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If your taste buds can handle the heat, welcome to Peria!

At Peria, they don’t play when it comes to Negeri Sembilan flavors, which means spice levels are not for the faint-hearted. But don’t worry—if you’re like us and prefer to keep your tongue intact, just ask for a milder version. The chef’s pretty chill about it… well, for some dishes. But for others, you might just have to brace yourself and power through. So yeah, check before ordering unless you’re ready for a mini fire drill in your mouth!

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I found myself at Peria in Dash Box Hotel, Cyberjaya, for a meeting on the second day of Chinese New Year. Because, you know, nothing screams “productive discussion” like sweating over a plate of fiery masak lemak cili api. Oh, and if Cyberjaya feels too far for Shah Alam folks , don’t worry, you can get the same experience at their Bukit Jelutong branch.

Right out front, tables line the entrance with rattan pendant lamps, giving off a chill, open-air vibe. The green carpet and plants? Probably not just for aesthetics—but also to help calm diners after all that spice.

Inside, it’s spacious, with soft Malay music playing in the background. The white walls are decorated with framed photos of traditional Minang houses and their people in traditional attire and again, the rattan pendant lamps hanging from the ceilings.

Now, let’s talk about the real reason we’re here: the food. Negeri Sembilan cuisine? It doesn’t mess around. The state’s OG settlers were Minangkabau folks from Sumatra, who not only brought their culture and cool-looking houses but also an undying love for cili api. That means their signature dishes—rendang, daging salai, masak lemak cili api—all come with a generous serving of fire.

Peria sticks to this tradition, serving up Negeri Sembilan-style rendang, daging salai, and that dangerously addictive masak lemak cili api. If you love spicy food, welcome to paradise. If not… well, order with caution and maybe have a cold drink ready like I did.

You’ll find Ikan Bilis Kentang (anchovy and potato) under Sambal Cili Api in the menu. And if you’re wondering what that means—basically, it’s a warning label disguised as a dish name. Sambal Cili Api translates to bird’s eye chili gravy, which translates to prepare for a mouth explosion. At least, for me.

I know I said earlier you can request a milder version for some dishes, but yeah… not this one. No mercy here. The potato slices are fried perfectly. The anchovies are super crunchy, not the sad, chewy kind. But just one bite and I was questioning all my life choices.

Spicy food lovers, this one’s calling your name. And if you think you’re really tough, go ahead and add petai (aka stinky beans) for an extra oomph. A perfect combo of spiciness, funk and deliciously nutty flavor. Just… don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I love eggplants, so imagine my relief when I found out I could request a less spicy version of this dish. Negeri Sembilan food usually comes with a side of pain, and honestly, I wasn’t ready to cry over my meal.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Just because it’s “less spicy” doesn’t mean it’s all rainbows and butterflies. The heat is still very much there—just at a level where I don’t feel personally attacked. The eggplants are perfectly soft, slightly sweet, and creamy, just how I like them. Throw in some crispy anchovies and a punchy shrimp paste, and boom—love at first bite.

Safe to say, this dish now has my whole heart… as long as it doesn’t try to burn my tongue off.

This right here is Masak Kicap—basically, Malay-style soy sauce with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, chili, and whatever protein you fancy. In this case, we’ve got Ayam Masak Kicap, aka chicken swimming in that sweet-salty goodness.

If you have kids, or just someone in your life who thinks a little bird’s eye chili is spicy, this one’s a safe bet. But if you’re here for the full Peria experience, order it as is—with cili api. Trust me, that fiery kick balances out the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce perfectly.

Not into spice? No worries. Even without cili api, this dish is still a winner. Guaranteed delicious—zero tears required.

Asam Pedas—spicy, sour, and guaranteed to make you sweat. This dish is made with homemade chili paste, tamarind, citrus leaf, lemongrass, ginger, and garlic, then cooked with okra—traditionally with fish, but it works just as well with chicken, beef, or seafood.

And what do we have here? Asam Pedas Tetel, the less spicy version made especially for us.

Now, what exactly is tetel? Well, it’s beef… but with bonus fat attached. And depending on the dish, you might also get some soft tendon in there too. So yeah, if you’re into rich, melt-in-your-mouth textures, this one’s for you.

This isn’t your usual Melaka-style asam pedas. At Peria, true to their Negeri Sembilan roots, they throw in bunga kantan (torch ginger) for extra aroma and depth.

This might look like your average telur dadar, but trust me—it’s anything but. It’s fluffy yet rich, thick yet somehow crispy on the edges.

Ulam is basically our OG version of salad—fresh leaves, veggies, or fruits eaten raw or briefly soaked in hot water. It’s that simple. Back in the day, ulam was a must-have in Malay households, but now, everyone’s getting in on the goodness.

Today’s ulam lineup? Fresh cucumber, tomato, okra, and half a salted egg. And of course, no ulam is complete without sambal belacan (shrimp paste with chili)

Are we even having a Malay meal if there’s no rice? Against my better judgment, I scoop some onto my plate—despite being severely allergic to it. But honestly, how could I say no to a steaming, aromatic, fluffy bowl of rice?

If you’re planning a trip to Peria and want to strategize your meal (or mentally prepare for the spice levels), here’s the menu for you!

There are two Peria restaurants as of now, and here are the deets!

Peria, D’Bayu Bukit Jelutong

Address: 11-G, Pusat Perniagaan D’Bayu, Jalan Serambi U8/24, Bukit

Jelutong, Shah Alam, Malaysia

Hours : Opens Daily 11.00am – 10.00pm

Phone: +60 14-206 8618

Peria, dash Box Hotel Cyberjaya

Address: Persiaran APEC, Cyber 8, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor

Hours: Opens Daily 11.30am – 10.30pm

Phone: 012-387 1712

This review is completely unsponsored and am sharing my honest experience—no freebies, no filters, just my thoughts! Just a quick heads-up: some of the links in this blog are affiliate links. Clicking on them won’t cost you anything extra, but if you make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission that helps keep this blog going. Thanks for the support, and happy reading!

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