Pravindran Palakrishnan and his wife Lotus run the popular nasi lemak food truck called ‘Sezty Eatz.’ (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

PETALING JAYA:

Think you’ve had nasi lemak every way imaginable? Bet you haven’t had it as a sandwich!

One couple, Lotus and Pravindran Palakrishnan, is boldly taking nasi lemak to new heights with their food truck called Sezty Eatz. And although they only hit the road two months ago, word about their offerings has spread like wildfire.

FMT Lifestyle visited their bright yellow food truck parked near Maybank at Sunway Giza, Kota Damansara to find out what the hype was all about.

It all started with Lotus, 31, and her obsession with nasi lemak. “If you ask me to eat one dish for 365 days, anytime of the day, I’ll pick nasi lemak,” she said, beaming.

Their signature offering is the nasi lemak ayam varuval goncang, available in three spice levels. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

However, wishing to serve something different from the usual “ayam goreng berempah,” she used her mother’s 30-year-old chicken varuval recipe instead to create “nasi lemak ayam varuval goncang,” the food truck’s signature offering.

“I assure you that you won’t find this chicken varuval anywhere else,” she said. And that’s because it was a completely accidental creation!

Lotus shared how her mother, a caterer, tossed some leftover aromatics and spices into a pan after a day’s cooking. A vegetarian, she added mock chicken to the spices, calling it varuval. It quickly became a family favourite.

And it’s confirmed – this chicken varuval is truly one of a kind. Packed with onions and a tangy kick, it’s lighter on spices and oil, coating tender pieces of chicken (real meat this time!).

The couple was inspired to set up a food truck after watching the movie ‘Chef.’ (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

But the best part of Sezty Eatz? They bring the heat – only if you want it!

Their chicken varuval comes in three levels of spiciness to pair with your nasi lemak or sandwich: “Pedas Manja,” “Pedas Ok-Jer,” and “Pedas Giler” – achieved through spoonfuls of Kashmiri chili flakes.

Just pick your spice level, and Pravindran, 36, a mixologist, will “goncang” it all together, shaking it like a cocktail.

“Basically, you cannot take the bar out of me,” Vin, as he prefers to be called, said with a smile.

He added that it’s not just a gimmick. Shaking, as opposed to stirring with a spoon, incorporates air and evenly distributes the chilli flakes.

FMT Lifestyle tried the “ok-jer” version, and oh boy was it spicy! Yet it’s hard to stop eating as the flavours come together for a wholesome nasi lemak experience.

Every element is on point, from the fragrant pandan-flavoured rice instead of the usual coconut milk rice, to the star of the show: the sambal. Slow-cooked for seven to eight hours, it’s on the sweeter side, perfectly balancing the heat of the varuval.

The ‘nasi lemak wanpaku’ sandwich is a beautifully layered masterpiece. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

Vin shared that after spending around 17 years in the F&B industry, he and Lotus knew they wanted to start something together. Their inspiration to set up a food truck hit while watching the movie “Chef.”

What really put them on the map, though, was their “nasi lemak wanpaku” sandwich. It contains all the traditional ingredients of nasi lemak but on bread.

Each sandwich is made fresh to order in their food truck. It starts with a generous slathering of sambal on bread, followed by anchovies and peanuts, then layered with a generous portion of chicken varuval, colourful crunchy veggies, and a fried egg. Cut it open, and it’s a true beauty. This is an absolute must-try!

And don’t leave without tasting their refreshing homemade pandan lemonade. It’s perfect for beating the heat – both from the weather and the spiciness of their food!

Looking ahead, Vin said the couple plan to add more side dishes to their nasi lemak, including rendang. So be sure to check them out and do your part in supporting local entrepreneurs.