KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 -- There are so many variations on nasi lemak these days, from nasi lemak flavoured ice cream to nasi lemak sushi.

More often than not, these wacky creations are meant to draw attention though sometimes it's flak they receive instead. Eventually (inevitably, some might argue) the novelty wears off and the hordes make a beeline for the Next New Shiny Thing.

Not all reinventions are all bark and no bite, however. Some bear closer inspection and appreciation, such as the Nasi Lemak Pasta at The Dough Factory.

Much of it resembles the O.G., so to speak: sliced cucumber, fried peanuts and anchovies, a hard boiled egg cut into half. Even the presence of a whole fried chicken leg isn't unusual. The addition of sambal sau...