Kampung Dining Signature — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

I first discovered this place from an online video promoting their pork ribs nasi lemak. Frankly I thought it was a little gimmicky and I wasn't that convinced but since I happened to be in 1U, I thought why not give it a try thinking that the impressive ratings can't stray too far from the truth, can't they? I came after lunch hours and there were hardly any people which was a stark contrast to a similar restaurant few walks away. Anyway, the decor of the interior looked cozy and spacious. The menu was rather extensive focusing on typical local dishes. We ordered their signature deep fried roasted pork ribs nasi lemak, rendang chicken nasi lemak, curry laksa with roasted pork, hot coffee and cendol gula melaka. The food portions were quite sizeable and presentation was good. The curry laksa immediately hit me with how intensely rich and thick the curry broth was and I liked how the fragrant bunga kantan cuts through the aroma of the spices. The roasted pork was delightfully crispy and while the meat wasn't melt in your mouth tender, it was still commendable. Keep in mind that this curry laksa can be too rich for those who prefers a lighter version. The nasi lemak came with a healthy whiff of coconut santan and pandan goodness but the rice was a tad little soggy. The sambal was thick in texture with good aromatic body and it was not the sweet kind. What impressed me was how tender the pork ribs were. The meat readily fell off the bones and the rempah was nicely balanced, leaving ample space for the palate to navigate about the other elements. Sadly I can't exactly say the same for the rendang chicken as I thought the flavors did not penetrate into the meat wholly. The meat was very tender but it will need to rely on the rendang gravy to stand out. We managed to end our meal on a good note with the gula melaka cendol which was a real delight. The strong aroma of the gula melaka in combination with the rich velvety santan made this dessert shine past the other ordinary cendols. Overall we were pleased with the food taste and quality here and I can say that the pork ribs nasi lemak is worth...

[Warning, lengthy review but hope you read till the end]

Wow honestly, I don’t know where to start. When I saw the menu, I knew immediately that the people behind this restaurant are the creators of Kampung Dining in Sec17 and I found their food pretty mediocre, sadly.

So at Lax Lax, let’s start with the good things first. The service is really good, staff is super attentive and the ambiance is a nice place I wouldn’t mind chilling with some friends.

Now onto the not-so-good stuff. I ordered the chef’s recommendation - apple rendang udon with chicken katsu. At first glance, the dish seemed interesting but after one bite, I have so many questions for the dish and myself for ordering it.

In a nutshell, the dish felt like it’s having an identity crisis. I read one review that said the kitchen is trying really hard to be different and I whole heartedly agree with this.

The udon was normal, chicken katsu is more flour than meat and this is the Japanese influence of the dish.

Moving onto the rendang sauce/cream, it was more on the creamy side. And I understand that rendang needs kafir lime leaves and lemongrass but it wasn’t the best eating experience, being paired with the udon noodles.

The apple part is a tiny rectangular shaped topping.

And lastly it came with a side of sambal and one piece of cut red chilli? Hands down this is probably the weirdest dish I’ve ever tasted. (Just my humble opinion)

The dish actually came with a free drink, soup, free veggie and jelly. The free drink of the day was green tea so nothing much to say, the soup was alright but too salty in my opinion. The free veggie: black bean paste tofu was again a weird pairing for the rendang udon. And the jelly was probably the only decent thing for my palate.

So the big question is would I come back? I would only if my friends suggest this place so I’ll go along with their idea. When that time comes, I’ll go with the usual basic nasi lemak to be on the safe unadventurous side.

I sincerely hope their other dishes taste better and are less weird than what I...

[Pork Ribs Berempah Nasi Lemak] 🔥🍖🍛 The presentation is outstanding, and the generous portion of pork ribs is truly impressive! The star of the dish is undoubtedly the steaming, fragrant Nasi Lemak, rich with coconut milk aroma that tempts with every bite 🤤. The pork ribs are expertly deboned and fried to a perfect crisp, and the accompanying sides complement the dish flawlessly. The eggs clearly reflect a careful selection of quality ingredients, and even the crispy anchovy-peanut crackers are delightfully crunchy. Not to mention, the heaping plate of sambal delivers an extra spicy kick that chili lovers will absolutely adore 🌶️🔥!

[Chicken Satay] 🍢 A special shout-out goes to the chicken satay, which completely redefined my expectations! The pieces are large, juicy, and grilled to perfection—never dry—paired with a unique, house-made satay sauce that adds layers of flavor with every bite 🤩.

[Mini Cendol] 🥤 However, the eagerly anticipated Cendol was slightly disappointing. The Gula Melaka (palm sugar) flavor seemed to lack its usual depth, and the texture was a bit off, leaving a somewhat odd mouthfeel 😕. A smoother consistency would undoubtedly enhance both its appearance and taste 👌.

Overall, this restaurant offers exceptional value for money 💯. The owner’s meticulous attention to ingredient quality and masterful cooking techniques are evident in every dish—even the smallest sides are executed with care 👏. Additionally, they serve alcohol, mainly beer 🍺, making it a fantastic spot to unwind with friends after work!

Highly recommended for any true food enthusiast looking for...