Malaysian food, hmmmm. I’m not really sure what Malaysian food is as I assume it’s a combo of many different styles, cultures, and cuisines. I ain’t no Asian persuasion, but we had no problem enjoying our meal here over the weekend after trying it out the first time. We dug right in and ordered up some delicacies of the land. I’ll attest to it being pretty darn delicious!
Malaysia Grill is one of those no-nonsense little Asian spots that pump out some pretty tasty food. Just a small spot with the all too familiar cookie cutter Asian restaurant look, but clean and cozy. As soon as we sat down I ordered a Singha beer and looked over the large menu of food choices. Seemed like a heavily Chinese food influenced menu with a mix of Indian, Thai, and Pan-Island influence. South east Asian maybe? Had to go with a few of the standouts that I had read about on other reviews.
Roti Canai – terrifically satisfying as a starter. That lightly grilled, soft and fluffy pancake bread thingie dipped into the sauce is like crack!
Malaysian Assorted Satay (Chicken & Beef) – it was ok. Kind of a fun if forgettable appetizer. I had to give it a shot. The beef satays were quite large though.
Mango Chicken – comes served in a hollowed out mango shell. Terrific presentation and delicious. Full of mango slices, onions, peppers, and white meat chicken.
Chicken Nenas (Pineapple Chicken) – comes served in a hollowed out pineapple shell. Again, fanciful presentation and delicious. Full of pineapple chunks, onions, peppers, and white meat chicken.
We both had the Coconut Rice with our main plates and it was a staple that did not disappoint.
You can tell this is a solid little locals spot as it filled up quickly. The prices are reasonable and actually on the cheap side. The food is tasty and prepared hot and fresh. The place is clean including the bathroom. Service is ok if a bit hurried and indifferent. Lots of cheap lunch specials too. Many choices on the menu, including vegetable plates for those vegans out there.
Bottom line –
Malaysian food is tasty food.
Decent prices.
Ok service.
Great place for a south-east Asian food fix.
Yeah, Malaysia Grill is the kind of place that we would drop back in again if in the area. We’re easy to please. Tasty and cheap can’t go wrong!
Malaysia Grill –
http://www.yelp.com/biz/malaysia-grill-new-york?sort_by=date_desc
Ok, Phil, I’m so totally picky when it comes to food from other cultures and a bit squeamish. I have to say that even if the pictures look GROSS you make it sound delicious and at least worth a shot if I’m ever in NYC. On the bright side, there is the veggie stuff so I can avoid the mystery meat. 😛
I really like the way you write reviews, by the way.
Hey Dream!
Sometimes even the grossest and messiest food is the most delicious!
Thanks for the kind word on my review writing. I try to keep it real! I ain’t no food snob! 🙂
Mango.
Chicken.
Yowsa!
That is all.
Hey Fearless!
I think almost everything tastes like chicken!
why is that after reading one of your posts, I am hungry? I agree with Insomniac’s Dream – it sounds darned good. Spring begins tomorrow with the vernal equinox at 11.57 AM local,. but for you it is an hour later @12.57 PM and I can hardly wait…. I hope the springtime equinox brings you a great day
Hey Clay!
My blog instills hunger and the need to feed!
Let’s hope the Spring makes up for this long cold winter!
I’ve never tried Malaysian food before, sounds good!
Hey Emily!
I never had it before this either, and it was pretty good! I get to try everything here in NYC!
Wow Phil… The food seems yummy and exotic…
Sending you my best wishes, Aquileana 🙂
Hey Aquileana!
Exotic is a good word for it. Seems like a combination of cultures. Tasty stuff!
I totally need to learn how to make a pancake bread thingie. Oh, and dipping sauce that’s like crack!
Hey Karen!
That thingie was like crack dipped into liquid deliciousness! Oh god!
That mango chicken looks amazing. The pineapple’s not too bad looking either.
Hey SMD!
The combo was surprisingly delish! Not a mango fan but I finished it off and licked out the bowl!
Unfortunately for us, we lived in Thailand for four years before we landed in Malaysia for nine. We enjoyed Malaysian food, but felt it couldn’t compare to Thai. Having said that roti was a breakfast staple and you can’t go wrong with mango. Good to hear you’ll return.
Hey Shelley!
Wow – that is very cool. I love Thai food too. Lucky here in NYC there has been a sort of Thai food explosion here. So many great spots to eat it now.
Hmm, i have huge curiosity now for pancake crack thingy! I applaud your adventurous part of you for trying something you’re not sure about. The mango and the pineapple chicken sound delicious. I love coconut rice and had it last year in Vancouver. Oh my mouth is watering.
Hey Holli!
Heck, living in NYC we are exposed to so many types of foods from all over the world. My wallet is shrinking and my belly is expanding!
Great review! sounds yummy…I’ve never tried it, but I definitely would. I’m always starving after reading your posts! grrrrr
Hey Beth!
I love leaving a woman hot and starving for more! 😉
I want
I need
I must have the Mango Chicken to devour and lick and love!! x
Hey Kim!
My, that sounds kind of sexy! I need a cold shower now. 😉
Except for a Malaysian dessert I got from a Malaysian friend, I’ve never had Malaysian food. I guess I’ve been too absorbed in tasting all those delicious Thai dishes around (no credits left on my South East Asian cuisine account). Mango and chicken sounds nice though..
Hey Mitzie!
It’s a combination of many south east Asian styles I guess. I usually prefer Thai but this was a nice change of pace meal. Good stuff.
Hey Phil, this place looks really nice. Interestingly, I was at a food conference last week and one of the panel events on restaurant trends included a topic how Malaysian food will be among the next top cuisines to emerge in popularity. An added benefit is that you will already be in the know.
Hey Peggy!
It is a different type of cuisine that I don’t see much around here. Seems like I am ahead of the curve!
Awesome post! Gotta love Malaysian cuisine. I really like how they hollow out the shell for plating purposes.
Hey Katie!
I do like the presentation of those dishes. Makes it fun to eat!
Messy or not, tasty is where it’s at. Yum!
Hey Hazy!
Messy and tasty is fine with me! Love finding spots like this to try out.