4 Malaysian makan places where queuing up is part of the experience

How do people know when the food is good? There was a time word spread through word of mouth. But, eateries get viral almost overnight through social media posts and exposure. Food is something that Malaysians will go all crazy about. We are willing to brave time and weather if the food is deemed DELICIOUS! You’ll be able to see a string of people lined up for hours just to taste food.

All it takes is for one social media posting to make a place go viral. But in most cases it’s temporary. You’ll come to realize that most stalls/restaurants lose the line after the fame has died down. But, we have come across some of the eateries that still have a line outside even after decades of operating.

1. Ah Lek Chee Cheong Fun

Teluk Intan is famous chee cheong fun and by far this is one of the most famous places. This is not the usual thing that you see at stalls or hawker centers. The chee cheong fun is made of silky thin rice flour skin and filled with prawns and soy sauce. It is packed with flavors but does not come with any sauce.

The chee cheong fun can become rather oily and cloying, but it is still absolutely tasty. It is served with a side of pickled green chilies. People come from all parts of Malaysia and are willing to line up for at least 40 minutes. What makes people come back for more? The texture is smooth, it almost melts in your mouth and they aren’t stingy with the filling. People buy chee cheong fun packets in large quantities.

Address: 19, Jalan Pasir Bedamar, Pekan Teluk Intan, 36000 Teluk Intan, Perak.

2. Line Clear Nasi Kandar

The shop, started in 1930 by brothers S. N. Sekandar and S. N. Seeni Pakir, has thrived over the years, despite its position in an alleyway and pricing that have remained fixed for almost a decade. It is a long-covered alley near the intersection of Jalan Penang and Jalan Chulia. To date, you’ll be able to find a stream of people in the cramped alleyway lined up just to savor this nasi kandar.

It is not only frequented by tourists but you can also see locals enjoying their meal here. Zainul Halam Abdul Hamid, the current proprietor, is Seeni Pakir’s son, and his own children and nephews work for him, taking orders and wiping tables in shifts throughout the shop’s harsh 24-hour schedule. Regardless of the time, you will always see a line outside the shop. During peak hours the wait can be at least 30 minutes.

Address: Beside 161 & 177 Penang Road, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang

3. Nasi Lemak Beratur Maluri

Next, we don’t have to explain much. The name of the nasi lemak stall itself is self-explanatory. Located right in front of 7-Eleven at Taman Maluri, they only start operating at 4 am. But, nasi lemak enthusiasts are willing to get in line from midnight!

They serve up a lip-smacking array of side dishes to go with the nasi lemak. Make sure to check their Facebook page for updates on their operating hours. Apart from nasi lemak they also sell fried rice and bihun.

Address: 211, Jalan Perkasa 1, Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4. Jonker 88

If you are someone who loves a good bowl of cendol, do NOT miss this place when you are in Malaka. This is one of the most famous restaurants in Melaka. Located right in the middle of  Jonker Street they serve one of the richest cendol, sago gula Melaka and laksa Nyonya. Their laksa Nyonya is super rich and jam-packed with flavors. It has the right mix of spice and sweetness. The broth itself is rich with coconut milk, but not to the point where you feel jelak. When you reach the location there’s a high chance of you seeing a long queue in front of the shop.

Apart from being a well-known makan place in Melaka, the shop lot itself is a time capsule museum. You’ll be able to see old Baba-Nyonya pictures framed on the walls of the premises. If you go on a weekend or school holiday be prepared to wait in the sun for at least 40 minutes. That’s how good they are (at least for me lah!)

Address: 88, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

Social Media Made Them Femes

In recent times two nasi lemak vendors have gone viral on social media. If you guys are on TikTok, you might have come across BangSudu RM1 at Coalfields, Sungai Buloh, and Akka Nasi Lemak which is located at Puncak Jalil.

5. SuduBang, Abang Nasi Lemak RM1

Yes, you read that right! Despite the rising prices, this nasi lemak seller who is known as Bangsudu maintains his prices at RM1 per nasi lemak bungkus. He took it to his Twitter account to explain the reason behind this pricing because not everyone can afford the rising prices now.

Despite the nasi lemak priced at RM 1, it is still served with anchovies, fried groundnuts, egg, sliced cucumbers, and generous amounts of sambal. If you are anywhere near Desa Coalfields, Sungai Buloh; go support him.

Address: 6FJQ+49M, Desa Coalfields, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor

6. Akka Nasi Lemak

Last but not the very least, this akka went viral on TikTok recently. She became femes for her nasi lemak and sambal which tastes like home-cooked food. And from what we have seen on people’s videos, the helping is quite generous. She starts business at 6 am but, but people are willing to get in line as early as 3 am just to get a packet of this nasi lemak.  

What makes it special? Apparently, there’s no Santan in her nasi lemak. She also serves up nasi pandan. All it took was one TikTok video that got her famous, although she’s been selling in the same spot for quite some time. Now, she sells up to 600 packets of nasi lemak in a day, and the throng of people doesn’t seem to stop. In her recent TikTok video, the Akka said that she is being assisted by a Chinese aunty who lives around the taman where she sells her nasi lemak.

Address: Akka Nasi Lemak, 122, Jalan PUJ 3/2, Puncak Jalil, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor

You don’t need the aesthetics or an Instagrammable setting to maintain the line. From what we have seen, especially with the old timers is that they’ve maintained the quality of the food. They’ve never compromised on the taste, and that has kept people going back and not minding waiting in line no matter how long it takes.