Ben Burger

311 Springvale Road
Springvale, VIC 3171

Ben Burger is not about the burgers. I mean, they do burgers, but those in the know are here for the nasi lemak. Yes, you heard me. Nasi lemak from a food truck named Ben Burger in Springvale, located in a petrol station no less. Anyway, this is about as close as you’ll get to proper street food in Australia. They do one thing, they do it well, and they’re open until 11pm (though some items do sell out). Pull this hidden gem out for instant foodie cred.

Rating: 12/20 – malaysia in melbourne.
To order: nasi lemak, duh. though when we were there the other two people both ordered burgers so… maybe those too?

Everyone knows nasi lemak tastes better when it comes wrapped up in paper with a bamboo leaf – I don’t make the rules. And this one is probably the most authentic version I’ve had in Australia. The Nasi Lemak Ayam Masak Merah ($12) comes as a satisfying mess of coconut rice, and chicken braised in an oily slick of red sambal. All the trimmings are there, including crispy fried anchovies, salty peanuts, and the ubiquitous hard-boiled egg. Extra shoutout to the sambal, which is just the right balance of sweet and salty, and chunky with briny dried shrimp. Good thing they give you an extra serve, the leftovers of which I added happily to a bowl of noodles the next day.

For a change of pace, I also tried the Nasi Lemak Sotong ($12). The stewed squid was a little chewy, but the sambal – this version is a bit sweeter and less punchy – saved it. After all, is there anything better than saucy rice?