Nasi Lemak Kaw Kaw, Kepong: From a Small 1989 Stall to a Modern Dining Space

We arrived just as the pulut panggang (grilled glutinous rice parcels) was being grilled, and the smell of charcoal smoke alone was enough to get us hungry. Nasi Lemak Kaw Kaw began as a small stall in 1989 and now operates from a modern dining space in the Kepong Sri Edaran light industrial area, with a recipe that they say has stayed the same.

The first must-try is the nasi lemak ayam berempah (with spiced fried chicken). The sambal is thick and rich, while the chicken is crispy outside but still juicy inside. If you want other sides, the nasi lemak here can be paired with kari ayam (chicken curry), sambal udang (prawn sambal) or rendang daging (beef rendang). There's also mee siam for those who don't want rice.

The second dish is the pulut panggang Terengganu. The glutinous rice is soft, and the charcoal-grilled flavour on the wrapping leaf adds an aroma that's hard to get from pulut panggang grilled over a gas stove.

The drink many come looking for is the Mega Kaw Kaw, a giant-sized drink made for sharing with friends or family. To finish, there's ABC (shaved ice) and cendol, great choices after all that spicy sambal, especially on a hot Kuala Lumpur afternoon.

Nasi Lemak Kaw Kaw is located at No. 84-G, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 13, Kepong Sri Edaran, Kuala Lumpur, and is open daily from 10am to 10pm. The shop can be reached at 012-932 2660.