5 restaurants to try for genuine Malaysian food in India

Across Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, and Amritsar, these restaurants are getting Malaysian food right

Looking for a pan-Asian restaurant in India that is true to the flavours of the country it’s promising to represent? There’s no dearth of restaurants, but finding one that ticks all the right boxes and transports you to the land of laksa or to the bustling night market of Langkawi, can often feel like a task.

While there’s an increasing Indianisation of cuisines from around the globe to make them more palatable to Indian tastebuds, logistic issues like sourcing indigenous ingredients can also further the dilution of nuanced flavours, which, some chefs specialising in Malay cuisine have found a way around.

Here are five restaurants that are determined to deliver authentic Malay cuisine, among other Southeast Asian dishes.

Bumipura, Mumbai

If you’re on the lookout for some bar bites and drinks that are reminiscent of classic Malay dishes, this restaurant/cocktail bar, nestled in Lower Parel’s Kamala Mills, is the one to try.

One of their many standout dishes—the nasi balls—is packed with complex flavours of the classic nasi lemak, with fluffy rice that has soaked up the creaminess of coconut milk, all in a single bite. You can also try their beer-infused satay skewers or silky kaya toast, a humble Malaysian breakfast favourite topped with coffee-infused liquor. For those wanting to stick to familiar renditions, the restaurant offers eight classic main dishes, including Laska Ramen, Hainanense Chicken Rice, and Kampung Fried Rice.

Malay flavours also inspire the eatery’s cocktails. One example is The Old Hen. Who knew chicken-infused vodka and chicken floss would be a sought-after combination? Other Malaysian dishes and drinks (including mocktails) on the menu also reinvent classic Malaysian fare.

Kopitiam Lah, Bengaluru

If a Michelin-starred restaurant is out of reach, maybe try a restaurant with a menu developed by Chef Darren Teoh, who is the chef-patron of Malaysia’s first two Michelin-starred restaurants.

A take on the omnipresent coffee shops (kopitiams) in Malaysia, Koptiam Lah in Bengaluru, headed by pastry expert Chef Joonie Tan and Chef David D’Souza, aims to bring everyday Malay meals to India.

You will find the otak otak—a fish custard preparation steamed in banana leaves—the classic roti canai-curry combination, and other dishes familiar to those who want to experience Malaysian food in India like they did on their vacation. Among the beverages, you can try their kopi, which is made in-house using a Hainanese roast.

It’s not just the dishes but also the interiors of Kopitiam Lah that will transport you to Malaysia. Their cutlery features hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia, and geometric tiles and wooden stools are placed among decor sourced from local flea markets in Malaysia. The interiors impart an authentic glimpse of how Malay coffee is typically enjoyed.

Nasi and Mee (Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi)

Did you know that ‘Nasi and Mee’ translates to ‘rice and noodles’? A popular spot for Malay dishes like nasi goreng and nasi lemak, this award-winning restaurant chain also offers other Malaysian delicacies that are yet to percolate the Indian food scene.

You will find Chendol—Malaysia’s beloved ice-based jelly dessert—in a unique beverage form. For those looking for hawker-style food, the mamak mee goreng (spicy stir-fried noodles with bean sprouts and tofu) and char kway teow (wok-fried flat noodles with veggies) are must-tries. A fourth-generation Malaysian, Ravindran Nahappan, started the restaurant to create something around Indians’ love for rice (Nasi) and noodles (Mee), and it should be on your list when travelling to any of the three cities.

Pandan Club, Chennai

A Malaysian feast at Pandan Club, including cinnamon roti, and other dishes, Pandan Club fuses cooking methods and culinary traditions from Chinese, Indian, and Malay cuisines to bring to its patrons Peranakan food, which is primarily found in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They emphasise the local sourcing of authentic ingredients from Southeast Asia, such as pandan leaves, jasmine rice, and keluak (black nut, which is used to flavour broths and gravies). Their mocktail menu also features native ingredients like galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and pandan. The restaurant’s dessert menu includes refreshing takes on classic Malay cuisine, such as the Kaya Tres Leches, Cinnamon Roti, and Pandan ice cream.

Shiso, Amritsar

Chicken tikka and chicken satay together? An Asian bar and kitchen that stands out among traditional eateries, Shiso offers some classic Malay dishes. Along with Banh Mi from Vietnam, sushi from Japan, street-style roast chicken from Thailand, and a host of pizza and pasta varieties (and, of course, some Punjabi cuisine), you will find nasi goreng, nasi lemak, a Penang-style salmon curry with Malaysian rice, and laksa nyonya. The menu also includes Indonesian delicacies that are a part of Malay cuisine, such as roti canai and lamb rendang. Their cocktail menu, though not Malay-forward, features experimental drinks like the Broken Heat Sangria, a concoction of orange and cranberry paired with rosé wine, and Trippy Fungi, a mushroom-based beverage.

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