Best Monday morning breakkie is a Nasi Lemak treat at Say Yes Cafe in Damansara.
I found myself back in Uptown after a hiatus of 7 years.
The last time I was here was to eat—you guessed it—Village Park Nasi Lemak.
This time, I’m with my reluctant foodie, Theresa, a well-travelled lady who gets to know the lay of the land wherever she goes.
I’m, as usual, up for anything new!
And a Nasi Lemak breakfast with a good cuppa sounds like a great start to my morning.
Tucked just across from the south entrance of Starling Mall, Say Yes Cafe doesn’t scream for attention.
It sits on the same stretch as food heavyweights like Village Park and Hot Bird.
But don’t let its understated shopfront that boasts of Pulut, Rendang and Nasi Lemak fool you.
Despite being close to bigger names, Say Yes Cafe is carving its own loyal following—one Nasi Lemak at a time.
Peaceful Morning Vibes
Parking was surprisingly a breeze that morning.
Office workers shuffled past us, grabbing their kopi or quick breakfast before heading off.
Unlike my last visit to Village Park, this time, it was calm, quiet, and peaceful.
My last visit with Yim Mei and Jeannie in tow, dodging traffic and jostling for a spot in a nasi lemak feeding frenzy.
We entered Say Yes Cafe and got a table in the centre before switching to a cozier wall seat.
Soft light green walls, old-school tiles, and retro charm—this little kopitiam felt like a portal to the past.
There’s a serenity here you won’t get in overcrowded spots.
View this post on Instagram
Say Yes Cafe Menu
Theresa recommended the Nasi Lemak, Pulut, Sambal Sotong, and Chee Cheong Fun.
I ordered soft boiled eggs, roti bakar, and kopi—plus the classic Nasi Lemak.
Theresa went for the Nasi Lemak with Ayam Goreng Berempah and an iced kopi.
The Nasi Lemak arrived first, just under 10 minutes in.
Talk about efficiency!
Say Yes Cafe Nasi Lemak
Each plate came with fragrant coconut rice, ½ hard-boiled egg, crunchy cucumber slices, roasted peanuts and Ikan Bilis.
Where was a generous scoop of sambal.
Theresa’s plate stole the spotlight,
A golden-fried chicken leg (drumstick + thigh), fresh from the wok, steam rising as she sliced into it.
I missed the banana leaf pyramid packets from warungs, but this my plate held its own.
The rice? Not too heavily salted.
Cukup lemak.
Creamy, aromatic—but not cloying or greasy.
Just right.
Sambal Test
Now let’s talk sambal.
It’s sweet-spicy with a slight oil sheen—thicker than most.
But not overwhelming.
I loved how everything came together when mixed.
The rice, sambal, peanuts, and cucumber.
It has a layered bite that made me pause mid-conversation.
If you’re a sambal snob (I am), this one’s worth the mention.
Say Yes Cafe Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah
Say Yes Cafe Soft-Boiled Eggs
Worth a mention—my soft-boiled eggs came in a giant stainless steel mug, with boiling water, topped with a bowl and spoon like a secret treasure chest.
A little timer sat next to it, counting down from 9 minutes like it knew something I didn’t.
Fishing the eggs out was an adventure on its own.
Even more fun?
Realizing one of my fingers was oddly sensitive to heat—cue the eggy juggle dance.
I gave the shell a gentle knock, scooped the eggs out, and ahhh…
The whites were cooked and wobbly-soft.
Just the way I like it.
Soft-boiled eggs at Say Yes Cafe come hidden in a giant stainless steel mug—like discovering breakfast treasure one egg at a time.
Soft yolks and jiggly cooked whites—perfectly timed soft-boiled eggs.
Say Yes Cafe Roti Bakar
The roti bakar arrived two minutes before the eggs—well timed!
It was crunchy and well toasted.
That said, I would’ve loved the butter to be spread rather than served in slabs between the bread.
Still, a classic combo with the soft-boiled eggs.
Thick and Kaw Kopi
The kopi? Kaw. Thick and robust, the kind of brew that Penang kopitiams would nod approvingly at.
If I lived near Bandar Utama, Say Yes Cafe would be a regular breakfast haunt.
Final Thoughts
Say Yes Cafe may not have the buzz of Village Park, but it makes up for it with peaceful ambiance, efficient service, and genuinely delicious food.
The nasi lemak ticks all the boxes: fragrant rice, flavourful sambal, crispy and juicy fried chicken.
The menu is small but strong—ideal for breakfast, lunch, or teatime.
Expect to spend around RM15 per pax.
If you’re looking for a place to say yes to a good morning, you know where to go.
Say Yes Cafe
97, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 47400
Phone: +6011 1224 6192
Operating Hours:
Monday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday to Sunday: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Verdict:
- Fried chicken: fresh, crispy, juicy, with plenty of keriaoh.
- Nasi lemak rice: fragrant and not too salty.
- Sambal: thick, sweet-spicy, and satisfying.
Now that’s what I call a satisfying Monday morning start.
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from featured establishments. These are some of the recommended places that the editor visited while exploring Damansara Uptown.
My fav go-to place for a quick nasi lemak fix! Says the reluctant foodie
Thank you, ‘reluctant foodie’ with impeccable taste! That nasi lemak kopitiam really hits the spot. Looking forward to more of your makan recommendations — says Dory