No. 78 Aba’s Nasi Lemak, Wai Sek Kai [Non-Halal] @ SS2, Petaling Jaya

Food courts are great places to go to if you’re looking to try local food at low prices. Wai Sek Kai is no different. It has been around for a long time, and has a good reputation for its huge varieties of good food at cheap prices. It’s a popular spot for locals especially during the weekends and Mondays (weekly night market night)!

It houses over 80 stalls selling a variety of foods (though they might get a little repetitive – especially fried kueh teow!). On weekdays, the stores operating hours differentiate depending on where they are located. But generally, all are open during the weekends.

Parking is generally easy to find, except on Mondays where there is a weekly night market. I generally avoid SS2 on Mondays, because the jam is just crazy, except on occasions where I decide to go for the night market food… but that’s another story for another day.

One that I often frequent to is No. 78 Aba’s Nasi Lemak! Don’t let the name fool you, it doesn’t sell your standard nasi lemak, but rather dishes that are more like of those normal economy rice stalls… just that this isn’t like the others.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B86AdpRh7Pu/

Like most run off the mill economy rice stores, they have a wide variety of over 30 kinds of dishes to choose from. But unlike the others, they are more “up market”. They have fancier dishes like sambal prawns, steamed fish, marmite mantis prawns, wild boar curry, and others. As their name suggests, the style of the dishes are closer to Nyonya cuisine. So do expect a good mixture of spicy dishes mixed with traditional Chinese food preparation methods. They also sell soup dishes that are available upon order.

As a long patron to the stall, I’ve tried most of their dishes, and most of them were superb! I especially like the chicken curry (my rice is usually banjir-ed with their curry)! My other favourites are their marmite mantis prawns, sweet and sour pork, steamed fish, and their braised pork (“sam zham bak”). Those dishes that I didn’t like weren’t because of the taste, but because I didn’t like the thing itself, like bitter gourd (but their salted egg bitter gourd is one their popular dishes!).

They are only open for dinner, and are closed on Thursdays. They usually start setting up at about 6 PM, and start taking orders at around 6.15 PM – 6.30 PM. They will bring some of the dishes in their pick-up truck, and cook the rest of the dishes at the hawker store itself. Unlike other economy rice stalls, it isn’t self service. The two aunties that run the store will scoop the dishes you want for you. It’s slower, but I guess it’s more orderly since there are so many people who want their food.

The queue is usually all the way to Wai Sek Kai’s entrance or to the other side.

Do note that most of the time, there is a queue even before they start setting up! The queues are often relentless long. If you’re there late, do expect to wait up to 30 minutes for a plate economy rice. But if you have the time and patience, it’s definitely worth the wait. Though they have quite a spread, most dishes will be sold out by 7.30 PM, especially the popular dishes. So, do go early.

Price-wise, it’s a little pricy given the dishes are more “up market”. A plate of economy rice with sweet and sour pork, mantis prawn and veggie will cost you RM12 onwards (not your typical economy rice price). Although the premium price, many people still flock to the store for the good food… and so will I.

My rating:
70%: Ambiance
75%: Price (value of money)
90%: Taste
80%: Location
70%: Service
77%: Overall rating

Opening hours:
6 PM – 10 PM (Fri to Weds)
(Closed on Thursdays)

Location:
Store No. 78
Wai Sek Kai
Jalan SS 2/61
47300 Petaling Jaya

Share Post:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected
More Updates
Olea Chow Kit
Food

Olea @ Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur

If you’re craving Mediterranean flavours in Kuala Lumpur, Olea in Chow Kit should be on your list. It’s not every ...

Read More
Whatever Cafe Alor Setar
Alor Setar

Whatever Cafe @ Alor Setar, Kedah

Alor Setar’s café scene has been buzzing lately, and with the recent opening of Whatever Cafe near Alor Setar Mall, it’s quickly ...

Read More
Food

Nasi Kandar Marwah @ Mount Austin, Johor Bahru

If you’re a food enthusiast like me, Johor Bahru’s Nasi Kandar Marwah is a must-visit. Nestled in the bustling Taman ...

Read More
Life in My Early 30s
Lifestyle

Reflecting on Life in My Early 30s: The Ultimate Sweet Spot or Myth?

Is life in my early 30s really the best time of your life? The answer may not be as straightforward ...

Read More