A WORK colleague offered to review Nasi Lemak Korner in Mosman Park, but he dilly-dallied for too long, so my friend and I went along instead.

Snooze you lose, as they say, and boy did he ever.

The menu at this Malaysian eatery is so enticing it took us a while to decide on an entree of kerabu salad and tuna cutlets ($8 each).

Spicy greens

The salad was a colourful mix of fresh shredded coconut, bean sprouts, green apple, cucumber, and chilli, doused in a spicy calamansi juice.

The hybrid fruit looks like an orange but tastes more like a lemon, and infused with herbs it gave the salad a sweet-and-sour zing.

“It’s so crunchy and the texture is refreshing,” Catherine exclaimed.

The tuna patty was a twist on the old English favourite and the soft potato, shallots, spring onion and tuna cakes were the perfect accompaniment to the spicy greens.

Catherine spent her early childhood in Indonesia, and when she finally noticed the section of the menu devoted to nasi lemak, her entree was instantly forgotten.

A national dish in Malaysia, the coconut-infused rice is a staple in neighbouring countries.

You can have nasi lemak with a boiled egg, fried peanuts, anchovies and house-made sambal for just $12.

Or you can add chicken, cooked three different ways, or beef or squid for an additional $6.

Catherine went for the ayam percik option: chicken marinaded with spices and grilled to crispy perfection.

She was almost purring with contentment when the nasi lemak arrived, and said it was one of the best she’d ever eaten.

My fish curry ($18) had plenty of firm flesh and hearty chunks of eggplant and tomato.

Mopping up

The rich creamy sauce was perfectly balanced by the sharpness of tamarind, and it had a wonderful chilli punch.

And the nasi kunyit ($6) – basmati rice delicately flavoured with turmeric and coconut – was great for mopping up the sauce.

Nasi Lemak’s service was fast and efficient and the decor as fresh and interesting as the food.

The eatery isn’t licenced but does have a great line in mocktails, and Malaysian coffees and teas.

You can also book a class to learn how to make an authentic roti.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Nasi Lemak Korner
Corner Glyde Street and Stirling Highway
open Mon-Sat 5.30-9pm,
Sunday 11.30am-9pm
9385 5162