Hidden in a back lane behind Maybank on Jalan 21/11b, Sea Park (SS21), Nasi Lemak Bumbung has been a Petaling Jaya supper institution for over 20 years.
The name “Bumbung” (roof) is a nod to its origin — a stall literally set under a shop lot’s overhang with no proper ceiling.
Today it’s a slightly more organised open-air setup with banana-leaf plates, plastic chairs, and a constant haze of frying aromas, but the spirit is unchanged: fast, unfussy, and centred on that uniquely spiced fried chicken.
Nasi Lemak Bumbung at Sea Park, Petaling Jaya is a popular go-to place for late night cravings.
Tucked in the back alley behind Maybank in Seapark, Nasi Lemak Bumbung offers a nice atmosphere unlike any other — consider this a hippy ‘mamak’ if you may.
It is mandatory to have its nasi lemak and fried chicken, paired with the spicy and aromatic sambal.
The most significant component in the nasi lemak is the runny yolk on its side up fried egg.
Placed on a banana leaf, the fragrance of the rice is enhanced while the dish is accompanied by its juicy fried chicken and sweet and spicy sambal.
First Impressions & Ambience
This is as street-level as KL / PJ dining gets — a narrow lorong with rows of red plastic tables, overhead bulbs, and the rhythmic sound of chicken hitting hot oil.
It gets loud and crowded from 7:00 pm onward, especially on weekends when the supper crowd rolls in after movies or mamak rounds.
The queue moves fast: you order at the counter (or a runner takes it if you’re seated), food lands in under 10 minutes.
Ventilation is open-air but it can feel warm during peak hours.
Hygiene is functional — don’t expect sparkling stainless steel — but the turnover is high and the food is hot.
Cash preferred; QRPay available at some counters.
The Rice
Light, Fragrant, Pandan-Forward
Bumbung’s nasi lemak rice is steamed with coconut milk and pandan — lighter on santan than Kampung Baru’s Wanjo, with fluffier, more separate grains.
It’s deliberately modest in portion (around RM2 – RM3 for plain rice, RM6.50 – RM9 with ayam goreng + telur mata), which encourages ordering extras rather than overwhelming the plate.
The subtlety lets the sambal and lauk take centre stage.
A standard plate comes with a sunny-side-up egg (not the usual hard-boiled — a nice touch), cucumber slices, ikan bilis, and peanuts.
The Sambal
Tangy-Sweet with Onion Crunch
The sambal is a talking point — looser in texture than a traditional thick sambal tumis, with visible sliced shallots/onions and a noticeable asam jawa tang.
It leans sweet-sour with mild heat that builds gently rather than a chilli-burn punch.
Some purists find it too runny or too sweet; fans appreciate the balance against the rich fried chicken.
It’s not a “pedas” challenge — it’s a flavour-accent sambal.
Ask for extra if you like it — they’re generous.
The Star
Ayam Goreng Berempah “Muruku Style”
The real draw is the Ayam Goreng Berempah — marinated in a blend of Indian-Malay spices (fennel, cumin, coriander) and coated in a craggy, gram-flour-type batter that many describe as tasting reminiscent of muruku snack.
The coating fries up shatter-crisp while the thigh/drumstick meat stays juicy.
It’s distinctly different from Village Park’s turmeric-only style — more aromatic, spicier in the rempah sense, less yellow.
You can request thigh or drumstick; thigh is the crowd favourite.
This alone justifies the trip.
Other Things to Order
Location & Hours
Lemak Bumbung (Bumbung Nasi Lemak) at Sea Park, Petaling Jaya — the iconic late-night alleyway stall famous for its muruku-spiced ayam goreng berempah and sweet-sour sambal.
| Nasi Lemak Bumbung | |
|---|---|
| 6, Jalan 21/11b, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Google map | |
| 017-370 35766 | |
| 5:00 pm – 02:00 am | |
Practical Tips:
• The stall is tucked in the back lane behind Maybank / HSBC, accessed via the parallel service road.
• Parking: Limited along Jalan 21/11b; evenings are tough. Many park at nearby commercial lots (Starling is ~5-min walk away) or Grab in. Take-away has a separate queue — faster than dine-in.
• Pro Tip: Go 4:30–5:30 pm for a quieter first seating. If queuing to dine in, don’t block the takeaway counter — they’re separate lines.
Verdict
Nasi Lemak Bumbung isn’t trying to be refined — it’s PJ’s quintessential late-night alley experience.
The coconut rice is light and fragrant, the muruku-spiced ayam goreng berempah is genuinely distinctive, and the tangy-sweet sambal grows on you with every scoop.
Come for the chicken, stay for the lorong atmosphere, and leave with oily fingers and a full belly.
It’s not for the hygiene-anxious, but for lovers of unpretentious Malaysian street food, it’s an essential PJ rite of passage.
⭐ Rating: 4.0 / 5 — Best for: supper hunts, ayam berempah fans, PJ late-night food crawls, first-timer street-food experiences.
