In terms of Malaysia’s staple dish (nasi lemak, in fact), everybody has their favorite spot. However there’s one nasi lemak in Damansara Utama that many locals will unanimously agree is their go-to spot, and it’s none-other than Village Park Restaurant.
It’s so beloved that I’ve a pal from Singapore who hails Village Park Restaurant as his nasi lemak holy grail— having it as much as 3 days per week at any time when he travels all the way down to Malaysia. Some even takeaway the nasi lemak again to Singapore!
Village Park Restaurant isn’t just common with vacationers and locals. In reality, a line of well-known Malaysian personalities frequent this place, together with Malaysian badminton star Lee Chong Wei, squash queen Nicol David, and previous Malaysian Prime Ministers from Dr Mahathir, to Abdullah Badawi and Najib Tun Razak.
It’s very simple to identify this restaurant— there’s a continuing stream of GRAB drivers ready to gather the orders and there’s at all times a queue. In reality more often than not, I might go for a takeaway as a result of getting a desk right here takes fairly an effort.
What I attempted at Village Park Restaurant
Essentially the most well-known dish to have right here is the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng (RM12.30).
I bear in mind after I was first launched to Village Park Restaurant’s nasi lemak. The server introduced out the plate of Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng to the desk and holy moly… it was the most important piece of ayam goreng berempah I had ever laid eyes on.
Quick ahead 5 years later, the whopper of a rooster nonetheless takes my breath away, particularly with the sight of the additional bits of crunchy spice scattered on prime of the rooster.
What makes the ayam goreng berempah so particular? Each buyer will get an entire rooster leg marinated and deep fried in spices similar to lemongrass, turmeric and ginger. It’s crunchy, juicy, has a light-weight crispy crust and bursts with the fragrant flavours of contemporary herbs and spices the second you chunk into it.
A typical order of nasi lemak with fried spice-marinated rooster will even embrace groundnuts, ikan bilis (crisp-fried anchovies), slivers of contemporary cucumbers, half a hard-boiled egg and a beneficiant portion of their signature sambal.
This sambal is freshly ready on a regular basis and leans in the direction of the sweeter profile somewhat than spicy. That is the place my disappointment kicks in— coming from Penang, I benefit from the kick of a spicy sambal with crispy fried anchovies.
Nevertheless this candy tasting sambal tends to be a standard incidence in eating places in Klang Valley. That is one thing I nonetheless haven’t gotten used to. Nevertheless, if you happen to want your sambal to be much less spicy, then you definately’ll be happy with the oneat Village Park Restaurant.
Anybody would inform you that one plate of Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng is greater than sufficient to tide you until dinner however my insatiable urge for food had a dying want: why not strive the Ayam Rendang (RM6.90)?
Fortunately I used to be given a rooster thigh as a result of one other complete rooster leg would have undoubtedly taken me out. Simply the heavenly scent of the rooster blanketed within the luscious fatty rendang gravy assured that I had made the best resolution.
The style of the piping scorching rooster rendang combined with the gravy and rice cooked in coconut milk was merely a healthful mixture.
Upon evaluating the two kinds of rooster, my extremely controversial opinion could be that the Ayam Rendang was the tastier of the 2. However then once more, maybe it’s because I’m very acquainted with the style of their ayam goreng berempah or that I felt the Ayam Rendang was so flavourful and tender. I go away it to you, pricey readers, to resolve.
Last ideas
In conclusion, would I crown Village Park Restaurant as having the very best nasi lemak in Malaysia? Possibly if the sambal was a bit spicier, sure. However you’ll actually get your cash’s price for the portion that’s served.
Oh and a little bit heads up… if you happen to’re planning on tucking into the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng for lunch, belief me you’ll be in for a little bit siesta proper after.
