Tucked into the heritage heart of Kampung Baru at 45A, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Gerai Pak Hassan is one of those rare KL institutions that feels frozen in time — in the best way possible.
Family-run for generations, this humble roadside stall is equally beloved for its fluffy roti canai with signature chicken feet curry and its self-service nasi lemak with that distinct Kampung Baru character.
If you want the real flavour of old KL — minus the tourist gloss — this is where the queue starts forming before 8:00 am.
Gerai Pak Hassan at Kampung Baru is the place to get a plate of delicious nasi lemak!
You know you’re getting a plate of delicious nasi lemak when every seat is taken at Nasi Lemak Pak Hassan. To increase your chances, it is recommended that you visit this stall during off-peak hours to avoid the breakfast and lunch crowds.
When you get there, start off with the crowd-favourite nasi lemak, which you can enjoy with a side of ayam rendang, sambal sotong or ayam goreng berempah.
If you have an appetite for more, Pak Hassan also serves really good roti canai.
When you savour these dishes one after the other, you’ll know this humble eatery in Kampung Baru is worth queuing up for.
First Impressions & Ambience
Forget air-conditioning and industrial-chic décor.
Pak Hassan’s is a classic Malay gerai with plastic chairs, zinc roofing, and a shady courtyard that feels more like someone’s extended front yard than a commercial eatery.
The vibe is unhurried and neighbourly — Pak Hassan himself sometimes mans the roti griddle and will greet you with a handshake after you pay.
Weekend mornings mean a proper queue (separate lines for roti eat-in, roti takeaway, drinks, and nasi lemak), but it moves efficiently.
Seating is limited and mostly outdoors under the trees — come early for a spot in the shade.
Cash is preferred; some QR payment options exist but don’t count on it.
The Nasi Lemak
Fragrant & No-Frills
The nasi lemak here is served self-service style: you’re handed a plate of piping-hot coconut rice (fluffy, santan-forward but not cloying), topped with the standard accompaniments — ikan bilis, roasted peanuts, sliced cucumber, and a small mound of kangkung (water convolvulus), which is a nice, crunchy addition you don’t always get elsewhere.
The rice itself holds its own — fragrant with pandan, each grain distinct.
It’s not as rich as some heavy-hitters, but it provides a clean canvas for the lauk and sambal.
Base nasi lemak kosong typically runs RM4–RM5, with lauk priced separately (RM3 – RM7 range depending on choice).
The Sambal
Tangy, Sharp, and a Bit Sour
Pak Hassan’s sambal is a talking point.
Unlike the dark, sweet-caramelised sambal at Wanjo or Ujang Corner, this one leans tangy-sour with a sharp chilli bite — some say it has a faint hint of asam or belacan funk.
It’s not a crowd-pleaser for everyone (especially if you expect a sugary KL-style sambal), but regulars who appreciate old-school, less-sweet preparations tend to love its assertive personality. Ask for extra if you’re game.
Lauk Pilihan (Side Dishes)
• Sambal Sotong — Tender squid in a spicy-tangy sambal that mirrors the loose, punchy style of the house sambal. A top pick.
• Ayam Goreng / Ayam Rendang — The fried chicken is decently crisp though not heavily battered; the rendang varies by batch — some days it’s beautifully reduced with spice crust, other days milder. Solid but not the headline act.
• Telur Mata / Telur Rebus — Standard sunny-side-up or boiled egg to round things out.
• Kari Kaki Ayam (Chicken Feet Curry) — Technically the roti canai’s partner in crime, but you can order it on the side with nasi lemak too. More on this below.
The Real Star: Roti Canai + Kari Kaki Ayam
Even if you come for the nasi lemak, you owe it to yourself to try the roti canai with kari kaki ayam.
The roti is freshly tossed — slightly thicker and softer than Mamak-style, with crisp edges — and the curry is thin-bodied, turmeric-bright, and simmered with tender chicken feet that give it a subtle gelatinous richness.
It’s an acquired taste for the uninitiated, but for many KL-ites this is the reason to queue.
Roti kosong + kari kaki ayam is roughly RM3.50 – RM5.
Also available on rotation: Lontong Sayur and Soto Ayam with house-made begedil — both excellent if you want a break from rice-and-sambal.
Location & Hours
Gerai Pak Hassan (Warung Pak Hassan) at Kampung Baru, KL — a legendary breakfast spot famous for its roti canai with chicken feet curry (kari kaki ayam) and its old-school nasi lemak.
| Gerai Pak Hassan Kampung Baru | |
|---|---|
| 45A, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Google map | |
| 017-223 7871 | |
| 7:00 am – 1:00 pm (Closed on Monday) | |
Practical Tips:
• Hours: Tue–Sun, ~7:00 am – 1:00 pm (often sells out earlier on weekends). Closed Mondays. Verify before going, especially during Ramadan or public holidays.
• Parking: Limited along Jalan Raja Abdullah; consider Grab / LRT (Kampung Baru LRT station within walking distance) on weekends.
• Queue Strategy: Weekdays are calmer. If coming in a group, split duties — one secures seats, one queues for nasi lemak, one for roti.
• Seating Tip: Sit toward the back/garden area if you want to avoid the sambal-cooking steam near the cashier counter.
Verdict
Gerai Pak Hassan isn’t trying to reinvent nasi lemak — it’s preserving a slice of Kampung Baru breakfast culture.
The nasi lemak is honest and satisfying, the sambal has real character, and the roti canai with chicken feet curry alone justifies the trip.
Come for the food, stay for the kampung-in-the-city atmosphere and Pak Hassan’s warm handshake on the way out.
⭐ Rating: 4.1 / 5 — Best for: traditional breakfast hunters, roti canai devotees, Kampung Baru heritage food trail.
