Jom Makan! Nasi Padang @ Restoran Sari Ratu, Desa Pandan, KL

Salam,

Today we decided to eat out for lunch instead of cooking. We wanted something Asian, basically rice and everything else but not entirely Malaysian Malay food.

So where should we head now?

Yup since we were terribly hungry we decided for Minangkabau cuisine from Sumatra, Indonesia. We chose Restoran Sari Ratu, located at Desa Pandan that offers Authentic Nasi Padang.

The exact address is:

No. 26-28, Jalan 4/76C, Desa Pandan, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel.: 03-9285 8811

We were welcomed by trays and plates of dishes at the entrance.

Golden-fried Fish. Haha aren't they adorable to be displayed like this? =)

The dining area. No change whatsoever be it the exterior or interior since the first time I came here years ago. Ayah used to bring us here quite a lot on weekends but seriously, no changes at all till now. I like restaurants to have improvements on the decor thru time.




Still the dining area. Check out the potrait of Minangkabau house back there..




There are two things sacred to the Minangkabau people. The Adat Perpatih Custom and their Padang recipe. Very much agreed. FYI my mother's ancestors originated from Bukit Tinggi, Sumatra so though my father is from the Bugis line however I feel much more as a Minang. My mother's older family members still speak pure Minang dialect and we still have many relatives in Bukit Tinggi. My mother and sister visited them once but not me yet. I love the Padang cuisine of Nasi Padang and I am very proud of our natural taste buds to super spicy and hot dishes. Hotter means better. =)


Ok people, now let's join us for lunch. Oh yes FYI, the traditional practice of Nasi Padang restaurants are in Indonesia, the waiters and waitresses will have this amazing balancing technique where they will pile up the dishes plates on one or both arms and bring it to your table. Thus your table will be full with different types of dishes but you just eat the ones you want and they will calculate the ones that you have touched once you are done. However at Sari Ratu here, you just go to the sort of buffet line at the entrance and choose the ones you want and you may add up order when you dine as well.



My sister Deena ordered the traditional Padang beverage, the infamous Jus Alpokat (Avocado Juice) RM 6.50. One thing you should know about any type of fruit juice and gravy at Nasi Padang restaurant is supposed to be SUPER, DUPER, UBER THICK. As much as it tastes really unique and nice, personally I never ordered this because I don't think its quite thirst-quenching due to its super thickness.

A close up of Jus Alpokat. See how thick and creamy it is?

Sirap Markisa (Passion Fruit Cordial). RM 5.00. I just ordered plain water at RM 0.50.

Ikan Lele (Fried Catfish). In Malay we call it Ikan Keli Goreng, another must have. RM 4.50. As usual I just love the Sambal Lado (Chili Paste).

Sambal Goreng Hati (Chicken Liver Fried with Chili Paste). RM 6.00.

Ayam Gulai (Chicken in Gulai Gravy). RM 6.50. One of the tastiest, true Minang delicacy.

Traditional chili paste of Padang cuisine. Sambal Ijo (Green Chili Paste or in Malay is Sambal Hijau). Super uber delicious eaten with hot rice but the crazy thing here it is priced at RM 3.00 at this restaurant which is crazy for mere chili paste. Nevertheless have to have it or else our Nasi Padang would not be complete.

Gulai Kikil RM 8.50. Ummi calls it Gulai Daging Tetel, which is the softer parts of beef cooked in Gulai.

Nasi Putih (White Rice) RM 1.50. Honestly, the cone-shaped idea of a rice is not a very bright idea for the consumers since the portion would be so little you have to order for extra rice if you are very hungry. Seriously the actual size looks much smaller than in the pic.

Nana nomming.

Ummi nomming.

Cah Kangkung (Stir-fried Kangkung) RM 5.50.

Ayam Spesial or Ayam Pop (Special Chicken or Pop Chicken) RM 6.50. Another true Minang specialty, the very crispy fried herbs and spices as the condiment is just a unique experience for the taste buds.

Es Teler RM 7.00. Only available at Minang cuisine restaurants. A milky, creamy, yummy (of course!) sweet dessert consists of coconut flesh, avocado, jackfruit, sago and buah kabung. Best eaten cold with lots of ice.

Just love the combination of the bright colours.

Usually for dessert we order one and share among the three of us.

Ummi trying it.. so far so good.

Except on the part that the avocado was no longer fresh. Thumbs down!

Nana smirking glancing at the avocado.

Alright to sum up the experience of dining here, personally we think that the prices could be RM 1-1.50 cheaper on every dish since the restaurant has not even smell any renovation since the first day it has opened its doors to the public. The decor shows no spirit of the owner to spend more money for the customers' delight of comfort, I mean even the chairs are still the same ones. Come on! Even Mamak restaurants keep improving their interior decor as time flies. Further more Sari Ratu does charge 5% Service Charge and 5% Government Tax. Yes, RM 3.00 for Chili Paste? Too much.

Anyway if you still like to try it out, the food is authentic Minang cuisine (no watered down gravy) and the service is OK and quick. Besides the branch here, you may also try the one at Bukit Bintang and Subang Parade.