If you’re a fan of home-grown brands with a meaningful story behind them, Empat Sekawan is one worth knowing. Founded in Penang, the cafe blends traditional Malaysian and Asian flavours with a modern cafe experience, serving everything from local favourites to fusion dishes in a warm, family-friendly setting. Empat Sekawan hopes to preserve the heritage of traditional cuisine while introducing these familiar flavours to a new generation.
Reflecting Malaysia’s multicultural spirit, Empat Sekawan celebrates togetherness through food, creating a welcoming space where people can connect over familiar and timeless flavours. We recently visited their Kota Damansara outlet to see what makes the brand so special.
What to order at Empat Sekawan
Empat Sekawan’s menu is surprisingly extensive, bringing together local favourites, Asian classics, and a handful of fusion-inspired dishes under one roof. Feeling particularly hungry that afternoon, I kicked things off with their Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken & Sambal Petai (RM27.90).
The dish certainly knew how to make a first impression. Served with vibrant blue coconut rice, nasi lemak sambal on a small banana leaf, and a deep-fried kaffir lime for extra fragrance, it looked every bit as appetising as it sounded. Alongside the rice were a generous piece of fried chicken, sambal petai, papadom, and the usual nasi lemak accompaniments.
Unfortunately, the rice didn’t quite live up to expectations. Instead of being fluffy, it leaned on the oily side, while the coconut flavour reminded me more of sweet glutinous rice commonly found in desserts. The sambal took a slightly different direction from the traditional version, with a more tangy and subtly sweet profile that felt influenced by Chinese-style cooking. So syiok!
The fried chicken was fragrant and flavourful, though not in the usual ayam berempah fashion. I personally would have preferred it to be a little more tender.
The real highlight of the plate, however, was the sambal petai. The petai beans were fresh, clean-tasting, and free from any overpowering bitterness, while the sambal itself delivered a comforting, traditional flavour.
For noodle lovers, the Yam & Fish Vermicelli Soup (RM28.90) is worth considering. Served in a large bowl over a candle-powered warmer, complete with smaller bowls for sharing, it looked like something made for a group. That said, I probably could have finished it on my own.
The broth was packed with fried fish slices, vegetables, mushrooms, and a drizzle of garlic oil. Light yet comforting, it tasted remarkably similar to steamed sour fish, making it easy to keep going back for another spoonful. The fried fish remained tender despite sitting in the soup, while the vermicelli absorbed the flavours beautifully. However, despite the dish’s name, we couldn’t seem to find any yam in the bowl.
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Since one carb dish is never enough, we also ordered the Ginger Thickly Soy Chilli Fish (RM26.90). This was one of those dishes that felt instantly nostalgic — crispy battered fish fillets coated in a glossy sweet soy sauce, paired with fragrant fried ginger slices and vegetables, over rice. Comforting and satisfying, though I personally found the sauce slightly sweeter than I would have liked.
No visit would feel complete without trying their Cai Kuih, so we opted for a mixed platter featuring 4 flavours: Mang Guang, Gu Cai, Yam, and Peanut (RM25.90). Each kuih was lightly battered and deep-fried, giving the chewy skin a pleasant crispy exterior.
Among the four, the Gu Cai stood out the most, generously filled with fragrant chives and dried shrimp. The Mang Guang was another favourite, offering flavours that reminded me of a well-made popiah filling.
The Yam and Peanut versions were enjoyable too, though the former two left a stronger impression.
To end the meal, I washed everything down with a glass of Silk HK Style Milk Tea (RM10.90). Smooth, creamy, and refreshing, it struck a nice balance between rich milkiness and robust tea flavour — exactly what a good Hong Kong-style milk tea should be.
Who Empat Sekawan is best for
With its spacious layout, soaring ceilings, and warm ambience, Empat Sekawan’s Kota Damansara is particularly well-suited for family meals, catch-ups with friends, small celebrations, or even casual business lunches. At the same time, the relaxed atmosphere also makes it a comfortable spot for a quick weekday meal when you’re in the area.
How to get there?
The outlet is best accessed by car, as there are currently no direct public transport options within walking distance. Parking is available on-site, though finding a spot can be challenging during peak meal hours, so it’s worth planning accordingly.
Do we recommend Empat Sekawan?
Yes. While not every dish was a standout, Empat Sekawan offers a comfortable dining experience, a diverse menu, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to linger a little longer. If you’re around Kota Damansara and looking for a cosy place that feels casual yet slightly elevated, it’s a worthwhile stop for your next meal.
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The post Empat Sekawan: This Penang-born cafe serves nasi lemak with syiok sambal petai, XL fish noodles, cai kuih & HK-style milk tea appeared first on SETHLUI.com.