are an insult. Your safest bet is to drink nothing or risk whatever mystery liquid they consider “teh o ais.”

The cherry on this dumpster fire? The price. You’ll pay a premium for this misery, only to be rewarded with cold indifference and indigestion. Cash payment is still the norm—because of course it is. The cashier, with all the warmth of a traffic cop in a heatwave, completes the experience with unapologetic rudeness.

Final verdict: NS Nasi Kandar (Jalan Burma) is a lesson in everything that’s gone wrong with “famous” food spots. It’s unsanitary, chaotic, and completely devoid of any culinary pride. A stain on Penang’s food scene and a waste of your time, money, and possibly...

📍NS Nasi Kandar, Jalan Burma

Every Penangnite's TOP-RATED Nasi Kandar will vary; be it Line Clear, Beratur, Pelita, Hameediyah, etc..

As a local Penangnite, NS Nasi Kandar TOPS the list of my favourite Nasi Kandar joints. Ironical isn't it? It's a small shop, clearly not as known as the other stalls. But to me, it is THE BEST.. Haha.. I really really think it’s the best.

Operating for approximately 20 years already, I've been frequenting this Nasi Kandar stall since it first opened. Even the manager, a Muslim gentleman from India, has never changed. He's been there forever. Perhaps I've gotten accustomed to their style of Nasi Kandar. Oh well, let me as best as I can elaborate on my favourite dishes here.

🥘Firstly, the curries are AMAZING. Rich, consistent, flavourful.. Always ask for 'Kuah Campur', and ensure to include the 'Kuah Perut Kambing'. I'm not kidding, that 'Kuah Perut Kambing' is a killer; it's a personal favourite of mine that I haven't found any other stall being able to replicate. If you're a fan of 'Perut Kambing', then go for it.

🍗Then comes the Fried Chicken. Never failing in its crunch, I've always had it hot from the wok. The staff would smash the fried chicken with a cleaver, chop it into 3 pieces (It's really big), and you'd be able to see STEAM coming off from the tender flesh.

🌿And yes, their 'Sambal' always runs out quickly. It's not the typical shrimp-tasting kind of sambal, but rich herb mixture of onions and garlic and who knows what.. Whatever it is, it tastes amazing..

Other dishes that stand out are the Fish Eggs, the 'Ayam Madu', and the Curry Mutton.

It's a personal choice, and I stick with it; NS Nasi Kandar is my best Nasi...

When you think of Penang's NS Nasi Kandar for breakfast, the only thing that comes to mind is a thin flatbread made from a fermented batter primarily consisting of lentils and rice. On the outside, it resembles a crepe, but the emphasis here tends to be on savory flavors rather than sweet. Then you will be surprised to learn that the Arabian Peninsula and Southeast Asia, particularly Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and Bangladesh, are home to yet another type of stuffed pancake pan-fried bread (Mughlai paratha). Name and ingredients can vary greatly depending on where you live. "folded" is the Arabic word for "folded," which is used to describe a popular street food item in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Murtabak is often referred to as a spicy omelete pancake folded into a cylinder with a few pieces of chopped vegetables. Most murtabaks are made from pan-fried crepes stuffed with eggs, chopped leeks, chives, green onion and scallions, and minced meat, then folded and cut into squares. In this place, the texture and flavor are superior to Sedap! A well-kept secret in the area for the locals, I had no idea it existed before a friend told me about this place. The pieces of chicken were enormous! The chutney on the side completes the meal. NS Nasi Kandar 142-I Jalan Burma Georgetown Penang 10050 A must-try for breakfast and remember always practice physical distancing during...