NALE - The Nasi Lemak Company, Central Icity — Restaurant in Shah Alam

Perhaps my expectations was unnecessarily high or maybe the restaurant was having an 'off-day' but all I can say is that I was disappointed. I walked in and followed the usual covid-19 protocols. I ordered the ayam-goreng berempah, with the additional pineapple sambal with an iced tea, kurang manis. I paid upfront rm27.90 I think and found my table.

The iced tea arrived in a wonderful copper mug allowing it to be kept cold for a longer period. Unfortunately the tea was terrible. It was unbelievably light that one could hardly taste the tea. And of course it was too sweet!!!!

I took it back and told them the problem and requested that they add more black tea to it. My nasi lemak arrived a bit later, but without the pineapple sambal. The usual sambal was there, in an extremely small jar. Certainly insufficient for a plate of nasi lemak. But I preferred to wait for the former. And waited. And waited some more. I walked up to the counter and enquired of it and the reply was that 'she' was making it. On closer inspection I noticed that 'she' was prepping other plates of food. I asked her when would the pineapple sambal be ready?? She wasnt happy with the question and walked away in a huff.

Oh! Well. I walked back and began to tuck in. The chicken was disappointing. It was more KFC styled, albeit darker but without the supposed 'rempah'. I think a proper marinade would be in order. Much of the chicken was left unfinished. No complaints about the ikan bilis, nuts, cucumber and the egg.

The pineapple sambal finally arrived. Similarly to the chicken, pieces of pineapple are added to a random sambal. Without pineapple pulp or pineapple juice added to the sambal. So it isn't truly a pineapple sambal. Adding apple chunks to sambal would not similarly make it an apple sambal. I think you can see where I'm going with this.

So overall it was a disappointing visit. But I suppose if you walk in without expectations it might...

One of the best Nasi Lemaks I’ve eaten!

Was looking for random breakfast places here in Central i-City since it was a Sunday morning and as I was walking around with my family, I saw this place and decided to go in for a quick breakfast. I wasn’t expecting much since it was going to be a quick stop but boy was I surprised!

They have a lot of Malaysian dishes but of course I ordered their main and specialty which is the Nasi Lemak itself and it is very well-made as you can very well taste the ingredients there combining together in that one plate – The rice, the sambal, the nuts, anchovies were all cooked perfectly not to mention the aroma.

The Nasi Lemak Ayam Bakar came with a chicken dish as condiment and I definitely didn’t expect the ayam bakar to be so tender, soft and rich with cream. It came in a curry-like percik paste which tasted like Rendang and the chicken being so tender, smooth, and boneless, just divine!

The Indomie is also very good albeit a little spicier than estimated but still quite scrumptious, it came with poached egg which mixes well with the mee’s spicy sting and you can even mix it with sambal for an extra kick, superb!

Ordering process is contactless whereby you’ll need to just scan and order from the menu online which removes the hassle of talking to the staff, and food time arrives fast too, although it may be because my family and I were the only beings there in the morning, it might be different for other periods.

There are so many nice dishes which they serve that I’d wish to try but didn’t manage to as I came unprepared and unplanned but man, I can’t wait to go back here and try some other dishes too.

Awesome food, good job NALE team, I am definitely coming here for group...

Let me be blunt. I honestly can say that I'm not sure how or even why this place gets as much stars and highly rated by others. Sure I understand that we all have different taste buds. But the fried rice feels standard. Just like a simple soy sauce fried rice. Doesn't taste special. It just do its job.

But for an ayam goreng berempah that's actually false advertisement at best (it's literally a chicken chop with just spices bumbu thrown in), I'd say it's a pretty big offense. Imagine if a foreigner first experience of eating an ayam goreng berempah is this? I definitely won't be angry if the foreigner lost interest in our local cuisine because of this dish.

The sambal is pretty average too. Me myself I definitely prefer hotter sambal, but of course I can appreciate a good sambal even if it's not that hot. Problem is, this sambal ain't it chief. A nasi lemak place to not even have a good sambal is an oxymoron, is it not?

At this price point (1 dish is around RM19.90), it is definitely disappointing to say the least since it's not even on the good range. It's just okay-ish / average at best. And for a nasi lemak place, that's just sad. If I do have to suggest a similar place for nasi lemak within this price range, I would probably suggest Pappa Rich's nasi lemak ayam goreng berempah. Way, way better taste. Good sambal and at the very least a proper fried chicken. Not this faux fried chicken chop

But for better nasi lemak, just eat at a local warung. Better food with way cheaper price....