The reward for waking up early on a Saturday morning is the pure joy of eating Village Park Nasi Lemak.
When Fish Frens Steph and Jeannie suggested, the smile that broke on SmartDory‘s face was brighter than the yellow of a sunny side egg.
We all have our ideal weekend mornings. Mine is eating!
What Happened On My Nasi Lemak Morning
What happened is this.
I slept late and got up past 9 AM.
Damansara Uptown was a chaotic mess, packed with vehicles
Going to a tag team of three seems to work out best.
Our driver dropped us off.
One went into the restaurant proper; the third stood on the pavement eyeballing other customers.
There was a mental mantra that went. “Finish and leave.”
By now, I should have known; it DOESN’T work.
Steph rang from inside the restaurant. “Quickly, I hoarded a table!”
It is with such glee that we regrouped and ordered.
I felt dizzy.
The restaurant was packed, and new customers were doing the mental mantra.
Ouch!
Village Park Nasi Lemak Restaurant
Village Park Restaurant’s tables spill beyond the five-foot way into car parks, with walkways and steps always packed.
I have never seen the restaurant empty.
6 Tips on Getting a Table During Peak Hours
Getting to Village Park Famous Nasi Lemak is a planned operative.
I had to learn this during peak hours on a Saturday morning so that you can go at odd hours!
Here are the Tips (I learned the hard way)
#1 Wake up early (this means no rolling around and snuggling in the comforter with air-cond. humming merrily)
#2 Leave the house at the appointed time. (no Stations of the Cross at various parts of the house before getting into the car together)
#3 Get into the car and drive
#4 Find a car park (this one needs heaps of luck, prayers, and steely determination!)
Good parking skill helps enormously, as Damansara Utama (Damansara Uptown) is always congested.
#5 Don’t let the crowds deter you. You will EAT NASI LEMAK today!
#6 A good plan is to go in a group of 3 minimum.
One parked the car.
Another stakeout on the pavement. The last one stakes out in the restaurant.
The restaurant is in 2 shop lots.
It would help if you walked through a human wall to get to the vast seating area.
Smart Dory waited 10 minutes to get this clear shot of the cashier line and Ayam Goreng station.
Lots of seating areas if you can find an empty table!
Village Park Nasi Lemak – Sweet Sambal Success
Going local is the best way to eat.
We got all the plans in place.
Shared a long canteen-style table at the back, and Steph ordered.
When Jeannie arrived, the food was at our table in 10 minutes.
Village Park Restaurant gets the order out speedily and maintains good taste no matter how packed.
[Updated 23 May 2023]
Jaya Grocer now sells the bottled Village Park Ready-to-Eat Nasi Lemak Sambal 225g for RM17.90
Village Park’s Ready-to-Eat Nasi Lemak Sambal: Image: Jaya Grocer
What to order other than Nasi Lemak?
You must order fresh hot from the fryer crispy fried chicken.
The Malay fragrant rice dish, Nasi Lemak Kukus (steamed rice), is cooked in coconut milk and flavored with pandan leaves. Nasi Lemak is a Malaysian national dish.
This is what Malaysians can and will eat Nasi Lemak for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper!
They serve a delicious mound of white rice with a halved hard-boiled egg, fried Ikan Bilis, peanuts, and cucumber slivers.
But it’s the blood-red sambal that packs the punch!
Sweet, with a hint of tamarind sourness, it slowly tingles your lips and tongue with its chili heat.
The sambal is spicy but never overpowers the fragrant rice.
We stick to basics.
Village Park Restaurant Menu
Village Park Nasi Lemak Menu
Village Park Nasi Lemak Drinks Menu
Village Park Nasi Lemak with A Whole Crispy Fried Chicken Leg (Thigh & Drumstick)!
Village Park Nasi Lemak is one of the best I’ve ever tasted!
I highly recommend anyone who hasn’t tried it to visit, takeaway, or order through Grab Food.
Almost every table has the same order—Nasi Lemak with the Best Ayam Goreng.
