“You have reached your destination” says Waze. Looking out, you’ll see the bold but fluid letters spelling out the word “Sembang” perched above a corner lot located at the end of a quiet street.
This is Sembang – an unassuming cafe but the only one in the area dedicated to serving home-cooked meals that’ll transport you back to your childhood where all feel-good memories of mom’s heart-warming cooking reside.
Aptly named Sembang, a Malay word used by all and sundry that means “to chat”, this cafe is the best place to catch up on gossip over a hot and satisfying meal.
Speaking to FMT, Elaine, one of the directors of Sembang said, “We just want people to come, sit and ‘sembang’. It’s a word anyone can relate to, and we just want people to sit here and talk for long hours, and not take their phones out.”
Traditional, home-cooked dishes are the central theme of this cafe, and the people behind Sembang believed in the concept strongly enough to put generations-old recipes once kept in the family, on Sembang’s menu.
Expect old-time favourites like Nasi Lemak and Ayam Percik but with a twist. To preserve the authenticity of the dishes, kitchen staff insist everything is cooked on the spot and served hot from the wok.
“You won’t find any pre-cooked meals here, that’s not our style. In addition to that, the team makes sure our dishes are only cooked with the freshest of ingredients,” Elaine explains with pride.
She explained that Sembang fills a gap in the market, providing the business community in the vicinity a chance to relax during their lunch break with wholesome dishes at affordable prices.
Thoughtfully put together, Sembang’s menu caters to even the most finicky. So there’s something for everyone, from light snacks for small eaters to hearty local fare that satisfy impatient, empty bellies.
Sembang’s Nasi Lemak Goreng is one dish that stands out – it’s not Nasi Lemak per se, neither is it Nasi Goreng, a favourite across all local cultures. It is however, a thrilling combination of both.
“It’s like, why not ‘goreng’ sambal nasi lemak with rice? Give the rice a nice spicy coating of sambal, for something truly easy and homemade,” Elaine told FMT.
There is also a healthy option for calorie-conscious customers – cauliflower rice. How brilliant is that?
What’s a menu without every Malaysian’s favourite – instant Maggi noodles! The people at Sembang however decided to give it their own spin by adding a generous portion of sliced sausages, sawi and extra spices to make the broth richer and more flavourful. Needless to say, this has become a firm favourite among Sembang’s regulars.
When at Sembang, don’t even think of leaving without trying their version of Creamy Butter Chicken.
Served with fragrant rice and an egg cooked sunny-side up, this dish is out-of-this-world delicious with just the right amount of creamy richness, and a hint of sweet and spicy from the curry leaves and chilli.
If chicken’s your thing, you’ll love the Ayam Percik Roasted Chicken served here.
Marinated with turmeric, cumin, coriander and lemongrass, the coconut milk and tamarind juice make this dish undeniably rich and flavourful. Roasted to perfection complete with tasty caramelised bits, it is served with homemade waffle fries and a side of salad.
To end the meal on a sweet note, try Sembang’s Banana Cake and Ice Cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. The cake is moist and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the ice cream complements this sinful dessert exquisitely.
A homemade concoction, the Sembang Refresher is a citrus, lemongrass and sparkling tea that’s a perfect antidote to beat the heat.
More than just a restaurant – it’s a community centre
Sembang is not just a restaurant, it’s also an event space for workshops and social gatherings. Able to seat up to 100 people at a time, a big screen complete with a sound system makes for an ideal spot for movie screenings and football matches.
“Sembang is a neutral space, catering to different occasions. The place is big and has the right sort of relaxing atmosphere for people to come in and hangout for hours,” Elaine said, adding that many love its high-ceiling and ceiling-to-floor windows that allow lots of natural light in.
Every other Saturday, Sembang organises educational workshops at their premises. Open to the public, you can drop by for either calligraphy, flower arrangement, or maybe get a pointer or two from their diet and nutrition talks. But hurry as places fill up fast.
Want to grab a bite but housebound? Fret not. Sembang is also available on Foodpanda, Fave and soon, GrabFood.
Sembang
No.12A-1, Jalan PJU 5/15
Dataran Sunway
Kota Damansara
47810 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-9:00pm, Closed: Sunday
Breakfast: Nasi Lemak Bungkus served outside from 9.00am onwards.
For more information, follow @sembangasia.