As usual, some customers were already waiting outside before Mana Lagi nasi lemak shop in Taman Perling was opened. That "empty" table on the right was already "choped" (reserved) by me with my haversack and water bottle.
Once the boss pushed the green iron shutters apart, the scramble begins :-D It was the same scene when I first visited Mana Lagi nasi lemak three years ago.
Customers help themselves at the cabinet on the left (facing the shop), where the freshly cooked food is laid out in large steel serving trays. The aroma of freshly fried food filled the air.
The line to collect your plates of nasi lemak with sambal chili and cucumber slices. Many customers were taking away in bagfuls.
Bring your nasi lemak and finger licking good food back to your table and enjoy street side dining with your family, Malaysia style. The boss will come around with his wad of little white paper slips to total up the bill and collect payment.
(The lady in that flowing long red blouse in the background walking to her car was one of many take away customers.)
Now, back to the food cabinet. What's in it?
There is beef rendang - the most unappetising looking delicious food - one of my favourite dishes to eat with rice :-D
Fried spongy beef lungs won't be winning any beauty awards either ;-D But, I love it.
Sambal chili quail eggs in bamboo skewers :-D
The menu and prices of all the food are clearly displayed on the wall (2015 prices).
Our first plate with sotong sambal, beef rendang, beef lungs and fried chicken gizzard piled on top of the nasi lemak cost slightly less than RM10 (2015 price).
Sotong sambal or chili squid (RM2.50).
Rendang daging or beef rendang (RM3.50).
Tender and moist aromatic beef which was stewed in spices and coconut milk for hours till all the flavours were infused into the meat.
The sambal chili was mainly sweet and spicy with anchovy flavours. I can eat the whole plate of rice with this sambal chili alone.
Our second plate :-D Also slightly less than RM10.
For ayam goreng (fried chicken at RM3 per piece), I was hoping to get a juicy fried chicken leg as it is my preferred part. But, there was none, so we settled for chicken breast.
We needn't fret because this fried chicken breast was very delicious. The outside had a thin crispy layer with savoury spicy marination. The white flesh was moist and tender, and still have a nice natural chicken sweetness.
Next time, I wouldn't mind this fried chicken breast as a first choice at Mana Lagi :-D
The ikan selar kuning (RM3 each) was fried till the meat was dry, slightly rubbery and fibrous. With the savoury spicy marination, it's like a natural piece of fish cracker.
Make sure you get this curry vegetable (lontong sayur RM4.50). It's one of the best out there :-D
->> We always enjoyed our nasi lemak at Mana Lagi. This is one of JB locals' favourite places for nasi lemak. Where else, but Mana Lagi :-D
Read about my first visit to Mana Lagi three years ago ^ click on photo above 👈 click
Restaurant name: Restoran Mana Lagi
Address: 569, Jalan Persisiran Perling 1, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Map: http://g.co/maps/82m3b
GPS: 1.480779, 103.684576 / 1°28'50.8"N 103°41'04.5"E
Hours: 6:00pm to Midnight (Closed on Friday)
Halal
Date visited: 4 Apr 2012, 6 Dec 2015
Where else in Johor can we get good nasi lemak with lots of side dishes?
👆 Click to return to JB Best 100 page
Its not in JB but on your next visit to Pontian try the nasi lemak stall near Telekom (Jln Syawal).
ReplyDeleteThe nasi lemak is as simple as can be but the side dish not to be missed is the sup kambing.
I am quite lost for words here to describe the taste, but try it yourself one day and let us know.
Thank you JohorMali. I will definitely visit this shop.
DeleteWent for dinner last night. Lontong sayur was fresh and delicious. Nasi lemak ok. However very thirsty afterward
ReplyDelete