The best Malaysian restaurants in London

Within a small space, 7 Floor Malaysian Tea Room packs a punch in flavour. The set up is reminiscent of a hawker stall, clad in stainless steel and lined with large pots bubbling with rich broths. The cutlery and serving dishes are all nods to the hawker stalls in Malaysia, and add a visceral punch of nostalgia to the offerings.

With dishes such as assam laksa, prawn mee, and rendang, 7 Floor Malaysian Tea Room is serving up classic comfort dishes with a truly authentic taste. With arguably the best assam laksa and prawn mee in London, it’s a frequented spot by Malaysians who crave the taste of home. From the depth and complexity of broths, you know there were no shortcuts taken—it’s truly a labour of love. 

7 Floor Malaysia Tea Room, 78 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AR, United Kingdom

Founder and chef Mandy Yin was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, then moved to London and opened up Sambal Shiok, not only successful in her restaurant business, she is also an acclaimed cookbook author. Yin is a prominent voice within the hospitality industry, and passionate about serving good food to good people. 

With Peranakan Nyonya heritage, she uses the background of this incredible cuisine and puts a personal touch on it. Sambal Shiok is ranked highly on the Time Out London list of 50 best restaurants in London, and serves up classic, rich laksa broths, and rendang that mimics the taste of home.

Sambal Shiok, 171 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX, United Kingdom

An institution for Malaysian food in London, Satay House is overflowing with history with over 50 years of operations behind them.

Still maintaining their standings within the realm of Malaysian food in London, this is a restaurant frequented by locals and tourists alike. A romantic cosy location just off Edgware Road, the family-run establishment of three generations brings Malaysian hospitality to the table with great food. Get classics such as nasi goreng and nasi campur, served in hearty portions that fill not only the stomach but the heart. 

Satay House, 13 Sale Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 1PX, United Kingdom

In the comfortable neighbourhood of Queen’s Park sits Sudu, a cosy spot to get a classic Malaysian fare without fuss. The sister restaurant of Satay House, it’s a more laid back, airy spot to get a casual yet hearty meal. 

If you catch them on a good day, you’ll find packs of nasi lemak bungkus by the counter, along with an array of kuih to take home. With other classic breakfasts such as kaya butter toast with half boiled eggs, roti canai, and many more, it’s a great source of comfort without having to deal with the crowd of the city centre. Plus, they have ABC!

Sudu, 30 Salusbury Rd, London NW6 6NL, United Kingdom

The classic spot to get roti canai, Roti King has come far from their humble beginnings in Euston, where queues were out the door on a nightly basis. 

With classic rotis and fare you’d find at a mamak, elevated, it’s not a surprise Malaysians flock here en masse to have a taste. Now Roti King has expanded into four different locations across London, and it’s become an easy recommendation for folks looking for Malaysian food. Get some roti canai or murtabak with a choice of dahl, kari ayam, rendang, chicken, and mutton curry.

Roti King, multiple locations, including Euston, Battersea, Waterloo, and Spitalfields

A venture by Roti King, Gopal’s Corner focuses on Tamil cuisine within Southeast Asia. Think of all your banana leaf rice and rotis. Usually you will find Gopal’s Corner in food courts across London, but it doesn’t take away the authenticity of the food. 

Served with all the fix-ins of banana leaf rice you can find in Malaysia, including being served on a banana leaf, all of their meats and stews are laboured over, resulting in a tender, perfectly spiced bite. 

Gopal's Corner, multiple locations, including Victoria, Canary Wharf, Westfield White City, and Oxford Street

The iconic name of Med Salleh—a funny IYKYK reference for Malaysians in London—serves up delicious Malaysian street food like fried noodles, ayam percik, and ikan bakar. They also have some hard to find special dishes like nasi ganja, and grilled stingray.

Going off of their kopitiam concept, the restaurant celebrates the multicultural dining landscape of Malaysia, and highlights Indian, Chinese, and Malay influences within Malaysian cuisine.

Med Salleh, 35-39 Inverness Terrace, London W2 3JS, United Kingdom

Situated in what’s considered by Malaysians in London as the Little Malaysia, Normah’s is parked within Queensway amongst a slew of other Asian restaurants. 

Homecooked Malay food is the name of the game here, founded by Normah Abd Hamid who began in her kitchen cooking Malaysian food to remind her of home. The distinct aroma of the special herbs and spices used would pique the interest of neighbours whom Normah always welcomed with open arms. The meaning of food for Normah extends beyond a meal on the table, and reminds her of memories of her late father, who taught her how to cook. She uses this same passion in every plate served in her humble restaurant.

Normah's, 23, 25 Queensway, London W2 4QJ, United Kingdom

Within a hidden alley in Chinatown, C&R cafe is a hidden gem. Not only are they a small restaurant serving up delicious Malaysian gems such as fried mee hoon, bak kut teh, chicken rice and a plethora of other Chinese Malaysian dishes, they also sell traditional Nyonya kuih, a treat that comes few and far between in the big city. 

Grab a kuih to go and browse their shelves stocked with Malaysian favourites, such as Nestum, Maggi Kari, Mamee Monster, and Milo, this is the place to go to for nostalgia, flavour, and a stocked pantry.

C & R Cafe Restaurant, 4-5 Rupert Ct, London W1D 6DY, United Kingdom

NOW READ

It’s time to be surprised by these 8 most underrated foodie cities in Asia

‘No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski’: A docuseries of delicious anthropology

5 exciting tasting and feed-me menus to try in London