Top In Asia | Say Yes Cafe

Say Yes Cafe in Damansara Utama has been making waves for their nasi lemak ayam goreng so Jien and I checked them out recently. The place was packed at 11 am, but we managed to score a vacated table almost immediately.

Interior

The nasi lemak at Say Yes Cafe is reasonably priced and decent in portion – the ayam goreng berempah version is RM11.40, which is considerably cheaper than their competitors. We also tried the sambal sotong (RM10.70) since it received plenty of praise on Google reviews.

Spicy fried chicken fat rice

The sambal, however, was too sweet and slightly watery for my liking. I understand that some people prefer it this way and that it may be part of Say Yes Cafe’s distinctive style, but I personally enjoy a thicker, spicier sambal with more depth. This one lacked that oomph.

The fried chicken was fresh from the fryer so it’s juicy and tender. But the rempah flavour wasn’t as pronounced as I’d hoped. I had to eat the fried bits separately to really taste the spices. Perhaps it’s tailored to their customer base, but if you enjoy bold flavours, this might not hit the mark.

Sambal errs on the sweet side

The rice was fluffy but lacked the rich aroma and depth that comes from pandan leaves and coconut milk. It’s a lighter and possibly healthier take on nasi lemak, though in my opinion, that somewhat defeats the indulgence of eating nasi lemak in the first place.

Fat Sambal Sambal Squid

Sambal sotong was mild and overly sweet

That said, the nasi lemak ayam goreng berempah is still better than the sambal sotong. The latter was so mild that, for a moment, I felt like I was eating braised cuttlefish in onion gravy. The only saving grace was the texture of the cuttlefish; tender and pleasant to bite into.

I didn’t try their other menu items such as the pulut rice or the chee cheong fun (which wasn’t available anyway)since Say Yes Cafe prides itself in serving “probably the bestest” nasi lemak in town. And for that, I applaud them for their confidence.

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Ambiance: 6/10

Price: 7/10

Food: 4/10 (pork and lard free)

Verdict: The fried chicken is juicy, I’ll give them that. But overall, the nasi lemak is mediocre at best.

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