What’s the most Malaysian thing to do? To me, it’s always sipping on teh tarik at a nearby mamak stall!
The food scene in Kuala Lumpur is vibrant and filled with restaurants, bars, and a tonne of food booths. But the most significant component of Malaysia’s culinary tradition is the mamak eatery. Ask around and you’ll see for yourself why most people love dining at mamak stalls. From their favourite naan and rotis, to hot teh tarik and mee goreng – mamak eateries are most local’s hangout spot, open from early morning till late at night.
Speaking of mamak, I came across one particular shop which has become my favourite dine-in spot. You’ll see why.
Located at Bukit Saga, Ampang, Rani’s Corner has more to offer than just delicious nasi lemak and heart-warming tea. But before we jump to that point, let’s talk about the ‘exterior’ of Rani’s Corner. Though it has indoor seating, this mamak offers largely al fresco dining. The parking is not that bad, but if you want to park right across Rani’s, then you’ll have to arrive early. Since there are other eateries along the same path, parking might be an issue sometimes. Service-wise, you gotta be patient sometimes, especially when there are a lot of people. As for the cleanliness aspect – it’s so-so, lah. You know mamak – so I don’t have to dwell on that.
Okay, now let’s discover the food Rani’s Corner has to offer.
The menu is pretty basic. You can get the usual roti canai, tosai, fried stuff and all the beverages you can find at every mamak stall. The only thing that got me curious was that one of their signature dishes is called ‘roti salad’. At first I thought I was hearing it incorrectly but nope, roti salad is actually a dish served at Rani’s Corner. The roti salad is somewhat of a wrap. It’s plain roti canai stuffed with chopped carrots, cabbage and chicken or mutton. It is rolled in a wrap shape, decorated with sauce on top and chopped into bite sizes.
I really like the very Malaysian take on this. I mean, I’ve eaten roti canai and we all know how that tastes like, but the creativity on this is really interesting. Not to mention, it’s quite filling too! They were so generous on the chicken and the veggies, which were fresh and juicy. I didn’t really like the sauce – it was just chilly and mayo, but you know how some mamak stalls use weird sauce brands or mix them with water. Overall, I would give this dish a 7 out of 10, and the sauce is a big NO for me.
Moving on: the next dish was nasi lemak ayam goreng. Who could resist the good ole’ nasi lemak? Pretty classic at Rani’s: coconut rice, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumbers and sambal. But to make it more ‘atas’, you can choose to pair it with fried chicken. The fried chicken at Rani’s tastes really good and is crispy. I also love their sambal. It’s not too spicy, not too sweet, but somewhere in between, that gives this dish a balanced taste.
The next dish is also a signature of Rani’s. I love a good sup kambing, especially the mamak style. It has more flavours, spices, and the meat is tender. Most of the time, when I head to Rani’s, I would order this mutton soup. I really like the aroma of the soup and you could tell it’s a good soup. The meat is quite tender, so I didn’t really have trouble chewing it. You can pair this soup with white rice, plain bread or have it as it is. The soup is quite thick. If you prefer it lighter, maybe you could request that they add some water.
At times, if I want to have something light, I would order their maggi goreng and if I want something sweet, I go for their roti tisu. It’s crispy, sweet and crunchy!
And now, the part that makes Rani’s an ideal hangout spot: the view!
If you love sunsets, you must check this spot out. I really love dining here. Simple food, good company and a perfect view of KL city is just what one needs to unwind. After a long day at work or whenever I feel a little down, I love coming here just to enjoy the view, and sometimes, the cool breeze. It’s in these spots that you can witness the beauty of nature first-hand and engage in meaningful conversations. There’s a busy road just beside the stall, but surprisingly, the place isn’t that noisy at all. The only noise you’re probably gonna hear is all the old uncles and aunties chit-chatting at the same spot. The view at night is also beautiful.
If you love mamak – AND a good view – check out Rani’s Corner now! Be sure to get there early if you want to get a seat to enjoy the view.
Rani’s Corner
Operating hours: 4pm to 2am
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