10 Best Malaysian Restaurants In London
Malaysian cuisine is an underrated but vibrant part of London’s dining ecosphere. With fiery, wildly flavoursome food stemming from Malay, Chinese, Indian and more influences, London has some big names as well as some underrated gems.
From one of our favourite new openings of the past few years and a legendary Queensway market icon to late night Chinatown recommendations, here’s our pick of the 10 best Malaysian restaurants in London.
Mambow
A true labour of love: Mambow has gone from Peckham pop-up to a permanent East-London restaurant thanks to a fiercely loyal fanbase and incredible food from Chef Abby Lee. Based on the Malaysian cuisine of Lee’s childhood, it has become one of London’s most talked-about and coveted spots.
The menu changes regularly with chalkboard-written specials, but favourites like umai (Sarawak-style ceviche), black pepper curry chicken, and red curry prawn toast are staples. A must-visit.
where: 78 LOWER CLAPTON RD, LOWER CLAPTON, LONDON E5 0RN
website: www.MAMBOW.CO.UK
Satay House
So good it’s been going for over 50 years, making it (by far) the oldest restaurant on this list. They’ve recently opened a sister restaurant (more on that later in the list), but the original still remains a classic, pushing Londoners’ food boundaries since 1973.
Try the Ayam Lemak Cili Api, with chicken in coconut, tumeric, lime, lemongrass and bird’s eye chilli, the kari laksa and Nasi Campur, a choice of chicken curry, fish curry, lamb curry or beef rendang served with steamed rice, sambal belacan, salted fish and stir fried vegetables.
where: 13 Sale Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 1PX
website: www.satayhouse.com
C&R Cafe
Nowhere in London is as hit or miss as Chinatown. You might stumble into one of London’s true hidden gems, or a restaurant so desperate you think money laundering is the only explanation. C&R Cafe is firmly in the latter category, full of fiery, spicy, vibrant traditional Malaysian dishes.
From Penang curry and the iconic Singapore laksa to nasi lemak and Teochew braised pork belly, this is hearty, joyful eating you can walk into deep into the night.
where: 4-5 Rupert Ct, London W1D 6DY
website: www.cnrcaferestaurant.com
Roti King
Serving up a mix of Malaysian and Singaporean-style street food, Roti King is revered in London for its intense flavour combinations and small prices.
Signature dishes include seafood kari laksa packed with noodles, seafood and chicken in a coconut curry broth; and their nasi lemak, a steamed coconut rice dish with peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber, egg, sambal and spiced fried chicken. Expect some fiery heat packed into every bite.
where: Euston, Battersea & Spitalfields
website: www.rotiking.com
Normah’s
A proper hidden gem that you feel lucky exists in London. Normah’s is a small, family restaurant tucked away in Queensway market, run by eponymous cook and owner Normah.
Nicknamed ‘the iron lady’, Normah’s cooking is the stuff of legend – intensely flavourful, spicy and imaginative, this is one of the most affordable London bucket list restaurants that everyone should try.
A proper hidden gem you feel lucky exists in London
where: 23, 25 Queensway, London W2 4QJ
website: www.normahs.com
Rasa Sayang
Bearing the title of a Malaysian folk song, ‘Rasa Sayang’ literally translates to ‘loving feeling’. Having opened its doors with the aim of bringing an authentic taste of Malaysian and Singaporean culinary heritage to London, the backbone of its menu is made up of colourful, traditional dishes, including excellent nasi lemak and Singapore chilli crab.
Particular pride rests with made-from-scratch selections such as Kueh Pie Tee. These delicate, crispy shells filled with chicken, dried shrimp and fresh turnip are unique to Rasa Sayang and can be found in a few places in London.
where: 5 Macclesfield St, London W1D 6AY
website: www.rasasayangfood.com
Sudu
From the same team behind Satay House comes Sudu, a family-run Malaysian spot in Queen’s Park. Must orders here are the nasi lemak with coconut rice with sambal, cucumber, peanut, fried anchovies, and boiled egg, the laksa with nyonya coconut broth noodles, prawn, boiled egg, chicken, puff tofu and beansprout, and the beef rendang, four-hour braised beef in galangal, lemongrass and coconut chilli.
where: 30 Salusbury Road, Queens Park, London, United Kingdom NW6 6NL
Shambal Shiok
Owner Mandy Yin founded Sambal Shiok back in 2013 in Islington, and it has gone from strength to strength since then.
Of course, Laksa is a must here – their signature laksa is based on a ‘Campur’ style laksa found in Malacca, a cross between Kuala Lumpur’s curry laksa and Penang’s fiery assam laksa. Start with either a mild or hot broth, and customise from there.
where: 171 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX
website: www.shambalshiok.co.uk
Laksamania
The brainchild of Chef Danny Tan, hailing from Malaysia, Laksamania prides itself on faithful renditions of classic laksa variants, and its take on iconic street food wok-fried dishes like Char Kway Teow and Wat Dan Hor. They also have a dedicated vegan menu that they take very seriously, so it’s great for big groups.
From the peppery and creamy Ipoh curry laksa and the hot and sour Melaka curry, to the world-famous Singapore Curry Laksa, this is the ultimate spot destination in London to explore the street food favourite.
Laksamania prides itself on faithful renditions of classic laksa variants, and its take on iconic street food
where: 92 Newman St, London W1T 3DT
website: www.laksamania.co.uk
Putera Puteri
Queensway’s Putera Puteri features a traditional selection of kuih-muih, Nasi Lemak, and Nasi Campur, and whether you’re a seasoned Malaysian food lover or a curious explorer of new tastes, this restaurant is the ideal destination. Try their speciality, the Roti Sarang Burung – a Malaysian comfort food usually served with dalcha, curry or sambal, often a mixture as a side dish.
where: 179 Queensway, London W2 5HL
website: www.puteraputeri.com
