Tucked into LG-34B, Central i-City Shopping Centre (Persiaran Multimedia, Seksyen 7), NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company bills itself as a modern reimagining of Malaysia’s national dish — air-conditioned, halal-certified, with table service and a menu that runs from a RM7.90 classic bungkus-style plate to a RM45+ lamb shank nasi lemak.
Founded by a team passionate about elevating nasi lemak beyond the roadside stall (their tagline: “putting nasi lemak on the world food map”), it’s a polarising spot — loved by families and mall-goers for the comfort and consistency, critiqued by purists for the price-to-authenticity ratio.
Either way, it’s one of Shah Alam’s most talked-about nasi lemak destinations.
Located in iCity Mall in Shah Alam, NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company positions themselves as a premium nasi lemak from 3 focus points: food quality, ambience, and hospitality at an affordable price.
This restaurant is proud to introduce their unique NALE sauce, Gulai and 6 different sambals to satisfy any cravings!
The service and interior is splendid – with orange lights creating a warm atmosphere.
NALE is a Malaysian creation with a dream to serve the best Nasi Lemak in the World that fills the tummy and satisfies the heart.
First Impressions & Ambience
NALE’s interior is warm and contemporary — wood-grain tabletops, hanging pendant lights, open kitchen pass where you can see rice being fluffed and chicken grilled.
It feels more like a café-bistro than a hawker stall; the background playlist is mellow indie-pop.
Service is friendly and relatively attentive by mall F&B standards — they’ll explain the menu if it’s your first time and check in halfway through.
It gets busy on weekends and public holidays (i-City is a major leisure draw), especially 12:30 – 2:00 pm and 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Wait times are rarely excessive thanks to the mall’s turnover.
High chairs available; good for families.
The Rice
Fluffy, Premium-Grade Santan
NALE makes a point of using short-grain rice steamed with fresh (not UHT) coconut milk and pandan, and it shows — the grains are fluffy but clump just enough to feel substantial, with a clean coconut aroma that’s present but not heavy.
It’s less santan-drenched than Wanjo’s and less separate-grained than Ujang Corner’s kukus — somewhere in the middle, intentionally crowd-pleasing.
The Classic Nasi Lemak (RM7.90 – RM9.90) comes with a hard-boiled egg (you can upgrade to poached/onsen egg for ~RM2), cucumber, ikan bilis, peanuts, and sambal.
Rice portion is fair for a café plate — lighter eaters will be satisfied; big appetites should consider the premium mains which come with extra rice or side carbs.
The Sambal
Sweet-Onion with Asam Backnote
NALE’s house sambal tumis is onion-sweet with a medium chilli warmth and a faint asam jawa tang — it’s not the dark, savoury-sour Ujang style nor the fiery Kampung Baru type.
The sweetness is balanced enough that it pairs well with the richer proteins (ayam bakar, lamb shank) but sambal purists sometimes find it a touch too sugar-forward or occasionally asam-dominant on off-batches.
They offer Sambal Hijau (green chilli sambal) as an add-on (RM2.90 – RM3.50) — tangy-pickled rather than fiery-fresh — for those who want more heat.
Ask for extra sambal if you like it — they’re usually happy to add a dollop.
Signature Mains & Lauk
RM18.90 – RM20.90. Char-grilled boneless chicken thigh marinated in a house spice blend, served with NALE’s signature percik-style sauce (creamy, spiced coconut gravy with a hint of tamarind).
RM39.90 – RM45.90. Slow-braised lamb shank in spiced coconut-tamarind gravy, fall-off-the-bone tender on good days.
Drinks & Extras:
The drinks menu goes beyond standard kopitiam — expect Cendol NALE (with gula Melaka ice cream on some versions), Iced Bandung with Condensed Milk, Teh Tarik Kaw, and fresh lime / plum juices.
The cendol is a worthwhile closer if you have room. Coffee is café-grade rather than kopitiam — slightly pricier but more refined.
Location & Hours
NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company at Central i-City, Shah Alam — a modern halal casual-dining concept that brands itself as a “gourmet nasi lemak” spot with premium proteins like lamb shank and ayam bakar with NALE sauce.
| NALE The Nasi Lemak Company | |
|---|---|
| LG34-B Central i-City, No1 Persiaran Multimedia i-City, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor. See Google map. | |
| 010-206 3010 | |
| 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | |
Practical Tips:
• The restaurant is located inside the main i-City mall concourse near the SnowWalk / Red Carpet zone.
• Parking: i-City has multilevel paid parking — validate if applicable or use the basement lots. Weekends / holidays = packed; arrive before 12:15 pm or after 2:00 pm for easier access.
• Pro Tip: The Ayam Bakar + NALE Sauce combo is the safest bet for first-timers. If you’re a sambal lover, ask for extra — the default portion is modest. Lunch sets sometimes include a drink; check the promo board.
Verdict
NALE isn’t trying to replace your favourite roadside stall — it’s offering a sanitised, halal, family-friendly version of nasi lemak with premium protein options and café comfort.
The rice is well-executed, the NALE ayam bakar sauce is genuinely good, and the lamb shank is a fun splurge.
The sambal won’t convert heat-seekers and the price point is 2–3× a traditional stall — but if you’re at i-City with family, want air-con, and fancy a nasi lemak that feels a cut above food-court grade, NALE delivers a consistent, modern Malaysian meal.
⭐ Rating: 3.8 / 5.0 — Best for: i-City mall-goers, family lunches/dinners, halal casual dining, nasi lemak with premium proteins (lamb shank/ayam bakar).
