Nasi Bamboo Sungai Klah • Sungkai — Restaurant in Perak

Mixed Experience: Original Malaysian Cuisine with Room for Improvement

I recently dined at this restaurant that left me with mixed feelings. Here's a breakdown of my experience:

The food was undeniably delightful, boasting a wide variety of dishes. The highlight was the rice prepared in bamboo containers, adding a unique touch to the meal.

What stood out was the originality of the Malaysian cuisine served. It truly felt like an authentic culinary experience.

However, the dining setup was unconventional. While it offered the freedom to select your own dishes, akin to a buffet, they were prepared on a plate before your eyes. I find the price was quite expensive as well.

Unfortunately, the ambiance was a letdown. The lack of adequate ventilation made the place uncomfortably hot. The outdated fans did little to alleviate the heat, and it's disheartening that this issue hasn't been addressed for years.

Another downside was the prevalence of flies. Flies, flies and flies, everywhere. It raised concerns about food hygiene, considering the open display of dishes throughout the day.

Despite the presence of waiters, their role seemed limited to handling payments and serving food at the counter, rather than actively assisting diners.

Accessing the drink counter proved to be inconvenient due to its distance from the dining area.

The restroom facilities left much to be desired. Despite multiple visits, the lack of improvement in their size and condition was evident.

Hygiene was also a concern with the flat, horizontal sinks leading to clogging issues, possibly due to food residue left on hands after washing.

Overall, while the food quality remained consistent, the lack of improvement in key areas such as ambiance, hygiene, and customer comfort was disappointing. Despite being a repeat visitor, recent experiences have left me...

Not saying out of spite and actually went out of curiosity emanating from the various comments from visitors to this place. The place is certainly overrated and overpriced. This is just one of those food joints which has grown from possibly their humble beginnings to become a bigger place to accommodate a growing demand for their products but unfortunately has had to compromise on the quality of their products given the need to mass produce. Nasi bamboo is probably their signature product but the rest are just run of the mill products and sold at inflated prices. Grilled section on the right will set you back for almost RM30 for two measly pieces of skate (pari) and RM12 for a medium sized mackerel (kembong). Found nothing special in rice cooked & enveloped in the same leaf used to cook lemang - the famous glutinous rice. On the left were vegetables, gravy and chicken, beef etc. When it becomes too successful then inevitably labour becomes an issue and so we had Indonesian and Bengali blokes attending to our needs in a most unenthusiastic manner short of being rude. For four heads having a nothing special lunch, we got hit almost RM120. Is that the going rate for a decent lunch? Guess it's the price for a learning curve but one could have better value elsewhere in a smaller joint along the sungkai bidor corridor. Reminded of a similar joint in temerloh exploiting the seemingly popular patin tempoyak delicacy by setting up a huge outlet to cater for huge numbers of hungry travelers. Sometimes when you grow too big the original flavour ain't there no more. Sorry...best wishes but...

If you’re looking for a lunch spot that serves amazing Malay food, Nasi Bamboo Sungai Klah in Sungkai is where you need to be. This Halal restaurant truly nails it when it comes to flavor and variety. From grilled fish and chicken to a whole spread of delicious Malay dishes, the options are plenty and will leave you spoilt for choice. The portions? Generous. The quality? Absolutely top-notch.

One of the standout things here is how convenient they make it for customers. Most dishes are already plated, complete with price labels, so you can easily keep track of your bill—no surprises at checkout. Sure, some dishes might feel a little pricey, but for the quality and taste, it’s worth it.

The atmosphere is inviting with a nice setup and plenty of tables. Whether you’re dining in with family (baby chairs available, by the way) or grabbing food to-go, the experience is seamless. The staff? Oh, they’re great—polite, friendly, attentive, and they welcome you with warm smiles that make you feel right at home.

Parking is a breeze too, with ample free space available. Just a heads-up though, when it gets crowded, it can feel a little warm, but honestly, the food makes up for it.

If you’re anywhere near Sungkai, Nasi Bamboo Sungai Klah is definitely worth a visit. Bring your...