Ayam berempah nasi lemak from Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Penang
I had read so much online that Burung Hantu Nasi Lemak is over-rated and “not good,” but I felt I had to try it for myself at least once.
My review here is based on my own experience, not others’ opinions.
For the uninitiated, Burung Hantu means owl in Malay.
This nasi lemak chain is famous in KL with several long-established branches.
In Penang, it opened in April 2025 with much fanfare and long queues that stretched around the block at night.
The location at Chulia Street, near the central fire station, made parking a challenge.
I saw many customer arrive by Grab as I circled the block several times when it first opened.
Contents
First Impressions and Queue
Inside Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu’s Penang outlet along Chulia Street
I dropped by around 11 am after walking over from Muntri Street.
Yes, there was a queue, but it moved quickly.
There was a couple and a family of five ahead of me.
The wait was about five minutes before I could place my order.
Menu and Pricing
All nasi lemak servings come standard with anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and an egg (fried or boiled) for RM9.40.
You can add extras depending on your preference.
I went for the ayam berempah at RM15.40.
Basmati Rice
Burung Hantu Nasi Lemak uses basmati rice.
Nasi lemak served with basmati rice at Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Penang
I remember Rauf’s mom used to tease me that for those who don’t like Basmati, they can have “Bashidup.”
It was a playful jab at premium versus ordinary folks like me.
I prefer the less-healthy, starch-filled version that soaks up the kuah perfectly.
In reality, for many of us Malaysians, fancy basmati rice only really works in nasi briyani.
In biryani, the long grains absorb aromatic spices, flavors, and moisture from the meat or vegetable curry while cooking over low heat in a sealed pot.
This process lets the rice develop its rich taste while staying fluffy and separate.
So us Penangites, we just love our nasi lemak the classic way.
Bold, comforting, coconutty, and super lemak.
Tasting the Nasi Lemak
At its core, nasi lemak lives in the rice.
Steaming hot, rich with coconut milk, and packed with that “lemak” punch.
What we got at Burung Hantu? Cold, hard, and flat.
The basmati grains didn’t carry much flavor.
The rice felt hollow, like a missed opportunity in every bite.
Honestly, some roadside nasi lemak at RM1.50 tastes better than this.
Or from the abg that sells Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah.
You can call it premium all you want, but making it fancy doesn’t fix cold rice.
Tradition wins every time.
Ayam Berempah: I only tried the ayam berempah, which felt under-marinated. I prefer ayam berempah that’s well-marinated, paired with sambal that’s both spicy and slightly sweet.
Sambal: A little too sweet and slightly watery; not enough to coat the basmati rice properly.
Ikan Bilis: Mixed quality—some crispy and halved, others long, hard, and tough.
Kangkong: Cold and oily, not enjoyable or complementary to the nasi lemak.
Personally, I prefer the classic without any green vegetables.
Not even cucumber slices.
And wrapped like a pyramid. LOL.
Overall, the mouthfeel was not entirely pleasant, particularly with the hard rice and tough anchovies.
While the ayam berempah had potential, it wasn’t enough to make me want to return.
Seating, Cleanliness, and Service
The interior looks nice, but all tables are square, making it uncomfortable for larger groups.
Tables weren’t fully clean, and I noticed flies near the wash basin.
Staff seemed a bit unfriendly, though perhaps they were just tired from serving the holiday crowd in Penang.
Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Atmosphere
The restaurant opens to busy Chulia Street, so it can be dusty, and noisy.
Compared to other best nasi lemak spots in Penang, where rice is always hot, Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu feels inconsistent.
Its flavors and service didn’t quite impress me.
For me, this nasi lemak is just average.
The basmati rice lacks the creamy richness I love.
The sambal is too sweet for my taste, and the ayam berempah is not as flavorful as I like.
There are many other nasi lemak options in Penang that offer better taste, texture, and service.
For me, this is a once-and-done experience.
Practical Info for Visitors
Burung Hantu Nasi Lemak
No. 2 & 4 Chulia Street (near the Beach Street end and central fire station)
Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 am daily (yes, right through the night, hence the “night owl” name!)
If you’re curious, it’s worth trying once to form your own opinion—but don’t expect it to surpass Penang’s best nasi lemak spots.
Final Note
There’s something special about our beloved nasi lemak.
I find that it is always the more affordable versions that surprise me with the most incredible flavor.
The hot, steaming rice in a red vacuum container.
That fiery red sambal that Kak always assures us is “tak pedas, merah saja” is what makes the experience truly memorable.
With a sambal that elevates the entire meal, everything comes together in a way that’s finger-licking good.
That’s how we eat our nasi lemak at home!
Eating the branded Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu reminds me that sometimes the best experiences come at a modest price.
As always food cooked with heart and warmth by the kakak in the market or mom tastes the best!
While others may love Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu, it didn’t impress me personally.
But that’s the beauty of food; everyone has their own favorites.
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, free meals, payments, or services have been received from any featured establishments. All reviews are based on the editor’s personal visits with friends while exploring Penang.
