Kelantan cuisine happens to be one of my favourite cuisines in Malaysia – I especially enjoy the layering and balance of flavours and herbs, plus the richness from the coconut milk used. Warung Ambo Laman Glenmarie was recommended to Jien and I, for good masakan Kelantan in Klang Valley.
Lunch crowd at Warung Ambo
We were told it gets really crowded during lunch and dinner so it’s best to get there before noon, lest wait in the long queue for your turn. By noon, the place is packed with patrons, and the queue at the food counter exceeded the restaurant’s five-foot walkway. Fortunately, service is quick so the queue moves relatively fast.
Queue up and place your orders with these ladies, and they will serve you accordingly.
There is a system in place at Warung Ambo – you need to place your orders at the food station and the ladies behind the counter will serve you accordingly. This also applies for takeaway orders. Jien and I got a plate of Nasi Kerabu Ayam Gulai (RM9.50) and Nasi Dagang Daging Kerutup (RM10) to try.
Nasi Kerabu Ayam Gulai
Warung Ambo’s nasi kerabu comparises blue-tinged rice with a mixture of ulam (jungle herbs), sambal, kerisik, half a salted egg and crackers. I usually like eating my nasi kerabu with ayam percik but it wasn’t available that day, so I settled for ayam gulai instead.
Comes with a mixture of ulam (jungle herbs), sambal, kerisik, half a salted egg and crackers
Note that the sambal at Warung Ambo packs plenty of heat so it might be too spicy for some. It was too spicy for Jien and I, and we have pretty good tolerance for spice in general. Overall, it’s a decent plate of nasi kerabu, but I reckon it would be tastier with solok lada.
Nasi Dagang Daging Kerutup
Nasi dagang is popular among diners at Warung Ambo, and one can opt for either ikan tongkol, gulai ayam or daging kerutup as the protein. We decided on daging kerutup, which is slowcooked till adequately tender. The rice is lightly chewy and rich from the addition of coconut milk, and there’s plenty of kick from the sambal and acar.
Teh Madu Ambo (front) and Teh Hijau Ambo
We ordered the Teh Madu Ambo (RM5) and Teh Hijau Ambo (RM5), the former is a popular drink in Kelantan and it’s been years since I got my hands on this iced honey tea, pulled till frothy and light. Warung Ambo’s version is good enough to satiate the craving. The green tea version is also nice but if I had to pick one, I’ll stick to the honey tea.
Kuih muih corner
Kuih Akok
A selection of kuih muih is available for sale next to the payment counter – we got the Kuih Akok, my favourite kuih from the East Coast. Warung Ambo does it well and I prefer this to the one from Anis Puteri as the latter does it a bit too thin of late. Warung Ambo’s version contains more eggs than flour, and it’s fluffier to bite into.
Laksam is delicious!
Laksam is also available at Warung Ambo, priced at RM6 per pack. I ordered this to go and regretted not getting two packets instead. The rice flour noodles are pleasantly chewy, while the fish-based broth is thick, lemak and flavourful from the fish stock and flakes. I also like how they balanced the richness of the broth with a good amount of tamarind and lime, so it isn’t cloying at all.
If you’re craving Kelantanese food, Warung Ambo is another option to consider. It’s a tad far for me (the journey took me 40-45 minutes from Bangsar) but I’ll definitely head there if I’m within the vicinity.
Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (halal)
Verdict: Worth a try if you’re craving Kelantanese fare and can’t make your way to the East Coast.
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Warung Ambo Laman Glenmarie
38, Jalan Novelis U1/86A,
Laman Glenmarie,
40150 Shah Alam.
Tel: 011-2107 2102
Business hours: 8.30am till 4pm
(closed Monday)
1 comment
good post!