Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar at Cheras — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

Service was so-so. Initially, the servers were attentive to take orders but were not sensitive later on to notice tables whose meals were not served yet. I can live with that. But after 10-15 mins waiting for my mamak mee goreng (RM8 without any meat), I needed to approach the servers 3 times before finally getting my dish cooked and served. The restaurant was only around 20% full, as it was before 11am between breakfast and lunch. I've even tried to be understanding and see if there were food delivery riders waiting... not many in sight.

Those who are in charge of preparing the food has a lot to learn about getting it done on time, or at least telling the servers to manage the expectations of waiting customers.

Food = 3/5 stars because it is generic - not good, not bad. To get a higher rating, use more ingredients like vegetables which are super cheap if you can't even give more tofu beyond the two pieces in my dish. If I add RM1 more, I can get a bowl of wantan noodles that comes with leafy veg, meat-shrimp wantan and roasted meat. Eating at this restaurant is not cheap - compared against gerai or warung that offers better quality, portion and value. The pics show an empty plate as I was too hungry.

Service = 2 stars because of the above reasons.

Atmosphere = Okay, as in average. Has baby chairs, clean setting. To get higher rating, invest in ventilation systems to avoid the smell from the kitchen to linger around IF you continue to charge at premium prices. Otherwise, no problem as I'm used to mamak smell and second hand bau rokok all my life if seated outdoors.

Overall, 3 stars. Average, serviceable if hungry. Will I come back? No, got no incentive to do so as I'll get better value and service at gerai bawah pokok (nasi lemak + telur goreng + daging rendang = RM8 also). I'm not insulting this established business. Surely Kayu has loyal customers who return regularly, so Kayu must have done something right for them. But for not, this is my very...

I've been a regular at Nasi Kandar Kayu, drawn in by their exceptional signature nasi kandar that rivals the flavors of Penang. Usually, I opt for takeout as the restaurant is always busy.

This time, I decided to dine in and explore their menu beyond nasi kandar. The mi goreng mamak, however, left me with mixed feelings. While the taste was passable, the portion seemed a bit small. The unique plating stood out, setting it apart from other mamak restaurants. My wife opted for the roti puri, which, too, landed in the "average" category.

The prices here lean towards the higher end, a reflection of its location in the well-developed Permaisuri area. However, this upscale setting comes at a cost, especially when it comes to parking. The limited space and narrow roads, often compounded by double-parked vehicles, made finding a spot a challenge.

Despite the varied menu offerings, I've come to realize that Nasi Kandar Kayu's true expertise lies in its namesake dish. The signature nasi kandar continues to stand as the shining star, reminiscent of Penang's finest. While the other dishes left room for improvement, I believe I'll be sticking to their acclaimed nasi kandar in...

My husband and I recently visited during brunch time and ordered 2 pieces of roti canai on one plate, and 1 piece of roti kahwin with 1 piece of roti canai on another plate. The food was delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed the taste. However, we found that the gravy portions were too small for the amount of bread we had. It would be great if the gravy could be doubled, especially for orders like ours, to enhance the overall experience.Unfortunately, our enjoyment was interrupted by outside sellers who repeatedly approached us while we were eating, asking if we wanted to buy their products and food. This constant interruption was quite bothersome and detracted from our otherwise pleasant dining experience. We hope that in the future, there can be better management of outside sellers to ensure customers can enjoy their meals...