Rail Canteen @ Sunway Nexis, Kota Damansara

Johorians should be familiar with the famous heritage eatery, Kluang Train Station canteen which has been operating since year 1938. The fare has always been something we Malaysians are fond of--- Kluang Kopi, Nasi Lemak, Meehoon Siam and more. Now we don't have to travel south to enjoy these unique Malaysian cuisine because Rail Canteen has brought them to us using the same recipe and menu from Johor. 

Ambiance wise, there is a real old-school feel within this two-storey outlet, as it is furnished with marble-topped kopitiam tables, tiled walls, dark wooden chairs and cabinets. The upper storey is more spacious, hence ideal for private events or functions. 

Kopi Ais / Teh Ais @ RM3.80 each

Well-liked by the crowd for centuries, the Kluang coffee in hot mugs and chilled glasses are 100% local as the home-grown coffee beans are meticulously hand-roasted to perfection, creating coffee that embodies ultimate smoothness, boldness in taste and aroma. A cup of plain black Hainan coffee is simply good to go on its own or pair with the signature Roti Bakar. 

Roti Bakar @ RM3.50

In KL/PJ, not many kopitiams serve good, fluffy Hainanese bread loaves. I am glad to find something that meets my expectation at Rail Canteen. Two slices of charcoal-toasted bread are slathered with homemade kaya (brought all the way from Johor) and thick slabs of butter, creating a crispy outer perfection and melt-in-the-mouth texture on the inside. Great for both lazy and busy mornings!

Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah @ RM12.60

The highly recommended main course begin with Malaysians' No.1 favourite Nasi Lemak that can be paired with a choice of chicken such as Ayam Goreng, Ayam Rendang and Ayam Masak Merah. Here we pick Ayam Berempah, the spiced deep-fried chicken which is one of the crowd's favourite as it is exceptionally fragrant with a burst of flavour from the spiced marinade!

Sambal Bawang, Kerang, Ikan Bilis, Udang, Sotong

To perfect the meal, the chef has gone great lengths to ensure diners get the real taste of the aromatic homemade sambal. Cooked with just the right amount of spices, each type of sambal exudes different levels of spiciness, texture and aroma. My personal favourite is the Sambal Ikan Bilis for its crunchy texture. 

Meehoon Siam @ RM6.50

Next up is another comfort food that we grow up eating. The spicy rice vermicelli tastes great with a nice crunch from the crisp shallot, red chillies, beansprouts and shredded omelette. Adding a zest of lime juice, the combination of spicy, mildly sour and sweet taste makes this dish appealing to many. 

Mee Rebus @ RM11.50

Mee Kari @ RM11.50

Among the noodle dishes, I would personally recommend the curry noodles because it packs a huge flavour punch from its rich, creamy broth. The aromatics coupled with coconut milk in the curry is bursting with hints of delicate sweetness that is so comforting to every soul!

Rendang Kambing @ RM9.00

Apart from poultry, do treat your tummy with additional dishes such as Mutton Rendang that pair well with even the plainest rice. Overall, it is a sweet, rich and creamy stew that is perfectly balanced in flavours-- Neither too mild nor too spicy for my liking. 

Hainanese Chicken Chop @ RM16.90

Closer to the Hainanese flavours, we have the beautifully crumbed chicken chop that is ultra crisp on the exterior, with soft juicy meat inside. Paired with the starchy, savoury sauce, the meat is very flavourful although the sauce feels a tad sourish for me. Again, the dish is very generous in portion and hence reasonably priced. 

3-Layer Ice Cream @ RM9.80

Kopi Chendol Ais @ RM4.90

To cool our palate, we notice familiar names on the signature drinks menu including Chendol and Ais Batu Campur (ABC). But what catches my attention is the Kopi Chendol Ais that achieves a good balance of bitter and sweet tastes. Simply cooling and delicious, it goes well with the hot and spicy dishes. 

Kopi Cheesecake @ RM9.80

For a taste of Malaysian flavours under an oldschool kopitiam setting, Rail Canteen is the right place to visit. It does not serve pork or alcohol on its menu. 

Verdict:

1. Nice concept at Rail Canteen that preserves the oldschool style since 1940s, serving different types of Malaysian comfort food with a smattering of surprise.

2. The local dishes look simple, but great quality is assured in terms of taste, and portion. 

3. Recommended: Nasi Goreng Ayam Berempah, Meehoon Siam, Roti Bakar 

Rail Canteen (Next to Rimba & Rusa)
Unit D-GF-02,
Sunway Nexis,
Jalan PJU 5/2,
47810 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Contact: 03-6150 1802
Facebook: fb.com/pages/Rail-Canteen
Business Hours: 8am - 10pm daily