The Gulai House — Restaurant in Langkawi Island

Want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at the Datai for showing my team such a great time in Teluk Datai and an outstanding Malaysian dinner. Stayed here in Jan 2022 after MCO and was so impressed by the service and food that when I returned to Langkawi this month I brought my group of 6 here for a celebratory last-night-in-Langkawi dinner.

We were greeted by a waiter who brought us a basin to wash our hands before we were served with drinks (Cuci Tangan). The wine menu is extensive and cocktails (Expresso Martini/Negroni) were perfect. The food was immaculate and the garnishings were gourmet. My group especially loved the Rendang, Tandoori Sampler, and Butter Chicken dish. The rendang was so rich and tender, cooked for 5 hours - kampung style. The desert was fantastic also, we all loved the Ketayap and Pisang Goreng. The plates are generous and perfect for sharing. For 3 appertizers, 4 mains, and 3 desserts, the food was extremely affordable for students considering the service, ambience, and location.

Thank you to Mr Azahari (Assistant F&B Manager) and Mr Fadlzy (Beach Bar) for showing us such Malaysian hospitality. Will always...

I left Langkawi two weeks ago, but even now, I still find myself reminiscing about the beef from that restaurant. The staff told us the beef is sourced fresh every day and slow-braised for five hours. Despite the long cooking time, the meat was incredibly tender, absorbing the perfect amount of sauce without losing its texture. The sauce, slightly sweet and savory, complemented the beef so well.

When I returned home, I tried to recreate the dish but couldn't find the same black sauce. It had a unique balance—slightly sweet, deeply savory, but not too salty. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t capture the same taste, and it made me appreciate the original even more.

I would genuinely make another trip to Langkawi just to have this dish again. This braised beef stands out like a brilliant star in Langkawi, a culinary gem that shines brightly against the backdrop of its beautiful beaches and clear blue waters. It's the kind of dish that makes the entire journey worthwhile, turning memories of a trip into something truly...

The Gulai House has been a celebrated feature of the Datai for many years. It now boasts a new location, having been moved, wooden posts and all, to a secluded forest location a short walk/buggy ride from the main hotel buildings. The food, a mixture of traditional Malay and Indian influences, is top-notch, prepared using age-old methods such as coal-fires, and the kampung-house setting is as beautiful as ever. There is an air-conditioned area, but the place to be is on the airy open verandah with views of the surrounding forest and into the tandoor kitchen. Compared with our visit a decade ago, the food now leans slightly more towards dishes from the Indian subcontinent, perhaps to reflect a growing clientele segment, but is well-integrated among other Malay dishes. The kerala-style fish curry was excellent, and went well with the Kedah-style Pajeri vegetable curry, as well as the Indian-style lamb. Excellent, friendly service and a beautiful setting. Not cheap by any standards, but quality is reflective...