Nasi Kandar at Deens Maju, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Famous Nasi Kandar

by Deens Maju, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Deens Maju is one of the most iconic local restaurants in Georgetown, Malaysia, and it's a must-visit when on the island of Penang.

Deen's Maju serves nasi kandar, a popular northern Malaysian dish that evolved from the cuisine of Tamil Muslim traders who historically sailed back and forth to Penang from India. Nasi kandar is basically a big plate of rice topped with various meats, curries, and gravies.

a plate of Malaysian nasi kandar at Deens Maju, Georgetown, Penang

Deens Maju is always busy, and lines often stretch around the block. I arrived at an odd hour, so I only had to queue up for about five minutes, although the seating area was packed! I was able to grab a small table just as a group was leaving.

To order, you step up to the counter and ask for whatever you want, and the staff will plate it up for you. It can be a little overwhelming because there's no menu, but I just said that I wanted chicken and okra. The man working there suggested that I have a boiled egg too, and who am I to turn down an expert recommendation?

Next up is the most fun part - kua campur - which basically means "to mix". After plating up whatever you want atop your rice, the staff ladle heaps of curry and gravy on top, flooding the entire plate with their special blend of flavors. They probably mixed four or five spoonsful of different sauces atop my plate.

a traditional Malaysian-style nasi kandar shop in Penang

After receiving your plate, you walk along the counter to a guy who calculates your order and types it out on a small ticket which you then take on to a cashier to pay before taking your seat. The system can be a little confusing if you've never experienced it before, but it's not too hard to figure out, and the staff can speak English to help you make sense of what is going on.

The experience is harried and chaotic, and the plate looks messy, but I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best meals that I've ever had! No wonder Deens Maju is always so popular. The mixed gravy was richly spiced (but not spicy), and the rice absorbed all of the juices so that every bite burst with flavor. The skin of the chicken was amazingly crispy, yet the interior was super juicy.

Location

Deens Maju Nasi Kandar is located at 170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

Deens Maju Nasi Kandar, Penang, Malaysia