Cafe Rasa Malaysia — Restaurant in London

Visiting this gem of a restaurant was like being transported straight to the bustling streets of Malaysia, thanks to the incredible skills of Chef Nahid and the impeccable service provided by Yazmin. From the moment we stepped in, we knew we were in for an extraordinary dining experience.

We started our culinary journey with the Nasi Lemak (Goreng Ayam). This traditional Malaysian dish was a revelation. The rice was perfectly infused with coconut milk and pandan leaf, creating a fragrant and creamy base. The fried chicken (Ayam Goreng) was crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. The sambal, with its perfect balance of heat and sweetness, added an extra layer of depth to every bite. The accompaniments - crunchy peanuts, crispy anchovies, boiled egg, and fresh cucumber slices - provided a delightful contrast in textures, making each mouthful an explosion of flavours.

The Nasi Goreng (Vegetarian) was equally spectacular. The fried rice was packed with vibrant vegetables, each retaining its crunch and freshness. The seasoning was spot on, with just the right amount of soy sauce and a hint of smokiness from the wok. It was hearty, flavourful, and satisfying - a perfect vegetarian option that did not compromise on taste.

As a side, we indulged in the Chicken Satay. These skewers were nothing short of sensational. Grilled to perfection, the chicken was succulent and the marinade had permeated through every bite, delivering a smoky, slightly sweet flavour. The accompanying peanut sauce was rich and creamy, with a hint of spice that complemented the satay beautifully. It was an irresistible dish that showcased Chef Nahid’s mastery over Malaysian street food.

To complete our meal, we enjoyed the traditional Ice Teh Tarik. This pulled tea was a delightful refreshment, perfectly balancing the strong, robust flavours of tea with the sweetness of condensed milk. It was smooth, frothy, and served as a perfect end to our flavourful feast.

Yazmin, our server, was the epitome of excellent hospitality. Her warm smile and genuine enthusiasm for the food enhanced our dining experience. She was knowledgeable, attentive, and anticipated our needs without being intrusive and her recommendations were spot on. Yazmin’s friendly demeanour and professionalism matched the high quality of the food, making our evening even more enjoyable.

The ambience of the restaurant was cosy and inviting, with subtle decorations that paid homage to Malaysian culture. The setting was casual yet comfortable, making it a perfect spot for both a relaxed meal and a special occasion.

Our experience at this restaurant was nothing short of extraordinary. Chef Nahid’s culinary prowess and Yazmin’s exceptional service combined to create an unforgettable dining experience. Each dish was a testament to the rich and diverse flavours of Malaysian street food, and we left with our taste buds tingling and our hearts full. If you’re looking to embark on a culinary journey to Malaysia without leaving town, this is the place to be. Highly recommended, we will be...

Firstly me and my partner really liked (notice the past tense) this restaurant.

However today I got served a half raw roti, when I complained and asked for it to be cooked further or replaced they took the roti from my plate, then replaced it, still very raw, so I had a barely eaten fish curry left and nothing to eat it with.

At this point I could see the chefs looking at me and laughing and I felt quite fed up with the situation and just asked for a refund (as this cafe has a weird policy where you get table service but still have to pay up front). I was refused a refund, so I requested an exchange of two drinks, they said that is too valuable, and that I took too long to complain and said it had been 19 minutes, I’m not even sure which time frame she was referring to, as the food all came at very different times.

The manager after refusing me the two drinks said that actually this is the way roti is served, (doughy and raw). As I’m 3/4s Pakistani and my partner is both a chef and 1/2 Malay, we are both knowledgable of food such as roti, paratha, naan etc.. we know that roti should be golden and flaky not pale, and doughy. So I did not accept this answer, and instead said please, I can’t eat this, I like your restaurant but if you can’t even give me two drinks in exchange for a meal that I have not been able to eat much of, then I can’t come again and I’m leaving very unhappy, and she just said I’m being fair and again repeated, I’ll give you one drink.

My partner and I have been there at least five times but will never return and honestly although I like supporting local businesses over chains, for tasty, authentic Malay food I recommend you visit Roti King, don’t waste your time and money here.

As someone who has a wealth of customer experience I know how to treat people fairly and offer great service, while balancing commercial interests, the staff here clearly don’t know how to do either.

I didn’t take any photos originally because I had faith the restaurant staff would treat me fairly and offer helpful alternatives, a decision which...

What can I say. Cannot fault our time at Rasa Malaysia. We arrived late afternoon, about 4:40pm, after enquiring and being informed that they close at 6pm on Sundays and take last orders until 5:30pm.

It was starting to quieten down, so we had no problem being seated. The waiter and counter staff were super efficient, very friendly, and attentive, which we appreciated after a long day on our feet.

The food was served promptly, and it was nice and warm without being piping hot. We weren't very hungry so just opted for the roti canai (served with dahl curry). I ordered two roti's. My partner ordered the roti canai, but with the chicken curry as a side. She had hers as takeaway. I finished mine whilst seated. It was so flavourful and yummy, so impressed. We haven't been to Rasa in a very long time as we don't live in London, so we only come to Westfields Stratford on the odd occasion.

My son just had a roti as he absolutely loves rotis and chapatis. He gave his roti a 10.5 out of 10. He was impressed. I rate my little meal an 8.8 out of 10. The 1.2 missing was twofold (not a huge problem), I do prefer my rotis to be the traditional round shape and not square. Though it was huge, the shape just didn't do it for me. I guess I am a traditionalist. Secondly, the rotis were a bit overcooked...a bit too crispy. I remember the last time we ate here, and I recall the shape wasn't square, and it was prepared a little lighter, so a bit doughy (only slightly), which meant it was softer and fluffier. Today, it was not quite to my exact taste, but I suppose others may prefer it this way. Comes down to personal taste.

Overall, I am quite happy with the money spent at Rasa and certainly would recommend Rasa Malaysia 🇲🇾 to others whose palete yearns for some wholesome Malaysian inspired street food. You won't be disappointed. Next time we are in the area, we will try other items on the menu...there is quite a lot to choose from and it all...