If you've been following our blogs so far you'll know how much we LOVED Malaysia - for the culture and sights, for the friendly people, and for the incredible food! Over the course of just a few days we found and tried plant-based versions of Malaysian classics including Curry Mee, Char Koay Teow and Roti Cenai... as well as generally eating some very tasty food in Langkawi and Penang. So we had high expectations for the capital city: and what we found in Kuala Lumpur was even better than we had imagined! Of course, we were very keen to eat all the incredible plant-based food we found in KL, but we saved a very special Malaysian dish to try here. We knew, before we even left England, that we wanted to try an authentic, yet vegan, nasi lemak on our travels; moreover, we knew that we absolutely had to try it while we were in KL.
So tell us, what exactly is Nasi Lemak?
The national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak is often actually considered a breakfast dish - but it is so popular and versatile that it is eaten throughout the day too. In 2016 TIME magazine actually named nasi lemak among the most healthy breakfast dishes in the world!
The main component of nasi lemak is a dome or bed of white rice that has been slowly cooked in coconut milk, to make it rich and creamy. This rice is served with a spicy sambal: in fact, this sambal is a staple among the other, changeable range of accompaniments: peanuts and slices of cucumber are also frequently served. The traditional versions can include eggs, fried chicken, beef rendang, cockles and anchovies among the other side dishes. Obviously we didn't want to try these meaty versions, so we scoured Kuala Lumpur for a nasi lemak that contained all the flavour without the animal products!
Where did we try vegan Nasi Lemak in Kuala Lumpur?
We headed over to Minf Houze, a vegan cafe located within the Wisma Cosway building. We found the cafe up some escalators and around some corners, in a quiet area with a fantastic view of the city from the windows! The menu at Minf Houze includes a variety of noodle and rice dishes, set lunch meals and a huge drinks section: it's really easy to order too, using the order forms provided! This vegan cafe was really comfortable and welcoming: it was quiet when we visited for a late lunch, but I can imagine it would have a really lovely atmosphere during busy periods! As it was, we felt really relaxed, and the quietness gave us chance to chat to the really lovely staff working there, who were really friendly and passionate about what they do.
So come on - tell us all about the Nasi Lemak! How did it taste?
There is so much to say about this nasi lemak, but first of all I have to point out how neat the presentation was! The blue coconut rice, the individual portions of each of the side dishes, even the perfectly positioned papadums: it looked so good! This is Minf Houze's signature dish, and it's clear why, as well as why nasi lemak is so popular throughout the country.
This nasi lemak was like a savoury pick'n'mix for grown ups! I absolutely loved the sambal, which was sweet with a very spicy kick - it was so hot but I couldn't stop going back for more! Mike's favourite part was the vegan potato and coconut curry, which was served in a side dish. Honestly, everything on this tray was incredible: the roasted peanuts and the crispy mushrooms were great, and the papadums tasted so good, way better than the ones that we get at home in England! There were so many textures and flavours: even the cucumber, with its refreshing flavours, complemented the spicier elements so well! The coconut rice really bound all the elements together, with a fuller and more interesting flavour than plain white rice would: it was a delicious take on the traditional palate cleanser. I could talk for hours about this nasi lemak, and I could eat it again and again, it really was that good!
How much did this plant-based Nasi Lemak cost - and was it worth it?
We paid RM14.90 per portion for this famous dish (approx. £2.71, €3.07, or $3.38) per portion of this delicious, filling dish. This was such an incredible price! We were very, very happy with this and would advise anyone heading to Kuala Lumpur to make sure to stop by Minf Houze and give this nasi lemak a try!
Minf Houze is located at inside Wisma Cosway, at Cosway Guesthouse, Lot 3.20 & 3.21, 3rd Floor, 88, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The restaurant is open every day from 10am to 8:30pm, except for Sundays, when it is closed.
Have you tried vegan Nasi Lemak in Malaysia? Or elsewhere in the world! Where did you go and what did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.
Recommendations
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Where should I stay?
For a hostel vibe with a bit more luxury, check out La Vista. This place has a city view, an infinity pool, and a choice of sumptuous private rooms or small dorms.
1,000 Miles Hotel offer a quiet yet convenient place to stay with free tea, coffee, and amenities. This place has en suite rooms and a view of the Petronas Towers from the terrace.
Tours & Experiences
There's loads to do and see in KL, with Batu Caves and the Petronas Twin Towers among our favourite spots for sightseeing in the city. If you have a bit of extra time in Kuala Lumpur, why not head out to the stunning Cameron Highlands for the day? Or, if that's not for you, check out some of the top-rated Viator tours below!
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