The chicken is juicy, delicious, and perfectly crispy with just the right amount of fried batter.
Village Park Restaurant Signature Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng. Image: Village Park Restaurant Facebook
Alternatively, order the equally popular Nasi Lemak with Cuttle Fish.
The cuttlefish is chewy and soft without being rubbery.
We got one each and a Soto Ayam with Bee Hoon.
The reward. Village Park Famous Nasi Lemak with Ayam Goreng. Photo: Doris Lim
Village Park Nasi Lemak with Sotong Photo: Doris Lim
Village Park Restaurant’s Soto Ayam with a robust broth. Photo: Doris Lim
Side Dishes for your Nasi Lemak
The Village Park Nasi Lemak goes well on its own.
I think it suffices.
But if you need side dishes, you can order from the tantalizing full spread
- Gulai
- vegetable dishes
- Ikan Goreng (fried fish)
- Sambal Udang (prawns)
- mutton
- fish head curry.
An extra piece of Ayam Goreng (fried chicken) would be a tasty side dish for me.
Who needs side dishes and Malay Kuihs? I need more stomach space, seriously! Photo: Doris Lim
Village Park Restaurant Malay Kuih
Like all excellent Malay eateries, Village Park Restaurant has a delicious selection of Malay Kuih Muih.
You must get in early to get your hands on those deep-fried bits of dough I love.
The hard-to-find Cucur Badak is a prize I savor.
Fat balls of crispy deep-fried dough pucks stuffed with spicy chili-coconut stuffing.
The mark of a perfect Cucur Badak is its badge of honor of a single prawn.
The nicest Nasi Lemak were all sold out when I crawled out of bed with one eye open.
We got our hands on two banana leaf-wrapped coconut gluttonous rice cakes.
They topped it with a delicious plump ball of Gula Melaka-infused sweet coconut stuffing.
The best order is Village Park Famous Nasi Lemak with Malay Kuih for desserts for early birds. Photo: Doris Lim.
What Else To Order?
Jeannie’s friend recommended the Roti Bakar with homemade Kaya.
The toast was crisp and sliced so thinly.
The coffee was strong but not at all bitter and not too sweet.
Smart Dory and friends are digging in. Photo: Doris Lim
Village Park Nasi Lemak Review
Over the years, Village Park Nasi Lemak has maintained its reputation for consistently excellent food and speedy service, with countless positive reviews.
I’ve heard the Lontong and Assam Laksa are just as mouthwatering. The mention of Malay Kuih Muih alone makes me want to set my alarm an hour earlier on weekends.
I can’t wait to enjoy an authentic Malaysian breakfast at Village Park’s Damansara Uptown again!
Do you love Nasi Lemak too? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s chat about your favorite spots!
Village Park Restaurant (Malaysian Halal Restaurant)
Address: No. 5, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Hours: 7.00 AM to 5.30 PM (Mon to Fri) 6.30 AM to 5.30 PM (Sat & Sun)
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
This is such an amazing post ! Really detailed, I felt as if I was there with you and your friends. So much recommendations as well and thanks for the heads up on how to conquer the parking and table seating.
Hi MasaMasak
Yes, the Nasi Lemak is so totally worth getting up in the mornings for. I also follow you posts and would love to find out your take on making this national dish on your blog! Love the name of your blog. Masa (Time) Masak (to Cook) that’s absolutely Brillant!
Cheers
Dory
Hi Dory !
I’m honoured that you read my posts. Thank you again for the compliments . I also read your blogs and they are literally mouth watering!! Makes you wanna get up and drive to that place instantly.
Keep on swimming, Dory! You are the greatest adventurer out there in the vast ocean.
That’s so funny MasaMasak, we Malaysians have such a lively supper culture that we think nothing of drinking across town for our food fixes. With your good healthy food recipes, I hope to be able to eat healthily 5 days a week. At the very least and binge on the weekends like all true blue Malaysians.
Food looks delicious, amazing. I am super hungry right now.
Hi Radha, I feel the same way. Sometimes when I upload my own food photos late at night, I get really hungry too! LOL