Malaysia’s slogan, ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia, ‘ embraces its exciting myriad of cultures. The government created the tagline to attract tourists. Malaysia is incredibly diverse and the only Asian country with Asia’s three primary races, Malay, Chinese, and Indian. They also have a medley of other ethnic groups.
The exciting diversity and influences from neighbouring countries have impacted Malaysian food, forging a uniquely rich, spicy, sweet, and sour cuisine. If you want to experience a food journey on one menu, there are many excellent Malaysian restaurants in London.
The Best Malaysian Restaurants in London
To discover why Malaysian food is so distinct, check out our guide to five of the best Malaysian restaurants in London.
1. Roti King – Malaysian Street Food
Malaysian-born and raised Sugen Gopal, the chef, and founder of Roti King, opened his first restaurant in Euston in 2014. The diner had a modest opening with a lack of signage, making it unnoticed by many passers-by. It relied on word of mouth until a rave review in a newspaper placed Roti King as one of the best Malaysian restaurants in London.
The menu includes Roti Canai, a Malaysian flatbread with Indian roots. Freshly made, soft inside, and crispy edges, it comes with various dishes, including Chicken or Mutton Curry for £7.95, a fish curry for £7.50, and a vegetarian Dhal for £6.50.
The iconic roti also comes with a variety of fillings, chicken or lamb for £7.50, Egg for £5.00, and Spinach and Cheese priced at £6.75.
Roti Cani goes well with curries and dhals and for breakfast. They are also versatile for dessert, and Roti King serves Kaya, a sweetened version with coconut jam, for £4.95. Or Sweet Roti with condensed milk, priced at £4.50, popular in Malaysia.
Other well-known rice and noodle dishes, such as Rendang, Nasi Goreng, and Laksa, are on the menu.
Roti King’s popularity has grown significantly since 2014, and in 2022 Sugen opened a second restaurant in Battersea under the railway arches at Battersea Power Station.
It is best to arrive at Roti King Euston early as they do not take bookings. Queueing is common for lunchtime and evenings. They do offer a click-and-collect option for advance orders.
If you want authentic Malaysian food served at reasonable prices, add Roti King in London to your must-visit restaurants.
Address:
- Euston: 40 Doric Way, London, NW1 1LH
- Battersea: 16 Arches Lane, Battersea Power Station, London, SW11 8AB
Telephone:
- 020 4580 1282
- 020 4580 1282
Related: 5 Filipino Restaurants in London: Boodle Fight & Street Food
2. C&R Cafe Restaurant – Authentic Malaysian Cuisine
Rosa and her husband moved to the UK from Malaysia in 1998, and Rosa missed the taste of her native country’s food. Longing for traditional street food, such as Laksa and Char Kway Teo, Rosa decided to open C&R Cafe Restaurant.
Tucked away in a side street in the heart of Chinatown, C&R Cafe offers a fast-paced experience similar to the hawker centres in Malaysia and Singapore. Hawker centres originated in Singapore in the 1800s when immigrants saw an opportunity to set up stalls and sell fast, affordable street food. Today, they are part of Malaysian, Singaporean, and Hong Kong cultures.
Popular hawker dishes on C&R Cafe’s menu are Penang Assam Laksa and Singapore Laksa, both priced at £12.50.
Other authentic dishes are Nasi Lemak, rice cooked in coconut milk, served with peanuts, anchovies, eggs, and sambal, for £13.50
Char Kway Teow is one of Malaysia’s favourite noodle dishes, and C&R has it for £12.50. It comes with broad rice noodles, egg, prawn, fish cake, chives, and beansprouts.
C&R Cafe is an authentic Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown, London. It serves excellent food with generous portions at reasonable prices. Tables are only available for walk-in customers, and C&R gets busy. However, there is a quick turnover of tables, so waiting times are short.
Address: 4 Rupert Court, London, W1D 6DY
Telephone: 0207 434 1228
Related: 6 Best Teppanyaki Restaurants in London: Flaming Hot Picks
3. Laksamania – One of the Best Laksas in London
Chef Danny Tan from Malaysia has worked in many five-star kitchens mastering his skills in Malaysian, Chinese, and Thai cooking. Danny arrived in the UK in 1987 and continued advancing his career before opening Laksamania. He adds a unique pizzazz to many popular dishes, including his take on Laksamania Fried Chicken.
At Laksamania, you can enjoy the two main types of Laksa. One is the Malaysian coconut curry base, and the second is the Assam variety, which tastes sour and spicy. Laksamania adds a secret ingredient to their Laksas in the form of chicken stock cooked for at least eight hours.
