I had some great eats and some subpar eats in Malaysia. Starting at the top are the delicious and memorable. Then the bottom rounds out the ones that were far less impressive but I am still blessed that it filled my belly and substained the need of nutrients.
Grumpy Bagel –
By fate, I had opened instagram that morning and encountered a post about the hard work and soul the owner put in her bagel restaurant and her 2nd location that just opened. A few hours later, at 12:30p on a Monday, I arrived and it was packed! Great to see her business thriving.The original was closer to my location even though I would’ve loved to see the new location that is based in a renovated diesel room.
Was difficult to choose what to order from so many good options on the menu but I landed on the Aloha chicken bagel sandwich. Included a hawaiian grilled chicken thigh paired with roasted pineapples, spicy mayo, sun dried tomatoes, melted cheddar on toasted bagels. Now this is creativity! Or Love seeing the creativity in a menu. A masterpiece accompanied with fries and a japanese spiced dipping sauce. Of course, knowing me, I had to try a refreshing beverage. The coconut matcha was so real. The flavor lingered on my tongue after every sip, leaving a great smooth earthy matcha flavor with a very subtle coconut flavor. Delicious!
The staff was great and plenty so they were not over-worked or running around to complete everything ( which often is the case in the U.S.). They were able to give great service and create excellent dishes and beverages. Like most restaurants in Malaysia, the place had great natural light which complimented the simple yet elegant aesthetic. I would highly recommend!
NALE – The Nasi Lemak Company, Midvalley
This was a lovely surprise! I went in expecting the food to be cultural and yummy but wow! Every bite was a sink-in-your-seat-it’s-so-good bite. Explosions of flavor and they all worked together like they were made for each other.
My dish included beef in a curry sauce with a few pieces of eggplant, cucumber, a boiled egg and a scoop of rice. There was chili sauce on the side to spice it up to your liking. I had not experienced Malaysian cuisine until this dish. The cultural combinations was a mixture I was not ready for. The curry was familiar, similar to thai curry, yet not on the nose. The beef was so tender and had a flavor that was indian inspired. The addition of eggplant where the curry soaked into the vegetable and was magical. I did add some chili paste to add a touch of that flavor but mostly, I savored every drop as it was. My meal was accompanied by a unique drink, Bandung Cincan with longan and when you google it… is a popular, refreshing Malaysian iced drink. Variant of the traditional Sirap Bandung (rose syrup with milk) that includes added black grass jelly (cincau) for texture……. And refreshing it was. Great, light rose flavor with around 7 longan pieces. Another pleasant surprise, as in America you usually would be lucky to have 3 in your drink. I was able to snag a seat outside and the atmosphere was cute and welcoming. I went to this restaurant twice during my trip and delicious both times. I would easily give this restaurant a 10/10.
1919 Restaurant
This place is a little hole-in-the-wall and was excellent! From the amazing customer service and friendliness, to the simply delicious food, this place was memorable. I wish I had discovered this restaurant sooner. I ordered the Philippines eggplant (eggplant fries) and a veggie and tofu dish. The tofu was cooked on the outside, and soft on the inside; what a delicacy.Th e eggplant fries were a nice light batter and crispy and drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce. I also got a chinese tea and everytime the employees noticed I finished that cup, they would refill my cup even though they had placed the teapot on the table already. I observed them doing this with all the tables. Throughout the experience, I could feel that they genuinely wanted me to enjoy the food. Which I certainly did. I would give a 9/10 and would recommend!
Little Penang Kafe ( located in Suria Mall)
I ordered 2 dishes to taste. A pad thai with duck eggs & a rice dish with Nasi Lemak Penang Chicken. Both had excellent flavors. To my surprise, the duck eggs were slimy but overall good and them being in a delightful pad thai helped. The flavors in the chicken rice dish were fantastic! That was the best meal of the two. It had fantastic flavors atop a tender chicken. Accompanied with a hard-boiled egg, dried chicken flakes and fish chips. I still drool thinking of the meal. YUM. I would recommend 10/10. The place was busy and they were organized and the food was definitely worth the wait.
Makamakan
This place had a fun atmosphere, an indoor/outdoor style where you are seated inside though there is no front door, it’s just an open concept. I ordered two dishes to try; the Makamakan Mee Kari Ayam & Tofu Goreng ( Yellow noodles in rich curry broth with chicken strips and tofu puffs) and a Nasi chicken dish. The restaurant has a western menu and a malaysian menu. I am SO glad I selected from the malaysian menu. The flavors were mixing together like a beautiful piece of art. Each bite was savored. Would recommend 9/10.
Grand Taipei – Taiwanese cuisine (located in the Midvalley Megamall)
The braised pork rice dish with a wintermelon tea was flavorful. It was accompanied by a cabbage soup that was very complimentary to the meal. The entire meal was filling and included so many different flavors and textures. Would recommend 9/10.
Great pictures of all different foods. Sorry might have to pass. Like pictures of the eating places!! Still hard to find the pictures. Keep the pictures coming.