Restoran Mega Ceria: Affordable nasi padang with over 10 sides like eggplant sambal, beef rendang & sambal ijo
We were recommended by one of our readers to try Restoran Mega Ceria located in Taman Maju Jaya, PJ. They highlighted that this restaurant has been serving nasi padang for over 50 years and is the best in town. So, I decided to have a taste myself.
For the uninitiated, nasi padang is essentially an Indonesian version of nasi campur. It’s well-known for its rich and spicy flavours and is best enjoyed with a group of friends and family. It’s been rather difficult to find a good nasi padang place, so my expectations were set high for this restaurant.
When I arrived at the restaurant at 11am, I noticed 4 tables brimming with side dishes and a variety of lauk for patrons to select from— options galore! I supposed they’re accustomed to the lunchtime rush that frequently fills up the restaurant. After a good 5 minutes of deciding what to have, I sat down and was ready to relish my meal.
What I tried at Restoran Mega Ceria
I opted for the ayam rendang, fried egg, sambal tempeh with ikan bilis and kuah campur. This came down to RM14.50, which is relatively affordable for a plate of nasi padang in the Klang Valley.
Without hesitation, I took a bite and was surprised by the burst of flavours in my mouth. The ayam rendang was tender and had a robust taste. There were hints of the spices that were used when cooking the rendang that paired well with the spicy kick that comes afterwards.
I tried the fried egg next, which was cooked to perfection! Unlike many places that cook their eggs in a large amount of oil, this one wasn’t too oily. I received a nice little surprise with the yolk as it was delightfully runny as I cut into it. I had been anticipating a fully cooked egg.
The mixed gravy also contributed to the piquant taste of the rice, and I could taste the subtle flavours of the different gravies mixed with the sweet sambal. I initially thought that the masak lemak gravy would overpower the rendang and sambal considering how yellow my rice was, but I was wrong. It contributed a nice creamy flavour to the overall dish, which was perfect when mixed with the spicy rendang.
I then had a taste of the sambal tempeh with ikan bilis. I wouldn’t say it was the best, but it added a nice contrast of texture. The tempeh was well cooked with a hard exterior and soft interior, although I prefer my tempeh to be cooked a bit more. The ikan bilis was nice and crunchy, complementing the tempeh. Considering the visible amount of chilli, I anticipated the sambal tempeh to be spicy. However, it turned out to be on the milder side.
Final thoughts
Restoran Mega Ceria is worth the visit if you’re in the area. The selection of lauk and side dishes is plentiful, especially when you take the price into consideration. I’d say the food here is reminiscent of home-cooked meals, giving it that comforting feeling when you eat it. I also recommend opting for half a serving of rice if you’re not a big eater — they’re very generous with it.
The restaurant has ample seating, so I recommend bringing along a friend or two to enjoy your meal with. That way, you can enjoy more dishes amongst yourselves.
Do ensure you either have cash readily available or your QR payment method prepared, as card payments are not accepted.
Expected damage: RM2 – RM20 per pax
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