Tucked into a corner lot at Dataran Pandan Prima, Ampang (Kampung Pandan side), Nasi Lemak Saleha has been a fixture of the east KL food scene since the late ’80s.
Run by the matriarch Kak Saleha, it’s a halal-certified, family-friendly restaurant that bridges old-school kampung charm — banana-leaf-wrapped nasi lemak bungkus — with a full dine-in spread of rendang, sambal sotong, ayam goreng, and even Asam Laksa on rotation.
It’s less of a hipster hunt and more of a reliable, multi-generational neighbourhood institution.
Nasi Lemak Saleha is a hidden gem in Ampang.
Its owner Kak Saleha has been in the business for over 30 years – the restaurant has been at the same spot in Kampung Pandan since it started, with its second outpost in Sri Rampai.
Nasi lemak Saleha, really kampung style nasi lemak. Not only that, the taste of all the dishes are also tasty.
It is famous for its rendang chicken, as well as a mean sambal that goes perfectly well with its fluffy coconut rice.
First Impressions & Ambience
Saleha operates out of a converted shoplot / warehouse-style space with basic tiled flooring, ample fluorescent-lit seating, and a cafeteria-style lauk counter.
It’s cleaner and more spacious than a roadside stall — good for families and groups — though the open layout means it can get warm during peak lunch (12:30–2:00 pm) or weekend breakfast hours.
You queue at the display case to pick your lauk, collect your pre-plated nasi lemak or order the bungkus version separately, then pay at the cashier.
Service is generally brisk but can slow during GrabFood/FoodPanda peak periods — takeaway often moves faster. Prayer space (surau) is available on-site, which is a thoughtful touch.
The Rice
Fluffy, Coconut-Rich & Pandan-Aromatic
The dine-in nasi lemak rice is steamed with fresh coconut milk and pandan — fluffy with a slight clump, more santan-noticeable than the dry kukus style but not as heavy as Wanjo’s.
It’s fragrant without being cloying, and the grains hold together just enough to soak up sambal.
A standard dine-in plate (RM6.50–RM8) comes with a hard-boiled egg, cucumber, ikan bilis, peanuts, and sambal.
But the real magic is the Nasi Lemak Bungkus Daun Pisang — the rice is wrapped in banana leaf (not just newspaper/plastic) and left to steam a little longer, imparting that grassy, herbal aroma that sets it apart from mass-market bungkus.
The bungkus portion is modest (RM2.80 – RM3.50 base), designed to be eaten 2–3 at a time or paired with lauk.
The Sambal
Mild-Sweet with Gentle Kick
Saleha’s sambal tumis is onion-sweet with a mild chilli heat — approachable rather than punishingly spicy.
It has a slight caramelised shallot depth and a glossy, loose texture that coats the rice nicely.
It’s not a dark, savoury-sour Ujang Corner type nor an asam-forward Pak Hassan style — think crowd-pleasing KL-style sambal that leans sweet-warm.
Ask for extra if you’re a sambal person; the staff are usually happy to add a spoonful.
Lauk Pilihan (Side Dishes)
The Signature — Chicken pieces (usually drumstick/thigh quarter) braised in a coconut-spice paste until the gravy reduces to a dark, fragrant crust.
The meat stays tender and the rendang has a balanced warmth — not blow-your-head-off spicy — with discernible cinnamon/clove notes.
Slower-cooked beef rendang; tenderness varies by batch (early morning/evening tends to be fresher).
The berempah version has a visible rempah coat (coriander, cumin, turmeric) and is crisp-edged when fresh.
Beyond Nasi Lemak
Saleha also serves Penang Asam Laksa, Mee Rebus Johor, Nasi Kunyit with Chicken Curry (popular for breakfast), and Lontong Sayur — handy if you’re dining with someone who wants noodles instead.
The kuih-muih spread (pulut inti, kuih lapis, bahulu) is decent and changes daily.
Teh Tarik and Kopi O Kaw are standard kopitiam fare — ask kurang manis.
Their Air Asam Boi / Air Limau Ais cuts through the sambal’s sweetness nicely.
The ABC/cendol is acceptable but unexceptional — order it more for tradition than as a destination dessert.
Location & Hours
Nasi Lemak Saleha at Dataran Pandan Prima, Ampang — a well-established Malay-style nasi lemak restaurant run by Kak Saleha for over 30 years, famous for its banana-leaf-wrapped nasi lemak bungkus and signature rendang ayam.
| Nasi Lemak Saleha | |
|---|---|
| 3, Jalan Pandan Prima 1, Dataran Pandan Prima, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor.. See Google map. | |
| 017-747 0100 | |
| 7:00 am – 12:00 am | |
Practical Tips:
• Parking: Dedicated lot in front of the restaurant — relatively easier than Kampung Baru or PJ Sea Park, but fills up weekends 8 – 10 am and 12:30 – 1:30 pm.
• Pro Tip: Go for the bungkus daun pisang even if dining in — it captures the old-school aroma better. Rendang ayam is best ordered early before the lunch rush depletes the fresh batch.
Verdict
Nasi Lemak Saleha isn’t chasing Michelin stars or Instagram hype — it’s a dependable, family-run east-KL staple that nails the fundamentals: fragrant coconut rice, a crowd-pleasing sambal, and a standout rendang ayam that’s earned its following over three decades.
The banana-leaf bungkus alone is worth a detour if you appreciate that old-school kampung touch. Come for the rendang, stay for the unpretentious warmth of a place that’s fed generations of Ampang folks — and don’t forget the extra sambal.
⭐ Rating: 4.0 / 5 — Best for: family breakfast/lunch runs, rendang ayam fans, banana-leaf nasi lemak bungkus hunters, east-KL food trail stops.