For a hot and sour option, try the Melaka Curry Laksa, also for £15.50. It comes with shredded egg, seafood tofu, King prawns, and fish balls. There is a vegan option with a mushroom-based broth and tofu, with a mixture of vegan toppings for the same price of £15.50.
The Singapore Curry Laksa is a London favourite, again priced at £15.50. Egg, chicken, seafood tofu, King prawns, and fish balls are ingredients.
The Popular Penang Assam Laksa is £16.50 and includes flaked mackerel, chilli, pineapple, cucumber, and onion.
The Grand Laksamania Laksa with a Giant Grilled Prawn, weighing around 200g, is a restaurant’s signature dish at £25.95.
Laksamania’s Fried Chicken with the chef’s twist is available for £12.00. It comes served with fresh fruits and a creamy chilli sauce.
Laksamania has an extensive menu with tempting dishes at fair prices and generous portions. For one of the best laksa dishes in London, Laksamania has to be on the list. The restaurant is popular, and it is possible to book ahead.
Address: 92 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3EZ
Telephone: 020 7637 9888 / 020 7580 9255
Related: Halal Korean BBQ in London? Yes, Please! [Top 6 Places]
4. Normah’s – Traditional Malaysian With a Homely Touch
Founded by Normah Abd Hamid, Normah serves traditional Malaysian cuisine that Normah learnt from her father. One of thirteen children, Normah took on cooking to help her mother at 13 years old when her father died.
Today, cooking fills Normah with nostalgia and fond memories of gathering around the table and sharing recipes and stories. These feelings inspired Normah to open her restaurant and offer authentic Malaysian food.
For a starter, try Normah’s Acar Nenas, an authentic Malaysian salad with pineapple, cucumber and onion at £6.99.
A main fish course is Normah’s Assam Pedas Seabass, cooked with chilli and spices and served with steamed rice for £14.99.
A perfect choice is Normah’s Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang with noodles, egg and anchovies for £12.99 comes with steamed rice. Rendang is a slow-cooked dish in coconut milk and spices for a delicious, tender dish.
Vegan options include Normah’s Curry Laksa Vegan at £11.00, with tofu and vermicelli cooked with vegetables in coconut milk and Normah’s curry paste.
Normah’s offers a taste of Malaysian food in a relaxed and casual manner. The diner has a reputation as one of the best Malaysian restaurants in London, so it is advisable to make a reservation as the small cafe in Queensway Market in the Bayswater area gets extremely busy.
Address: Inside, 23 – 25 Queensway Market, Bayswater, London, W2 4QJ
Telephone: 07771 630828
Related: 5 Best Lobster Restaurants in London: King of the Sea Diners
5. Mamak Don – Malaysian Cuisine in Camden Town
The name Mamak Don comes from the Mamak food stalls in Malaysia. They are often open 24 hours a day, and some have a cafe-style layout. Mamak Don’s native chef from Southeast Asia brings authentic Malaysian street food to the table.
An aromatic starter is Ayam Goreng Berempah for £9.80, Malay fried chicken cooked in ginger and spices.
Kari Chicken is a popular curry dish at most Malaysian hawker centres. It is available for £13.80 and cooked with chillies, ginger, lemongrass, spices, and coconut milk.
Ikan Bakar with Sambal is £23.80, a whole grilled seabass with crispy skin coated with sambal and wrapped in a banana leaf.
A healthy vegetarian choice of Sayur Masak Lemak is £12.90, with vegetables cooked in fresh turmeric, coconut milk, chillies, and lemongrass.
Mamak Don serves great authentic Malaysian food in London. The small cafe has a lively vibe, and the staff are attentive and friendly.
Address: 9 Parkway, Camden Town, London, NW1 7PG
Telephone: 020 7482 3990
Tips to Enjoy Malaysian Food in London
- Where is the new spot for Malaysian favourites in London? Bayswater is a popular area for Malaysian restaurants. The district draws students and Malaysian travellers en route to other countries.
- What is one of the most famous dishes in Malaysian cuisine? Nasi Lemak is famous in Malaysia and considered by many to be the country’s national dish. Nasi Lemak translates to fatty or oily rice. In this dish, rice is cooked in coconut milk, giving it a creamy texture.
- What is the national drink of Malaysia? Teh Tarik, translating to ‘pulled tea,’ is a typical drink in Malaysia. It consists of black tea and condensed milk. Once the tea is boiling, tea makers pour the drink into another cup from a height of arm’s length, repeating the process several times until a frothy layer forms.