Anjung Hijau Lin Swandee: RM4 fluffy nasi lemak halba that tastes like home, thick laksa lidi & comforting soto
“You should try this spot’s nasi lemak — it’s pretty good for the price,” my friend suggested casually. Coming from someone who’s cooked and tasted more nasi lemak than I can imagine, her opinion holds some weight.
So, I ended up at Anjung Hijau Lin Swandee, a cosy 2-storey warung that blends a modern touch with a nostalgic vibe — plastic tables, open-air seating, and the occasional tunes from buskers in the background.
Being more familiar with Cheras than the rest of KL or Selangor, I’ve come to know places like Kampung Sungai Ramal and Sungai Merab as go-to spots for breakfast, even if they don’t get as much attention as other areas when it comes to non-locals. That’s part of what convinced me to visit Anjung Hijau Lin Swandee — it’s tucked away in Sungai Merab.
What I tried at Anjung Hijau Lin Swandee
Choosing my dish this time was a no-brainer — I headed straight for the nasi lemak counter. The basic plate was priced at RM4, but mine totalled RM9 after I added a piece of ayam goreng berempah. The best part? You get to pick your chicken piece and load it onto your plate yourself. My friend, who’s not a fan of fishy flavours, had mentioned their cockles were pretty good on her last visit. Still, I stuck with the chicken.
To my surprise, the rice wasn’t your standard nasi lemak; it turned out to be nasi lemak halba with fenugreek seeds sparsely scattered throughout. The sign hadn’t mentioned it, so I wasn’t expecting it. Now, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a purist — classic coconut rice is my comfort zone — but I decided to keep an open mind and give it a go.
From the first bite, the fenugreek seeds made their presence known, accompanied by a noticeable hint of ginger. The combination cut through the richness of the santan, leaving me wanting for more of the classic coconut taste. The rice itself was cooked to perfection though — fluffy yet firm, exactly how I like it.
Then came the sambal. It looked inviting from the start, with just the right consistency and a glossy sheen from a good amount of oil. The first taste packed a punch of heat from the chilli, though the spice faded almost as quickly as it arrived. It leaned toward the old-school sweet sambal style, but the sweetness was subtle, enhancing the flavours without overpowering the dish.
These days, it feels like roasted peanuts and ikan bilis are becoming rare on nasi lemak plates, so I was relieved to see them on mine. I was given too many ikan bilis heads than the actual flesh, but they were decent enough overall.
Now, onto the fried chicken! At first glance, I suspected the crust might be tough, and I wasn’t wrong — it was crispy but came with a real risk of scraping the roof of your mouth. My guess was the oil was too hot when it hit the fryer. Peeking under the crust confirmed it: some bits of batter were cooked just enough to not give you food poisoning, teetering on doughy. Still, it didn’t ruin the experience. The chicken itself was juicy and packed with flavour, making up for the less-than-perfect crust.
My friend filled me in on the latest Kelantan food trend: Laksa Lidi. Naturally, that’s what she ordered as our second dish, priced at RM10. It came served in a laksam-style broth, paired with taugeh, chopped bunga kantan, a halved calamansi, and a dollop of sambal belacan.
The broth had a great thick consistency, but the flavour was pretty mild. It’s a good option if you’ve got a sensitive stomach, especially for breakfast, but it left us wanting more punch. The noodles were a bit of a letdown — too soft and falling apart with minimal pressure. They looked like regular mee kuning but lacked the signature alkaline taste. If you’re into subtler flavours, this might suit you, though be warned: the sambal packed a serious spicy kick!
Our final dish was Soto (RM10), which came generously loaded with chicken, nasi impit, bergedil, peanuts, taugeh, and the obligatory sprinkle of dried suhun.
The chicken was tender, having been simmered in the broth, and the nasi impit was perfectly soft without crossing into mushy territory. The bergedil was sizeable and nicely seasoned, delivering a simple but satisfying taste. My only complaint? The broth could’ve used a bit more seasoning, as the rempah soto flavours didn’t quite shine through.
Final thoughts
If you’re coming here just for the nasi lemak, I’d say it earns a solid spot in the A-tier for classic, old-school roadside nasi lemak in my book, especially given the price. That said, it’s probably the only dish that truly justifies a trip to Anjung Hijau Lin Swandee — unless, of course, you’re already in the area. Me and my dining companions personally liked the Soto more than the Laksa Lidi.
Expected damage: RM4 – RM10 per pax
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