Nasi Briyani Ayam Anarkali – For about a quarter of a century (since 1985), Restoran M. Salim has been serving their famous brand of Nasi Kandar and Nasi Briyani in Ipoh; with 3 branches to date.
I admit that I am a sucker for good Nasi Briyani. Those long-grained, fluffy and fragrant Basmati rice cooked with loads of herbs and spices, sometimes together with your meat of choice (usually chicken or mutton); whereby in this case the rice and meat ensemble might be known as a “pullao” or “pilaf.” But commonly, we have our plates of Nasi Briyani served separately from the curry(s) of your choice.
If you’re a local, you couldn’t have missed this “white and green” restaurant situated at the junction of Jalan Yang Kalsom and Jalan Che Tak in Ipoh.
I heard many positive reviews on A.K. Nasi Kandar, where they’re supposed to serve the BEST Nasi Briyani in Ipoh. Tough luck, for I found A.K.’s version being almost too bland and boring when eaten as it is, without the ‘supporting characters’ of curries and vegetables. Yes, good Briyani should be tasty enough to be eaten plain, sans the extra ingredients, and the whiff of spices and condiments alone can send one to Briyani heaven …. IF, there ever was one.
And so, I ended up at Restoran M. Salim on Jalan Yang Kalsom in Ipoh, to seek for greener pastures. No, I was NOT searching for recruitment opportunities, in case you’re confused. I was merely looking for a worthy plate of Nasi Biryani in Ipoh to be relished on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Curious on how my experience at M.Salim was?
A huge chunk of Ayam Goreng Rempah (Fried Chicken with Spices and Curry Leaves) with half a boiled salted egg, some refreshing cuts of cucumber, a dollop of Salim’s famous ‘sambal’ (chili paste) and a plethora of gravies drenching the rice.
YES. A resounding YES, for that matter. I was enticed the moment I scooped a spoonful of the rice into my mouth. Fragrant, light and fluffy, with nuances of spices, herbs and various condiments, the Nasi Briyani was exactly how I envisioned a good Briyani to be. And it has been so long since I’ve tasted sumptuous ones in Ipoh. And you know those annoying Nasi Briyani elsewhere, when you repeatedly bite into bits and pieces of spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cumin seeds etc) in every spoonful; overwhelming the taste of this rather delicate rice dish? M. Salim’s version was thankfully not loaded with that much spices, or maybe they singled them out before serving the rice to the customers.
The name of this signature of theirs is Nasi Briyani Ayam Anarkali. A mouthful? Anarkali refers to the superior grade of Basmati rice used in this dish, and very seldom do you see this term in the many Nasi Kandar outlets serving Nasi Briyani in Ipoh. Or anywhere else for that matter.
The accompanying piece of chicken (the whole upper thigh was given) was not of the curried variety, but instead a simpler, but equally lip-smacking steamed chicken with spices that was very tender and tasty; belying its stark presentation. A plate for RM6.50/USD2.00, I felt satisfied with the portion and the quality of the Briyani.
Recklessly scooped and dolloped on the side of the melamine plate, do NOT look down on this killer of a ‘sambal’ at M.Salim.
And the dollop of special Salim’s sambal (chili paste pounded with coconut shreds, and other spices) completed their prized ensemble of Nasi Briyani, a piece of Chicken, some cuts of cucumber and optional gravies smothered on the chicken and/or rice. Being sweet-ish and ‘child-friendly’, rest assured you won’t be breathing fire and sweating (unlike the deadly Yong Suan's gravy) after tasting their 'sambal' here.
Restoran M. Salim is an Indian-Muslim restaurant, hence the food is perfectly HALAL.
The restaurant also serves a rather famed curry fish head, various curries and dishes with rice (ala Nasi Kandar style), a respectable array of “Roti’s” (roti canai, telur, bawang and the likes) but only before 11.30am, the “mamak” evergreens like Mee Goreng, Maggi Goreng, Mutton/Chicken Soup, and even Mee Rojak and Pasembur.
Restoran M. Salim
No 20, Jalan Yang Kalsom,
30250 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia.
Tel : 605-255 4786.
Business Hours : 6.30am – 1.00am daily.
Closed from 12.30pm-2.00pm on Fridays for prayers.
** They serve Buffet Lunch from Monday-Thursday @ 12.30pm-2.30pm, for only RM6.50 per person. **
Other branches at :
HQ : 75, Jalan Bahru, Off Jalan Tokong, 31650 Ipoh, Perak. (605-255 5786)
Branch : Lot 1.04, 1.05 & 1.06 @ Kompleks Silveritage Galleria, Medan Gopeng, Jalan Gopeng, 31350 Ipoh, Perak. (605-313 6786)
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