THOSE who truly enjoy nasi kandar but cannot travel to Penang often enough to get a taste of it, there is a closer option to consider.

To get your nasi kandar fix, steer your wheels to Section 52, Petaling Jaya and look for Zainul Nasi Kandar Pulau Pinang.

Located at Petaling Jaya City Council’s food court in Medan Selera Komplex C, this is the place to go to for affordable and tasty nasi kandar.

A full meal can cost as low as RM6.50 with a sizeable portion of deep-fried chicken, bean sprouts or cabbage as well as the must-have gravy over steaming hot white rice.

The family-run business has been around since 1983 and is managed by a husband and wife team, who are also assisted by their children and relatives.

Head cook Zainab Ismail said the recipe for the nasi kandar curry was created by her father-in-law in the 1960s.

Regulars to this stall enjoy the unique-tasting gravy. “Our gravy is special because it does not have coconut milk. The gravy contains six herbs and we prepare everything from scratch.

“It is our own family recipe and we did not borrow anyone’s recipe for our business,” said Zainab who starts cooking about 6am in the morning daily.

The basic meal is called nasi ayam kecil. Meanwhile, nasi ayam besar comes with sizeable portion of half-fried chicken and this costs RM8.50.

The stall also sells side dishes such as salted egg, beef heart, spleen, fried squid, fried tofu and fried mackerel.

The fish head curry here is also popular and it goes well with the nasi kandar.

Zainab said among the best comments she has received was that food at her stall tasted the same every time.

“We have a pool of regular customers from some 20 years ago. They say the gravy tastes the same just like when they first ate it decades ago.

“We do not have fixed measurements to our ingredients when we prepare the curry.

“However, we have managed to keep it tasting the same all the time because only one person cooks it, most of the time, and that person is me.

“My husband and children can also cook it as we plan to run this business for as long as we are able,” said Zainab.

She added that some customers who reside abroad have taken her gravy abroad to share it with their friends.

“Some tell me that they freeze the curry first in a container and wrap it with newspaper. Some take it with them to places like Hong Kong and even London. The gravy lasts long because we don’t add coconut milk too,” she said.

Zainab said a lot of importance was also placed on ensuring the vegetables’ freshness and the quality of the chicken.

“Quality ingredients is a must because that plays a big part in determining the taste of the dish,” she added.

The restaurant is open daily from 7am to 5pm and closed during the Hari Raya celebration.

Zainul Nasi Kandar Pulau Pinang is at Medan Selera Kompleks C, Lot 90, Lorong Sultan, Section 52, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.