Kitchenman Nasi Lemak

For my first post on #LastMealOnEarth, my good brother @adibeevince shared with me a nasi lemak place called Kitchenman located at CT Hub 2. I ordered the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah Leg and it ticks all the checkboxes of what a nasi lemak should taste. The coconut rice was fluffy and has the nice richness while the sambal was more on the spicier side which I actually prefer. The spiced fried chicken was juicy and flavourful with the aromatics. You can really go into a food coma after finishing this plate.

I am starting a new series where people share with me on what would their last meal on earth be if the world is ending in a few hours’ time. Do drop in the comments section if you would like to share your desired last meal on earth and I might go do a food review of it. It will be helpful if you can share details such as 1) dish name and 2) where I can get it in Singapore.

There seems to be something with Nasi Lemak in the Bendemeer / Lavender neighbourhood of the late. Wild Coco’s recent move from McNair Road to Hamilton Road might have been all the rage when it comes to the local Nasi Lemak scene here, but it seems that there is a new contender to the local F&B scene serving up Nasi Lemak that is located not too far away from CT Hub that is a short walk away from Bendemeer MRT Station on the Downtown Line. Opened in late 2023, Kitchenman Nasi Lemak had taken over the former premises of Locaba Bakery in the mall, and is neighbours with establishments like Adipoli Curry Pot. The entire set-up of Kitchenman Nasi Lemak seems to be close to what certain Nasi Lemak specialty stores attempt to be; a simple look with tiled walls and floors, but also featuring a half brick wall that segregates the counter from the dine-in space, while there is wall mural featuring coconut trees near the cutout window for order collection — the look can be said to evoke a modern Kampong-rescue vibe. Wooden furnishings are used for the dine-in furniture; the seats being cushioned to provide patrons with comfort. Much like most other establishments that have a focus on Nasi Lemak that had opened of the late, Kitchenman Nasi Lemak serves up the Malaysian-style Nasi Lemak that is influenced by that of Village Park Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — think local establishments like The Coconut Club, Wild Coco, Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak, Uptown Nasi Lemak etc. just to name a few; all that with an emphasis of having no pork, no lard, and no MSG in their offerings. Considering so, the menu comprises of Nasi Lemak sets featuring different types of meat options, as well as vegetables and sides that are food to share across the table. Choices of beverages include White Kopi, Asam Boi (i.e. preserved plum), tea, and canned drinks — just to name a few.

Since Kitchenman Nasi Lemak is an establishment that focuses themselves on their Malaysian-style Nasi Lemak offerings, it would be difficult for us not to opt for the Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah; basically the de-facto option to go for to experience this style of Nasi Lemak. It is interesting to note that Kitchenman Nasi Lemak does offer their patrons two types of chicken parts for their Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah — patrons get to choose between either breast or leg for their Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah, and our order was for the Leg; there are no price differences between the two chicken parts available for the Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah. Kitchenman Nasi Lemak does not describe the composition of their dishes in the menu; that being said, it is observed that the Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah Leg comes with the usuals — sunny side-up, cucumber slices, peanuts, anchovies and sambal aside from the Ayam Berempah Leg and Nasi Lemak. Excitedly digging into the Nasi Lemak here, the Nasi Lemak here is actually prepared using short grains rather than the Basmati grains that some establishments prefer. Still, the rice is considered to be light, soft and fluffy — there is a slight gingery note with the Nasi Lemak rice here that we usually are not too fond of, but the rendition here at Kitchenman Nasi Lemak does come with a good balance of coconut-y fragrance that compliments it just about right. It also went well with the sambal chili here; one that was just the right balance of sweetness and carries quite an evident hint of spiciness — the level of spiciness for the sambal chili here would do right for those whom are tolerable to moderate levels of spiciness, tingles the tastebuds yet without causing one to break into a sweat.

The Ayam Chicken Berempah Leg was also very well-executed; this is by far one of the most juicy and succulent chicken leg that we have come across with the Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah dishes that we have had thus far — not only was the exterior crisp with crispy bits that added on to the textural factor of the dish, but we liked how it carried a good hint of the spices used it the preparation process without having to be too salty nor heavy and yet comes with the juices of the chicken being locked in and not being particularly greasy. The proportion of the anchovies to peanuts were also well managed; almost on a 1:1 ratio with the anchovies being all crisp, and the sunny side-up was also on-point with its crisp brown edges and with a flowy egg yolk — tasted free from any undesirable notes of overused oil and was also not greasy. We also had the Hot Kopi; whilst priced at $1.80, the ceramic mug that replicated the shape of a classic enamel mug is pretty substantially sized — a little bit on the sweet side but does give a lot of bang for the buck. At $13.80, Kitchenman Nasi Lemak’s Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah Leg certainly impressed. While no doubt the price does seem a little steep for Nasi Lemak, but they are well-priced against other establishments that are run as an independent eatery that serves up Malaysian-style Nasi Lemak influenced by that of Village Park Restaurant in Malaysia. One can definitely taste the effort and passion that they have for Nasi Lemak through their offerings; each element seemingly having been perfected during the R&D process such that they present the very best for their patrons — the quality of their offerings do surpass some of those that have been doing the same that came before them. Definitely one name that is worth looking out for in the F&B scene; we wish the folks behind Kitchenman Nasi Lemak all the best in what is to come for their journey in the local F&B scene!