The Best Nasi Briyani in Ipoh?
May 5, 2010 | 12,974 views
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? Read on to find out ….
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, eh? 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.
“I might have found the BEST Nasi Briyani in Ipoh. Or have I? Someone prove me wrong, please … so I can continue my hunt!” 
RESTORAN M. SALIM (Since 1985) – HALAL
No 20, Jalan Yang Kalsom,
30250 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 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. **
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to the restaurant.
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)
Hungry lah brother.. not good to go around surfing food blogs at 12.30am… hahaha
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For those of us who are oceans away…..you are making us suffer! Got to make a trip to my old hometown soon:)
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Aiyah!!!! oh my God! they look so scrumptious and so very cheap. Like you said Stephaine we have to go back soon. This is torturing just looking at all these pictures of delicious food.
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Stephanie & Boon : Haha, come back during the festivities and wallop away? I am sure there will be enough time to eat them all.
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not really a fan of that, however, would like to know who is the best in Ipoh.
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Abd Kadir Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:32 am
I have eaten nothing great to talk about. It is NASI MINYAK but they claim it is Briyani. If you realy wants eat briyani GO to Fuza’s Briyani Station, Dataran Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Not Nasi Minyak, Abd Kadir.
Here’s a page on Biryani, their origins and the many varieties of Biryani in the world.
http://hubpages.com/hub/What-Is-Biryani
I understand that you might have arrived at this page from Food Street, where a review of Fuza’s Biryani Station was done sometime ago. But do realize that other than Hyderabad Biryani (the most popular version), there are various other varieties like Sindhi, Awadhi, and of course, this Punjab’s Anarkali version.
The most authentic Hyderabad Biryani uses saffron to flavour and colour the rice. Though I highly doubt the use of such an expensive spice in the Biryani here in Malaysia, unless a fine dining affair.
Hope this clears things up.
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Looks good but you must continue your quest for the best (nasi briyani)!
Gambatte!
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Awww…it has been awhile since I have any nasi briyani. So this is the best in Ipoh?
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Personally, I found this to be good. Not as overwhelming as those with lots of spices and condiments but this one satiated my cravings for good Briyani all the same.
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Nice…:)
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you remind me on how long I have not tried nasi kandar…
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i want sambal ><
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I kinda prefer the one at Saleem along KK Road….next to caltex….their ayam merah and ayam madu is nice plus the queue is always there after 11am when they start serving their beriani
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I know which one, yeah some of my colleagues already commented about Saleem’s. I only had their Roti’s there before. Not bad, thanks.
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jeremy0 Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
If you have lotsa time on your hands, try coming at 11am….that time, everything is just freshly cooked and the beriani is still warm and fluffy….
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
11am? Okay okay …. I have all the time in the world for HOT Briyani served with curries …
Nasi briyani I love muchly too. Maybe not greener pastures though, but more saffrony yellow ones?
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I always go to the HQ for the Fish Head Curry. Yum!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 7:59 am
The HQ is near to Tow Boo Keong temple?
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wenxuan Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
yep! tucked really behind it.
lucky they opened the branch at yang kalsom!
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i go there for the pappadom, the roti canai and the great ayam goreng! and yes besides the yong suan one, this nasi beriyani anarkali is the next best one!
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Haha, good to hear common opinions from a fellow Ipohan ….. !!!
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Went there a bit too early yesterday morning at 11am. I was told Briyani is served from 11.45am.
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The plate of Briyani rice and chicken is RM7 now.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
So fast?!
Wow … this was barely even two months ago.
Guess it’s the rising cost of the …. erm… sugar?!
Whatever it is, how did you find the Biryani? I do have friends who commented that the Biryani’s nothing special and a little bland, but I personally liked their version so much, because the rice is not as oily but very fragrant.
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[...] Restoran M.Salim @ Jalan Yang Kalsom – Nasi Briyani Ayam Anarkali [...]
Please be franck, That is not a real authentic briyani. these people are fooling u guys claming it is briyani. Do you guys know what is briyani, from where it is originated. If you realy wants to taste authentic briyani there is only one restaurent in Dataran Sunway , Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya Selangor. Fuza’s Briyani Station, have you heard about it. To me the best briyani I have ever eaten. I travel to India, I have eaten briyani in Hyderabad, one of the best briyani in India, Fuza’s Briyani is similar to hyderadad briyani. Try once then you will know what is briyani all about.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Thanks Abd Kadir, for the information.
Is Fuza’s a new brand in PJ? I will take note of this.
But since this blog covers mostly food from Ipoh and around Perak, let’s give credits where they’re due.
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Pacman Radee Reply:
March 10th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
who want to go to india just for a briyani dude..lol..!
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 11:07 am
True. Well said Pacman.
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Come to penang to taste the real briyani.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:47 am
Which one in Penang to be exact?
I used to love Kapitan on Chulia Street, especially with their badam milk.
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this place is near my office..but still..i prefer vanggey than m.salim..!
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Vanggey as in the one at Yong Suan or the Vanggey branches all over?
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In my 5yrs in Ipoh, the one in Jalan Kuala Kangsar-(Saleem I think, from town on the left, before Plus highway) was my fav. Not a connoisseur on Briyani but their chicken briyani and their special sambal…you can ter-forget your mother in-law (like a Malay always says) .. give it a try…
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vanggey, wonggey is the best imho, jln yg kalsom
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The bariani looks good. The best beriani should have long grain rice, saffron, chicken cooked together in the rice, moist,served with cucumber,a good dalca kambing.
Used to have good one in Petaling Jaya section 52, called Bismi restauant but closed down because the owner of the premis raised the rent too high.
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