Ol' Skool Makan #7: Nasi Lemak Tanglin -- Still The One

 

I first started eating at Nasi Lemak Tanglin back in the mid-’90s, when I worked at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. Back then, we didn’t talk about “heritage food” or “authentic experiences” -- we were just hungry young legal eagles (chewah!) looking for a good breakfast before work. A quick drive past the Lake Gardens, a whiff of sambal in the morning air, and we’d already be queuing under the trees for that unmistakable plate of nasi lemak that somehow made everything right with the world.

Those days, you actually ate in what could best be described as a dodgy bangsal. But even then, the food was pure magic. The sambal -- not-too-thick, slightly sweet, and fiery enough to jolt you awake -- might be an acquired taste for some, but I’ve loved it from day one. The side dishes were (and still are) generous: sambal sotong, paru goreng, ayam goreng, and rendang daging that taste like they’ve been perfected over generations. These days, the place has been spruced up into a proper food court area and looks better than ever, but it hasn’t lost its soul.


The crowd has somewhat changed -- office workers now mix with cyclists, families, and food vloggers -- but the taste, thankfully, hasn’t gone anywhere. If you’re new, start simple: nasi lemak with sambal sotong, paired with a glass of teh tarik. Sit under the fan, soak in the chatter and clinking plates, and you’ll feel that old KL rhythm coming alive again.


Nasi Lemak Tanglin has been around since the 1940s, when it started near the Tanglin Hospital area before settling at its current spot. From a modest roadside stall to an institution, it’s a story of resilience and flavour that’s now part of Kuala Lumpur’s culinary DNA. 

And as I sit there now -- older, maybe a little slower -- I can’t help but smile. Because while so much of the city has changed, the taste of Nasi Lemak Tanglin never did. Some things really don’t need an upgrade.


About Ol' Skool Makan

Ol' Skool Makan is my little tribute to Malaysia’s timeless eateries -- the ones that fed us before hashtags, food apps, and fancy plating. It’s about real food, real people, and memories that still smell like sambal and kopi-O.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dapatkan buku 'Kisah Hidup & Budaya Pop Anak Gen-X' di SINI

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Japanese WW2 Soldier Who Found Islam In Malaya

Image
I’ve just watched In Search of the Unreturned Japanese Soldiers  in Malaysia ( 1971 ), and it’s one of those documentaries that stays with you long after it ends. Famed director  Shôhei Imamura sets out to find Japanese soldiers who never went home after World War II, choosing instead to remain in Malaya . The search feels awkward and unfinished, which somehow makes it more honest. History, after all, rarely wraps things up neatly. The most memorable figure is “ A-lee ”, a former Japanese soldier who stayed on and later embraced Islam . Listening to him speak about the religion — quietly, sincerely, without drama — is unexpectedly moving. Who would have thought that after war, defeat and displacement, a Japanese soldier would find peace in Islam? There are no easy conclusions here, no grand moral lesson. Just the reminder that when wars end on paper, lives continue in all sorts of unpredictable ways. Some people return home. Others don’t. And sometimes, in the aftermath, they...
Read more

Ross Ariffin Meninggal Dunia

Image
 Innalillahiwainnailaihirojiun. Ross Ariffin was the one who gave me my first real break in songwriting -- he opened the door for my lyrics to be sung by local artistes. I got to know him through his ex-wife, who happened to be my editor when I first started freelancing. Our first project together was an album he produced for a newcomer, Ira Khairani. I wrote lyrics for three of her songs -- not bad for a rookie at the time. I also had the opportunity to write lyrics for one of his compositions for Fauziah Latiff. Ross later introduced me to Edwin of SRC, who signed me on, and that eventually led to me writing for Siti, Liza Hanim, Aqasha, and others. Ross was a brilliant producer and a classically-trained musician. I first noticed him when he won a regional songwriting competition, and later he cemented his name in the industry by winning Anugerah Juara Lagu with 'Kau Dan Aku'. Semoga ditempatkan di kalangan orang yang beriman.
Read more

Ol’ Skool Makan #3: Haji Shariff Cendol -- A Sweet Legacy Of Seremban

Image
I won’t miss this one -- not a chance. Every time I’m in Seremban , Haji Shariff Cendol is a must-stop. It’s conveniently near Jalan Nunis , so much so that I’d always snap a photo of my bowl of cendol and send it to my friend Graig Nunis -- just for the fun of it. Along with that, I’d order the rojak , because really, what’s a perfect bowl of cendol without its savoury, nutty partner in crime? The history here goes way back. The late Haji Shariff Haji Dolman started selling cendol around 1930 , pushing his cart around the streets of Seremban before finally setting up shop in town. His recipe was simple but unforgettable -- smooth shaved ice, thick creamy coconut milk, rich gula Melaka , and those trademark bright-green cendol strands made fresh daily. The business has since passed through generations, but that old-school taste still hits the spot every single time. The outlet itself remains charmingly no-frills. You queue, you order, you get your bowl, and for a few blissful minut...
Read more