LONDON, June 9 — It would appear that Penang isn’t the only place which has a Rasa Sayang… there is one in London too! Situated in the heart of Chinatown just off Shaftsbury Avenue, this restaurant in Macclesfield Road, as its name would imply, has been serving Malaysian food to Londoners since 2008.
Started by Ipoh boy Teddy Chen, it appears to be quite popular, if the lau juak (cheerful) atmosphere emanating from the lunchtime crowd was anything to go by.
“We get a mixed clientele,” the affable Anglo Chinese School old boy told me when we met there recently. “Malaysians and Singaporeans come for the Nasi Lemak, Chicken Rice and Char Kuey Teow,” he said. “Matt Sallehs like that too, but surprisingly enough, they also like our Curry Laksa!”
The surprisingly large menu — Chen claims to be the first halal restaurant in Chinatown — lists reasonably-priced old favourites, not just the aforementioned items but also many other dishes including Ipoh Hor Fun, Roti Canai with Chicken Curry and even Yao Yee Ong Choi, complete with kangkong and sauce.
Chicken rice (left) and a generous portion of Beef Rendang (right). — Picture by Helen Ong
There’s a special “Heat Zone” section dedicated to spicier dishes — although this is probably more useful to Brits than us — and a three-course set meal for just £13.90 (RM75) which is still quite reasonable considering the generous portions and how much prices have gone up in the past few years.
Chen, a former EMI executive, is also chairman of the Malaysian Restaurants Association (UK), a non-profit organisation formed in 2010 to promote and represent the interests of the 100 or so outlets which serve our popular South-East Asian cuisine in the UK.
Their first project was the successful Malaysian Pasar Malam held in collaboration with Matrade (Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation) which took place in Trafalgar Square in September of that year.
Twenty-two restaurants participated, together with a host of other Malaysian businesses. It has since become an annual event, helping to bring Malaysian food to Brits and tourists alike.
Although the association currently only has 26 members, they keep active. “We meet every so often to help Matrade and other organisations plan future events which showcase our cuisine,” Chen continued. The recent Malaysia Kitchen Spring Fair, held in London’s South Bank over May 3-4 this year, was another such undertaking.
You can even get that ubiquitous Penang snack of sotong kangkong here at Rasa Sayang. — Picture by Helen Ong
That’s not all they do though. “We’d like to see more Malaysian restaurants open up here, so we try to help those who want to do so by giving them advice and contacts.”
With a mine field of strict rules and regulations to negotiate, there is a lot to think about. “One has to consider the labour laws, health and safety regulations; did you know there are three levels to pass: local authorities, what to order, how much stock to hold…. the list is endless!” he said.
One of the biggest headaches facing any Malaysian restaurateur here, Chen claims, is getting a good chef. Immigration policies have been tightened up, and it is getting more and more difficult to bring them in.
Be that as it may, luckily for Chen, his chef Cheong, whose job it is to create as authentic a makan as possible, has been with him since the place opened. Originally from Kuala Lumpur, he comes with good credentials having come from in the kitchens of Genting Highlands where he worked for many years.
What better way to round off a good Malaysian meal than with a good Malaysian dessert, and I was particularly impressed with the cendol which comes complete with shaved ice and a generous splash of brown gula Melaka atop, one of their best-sellers.
Everything is made in situ, and there’s even bee ko moi, ondeh ondeh and ais kacang as well. Little wonder then that in 2013 Rasa Sayang Restaurant was listed by Metro, one of the largest read publications distributed free in this great city, as one of their top five Malaysian cheap eats in London. Teddy is currently looking for new premises to open another outlet.
Rasa Sayang Restaurant
5 Macclesfield Street
London W1D 6AY
Tel: +44 2077 341382
Opening Hours: Noon to 11pm daily
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