Malaysia Kopi Tiam

trishaduke

Authentic Malaysia Food 14th January 2009

2 found this helpful

First of all, the place is had to find since it doesn't have an address listed anywhere. We looked around the charing cross / shaftebury avenue area and couldn't find it easily and in the end decided to just forget it and then we accidentally found it. They should let people know that it is a short walk up the Charing Cross road from leicester square station.

Anyway, we have the Hainan Chicken Rice with Tea Tarik which is excellent. The best i ever have in London. It is exactly like what we have back in Malaysia. It seems that the restaurant is under new management and the service has improved. The prices is much cheaper that before and the variety is better.

kajangboy at 21/01/09

Had 'Assam Laksa' and what a surprised ! The best I ever had in London by a long way ! It had all the ingredients and spices to make this special dish including fresh mackerel fish. And, the smell of the fresh 'bunga kantan' alone is worthed paying the 10% service charge.

trishaduke at 05/02/09

i have the cantonese fried noodle and hubby have beef rendang and rice last week.

The fried noodle taste just like what i get in Kuala Lumpur but my husband say the rendang wasn't dry enough and not enough spices or kerisik. Could be better

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bellaphon

Excellent Malaysian 26th December 2008

2 found this helpful

All credit to samantha_tan for her review.

‘Kopi tiam’ is the Hokkien dialect for coffee shop and an important part of Chinese Malaysian culture where it’s the perfect rendezvous for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Malaysia Kopi Tiam (MKT) has stalled and started twice before, first at Wardour Street and then at Dean Street. Now third time lucky, I hope this new home of theirs is more permanent for the sake of the diners and of course MKT’s own ephemeral reputation. The new premises is located in perhaps the worst of all arcades (ironically for MKT as most of the past tenants here have been evidently short lived) ever designed in London or perhaps the world, it’s grim and totally loveless. There’s absolutely nothing chic about the dining room and the prefabricated ambience must have been included as part of the deal from Restaurants "R" Us. In line with most Malaysian eateries, you can expect a fair bit of acknowledgement and at least a smile from the waiting staff.

I’ve been here twice and also glad to report that the food here is indeed authentic and extremely good. The Curry Laksa (I’m au fait with the gravy being rich and thick) was to date the best I’ve had in London and it was also good to see that it came with proper chicken pieces on the bone and none of that bleached white and synthetic tasting breast meat. The noodle dish of Hokkien Mee (main components being thick yellow noodles fried and braised in thick dark soy sauce (and preferably loads of lard!)) is notoriously difficult to recreate, thankfully MKT has done a respectable job with this delicious offering from Kuala Lumpur. Nasi Lemak was another dish that made the mark, no obvious shortcuts, perfect chicken curry and proper coconut rice were duly observed. Other suggestions like Yong tau foo (Stuffed beancurd and veg), Kangkung (Water Convolvulus) fried in Belachan and Pig skin soup are not to be missed. Perusing the rest of menu is enough to make me feel hungry.

Generous portions and good value all-round. MKT is currently the best non-halal Malaysian in London.

NB For some strange reason MKT bill themselves as serving both Malaysian and Thai (!) cuisine, so it goes without saying; ignore the latter altogether and stick to the former.

samantha_tan

Authentic yummy Malaysian hawker food! 28th November 2008

2 found this helpful

Malaysia Kopi Tiam has opened and shut down in several different locations over the years, but I'm glad to say it has now reopened on Charing Cross Road and is dishing up amazing authentic food up to the standards of critical Malaysians like myself! :)

Char Kway Teow, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Goreng and handmade Hakka Mee are all gorgeous and come very highly recommended. I have also been told by friends that the Bak Kut Teh, Hokkien Mee and Cantonese Style Hor Fun are good too, and from what I've seen on nearby tables they certainly look the part!

One thing I would say to avoid is the Prawn Mee, which is far too clear and bland (the manager actually agreed when I mentioned this to him, saying they are unable to get enough prawn shells to make the soup rich and thick enough!). Also the Curry Mee was not really to my personal taste (I prefer it more liquid and with steamed shredded chicken, not actual Curry Chicken portions).

At the moment desserts are limited (only ice kacang) but I've been told they will expand it in future. In any case I am happy enough that grass jelly ("cincau" or "leong fun" in Chinese) is on the drinks menu.

At about £5.50 per dish, it's definitely a place for cheap authentic robust Malaysian food to satisfy those cravings!

samantha_tan

Reopened on Charing Cross Road! 28th November 2008

1 found this helpful

Malaysia Kopi Tiam has opened and shut down in several different locations over the years, but I'm glad to say it has now reopened on Charing Cross Road and is dishing up amazing authentic food up to the standards of critical Malaysians like myself! :)

Char Kway Teow, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Goreng and handmade Hakka Mee are all gorgeous and come very highly recommended. I have also been told by friends that the Bak Kut Teh, Hokkien Mee and Cantonese Style Hor Fun are good too, and from what I've seen on nearby tables they certainly look the part!

One thing I would say to avoid is the Prawn Mee, which is far too clear and bland (the manager actually agreed when I mentioned this to him, saying they are unable to get enough prawn shells to make the soup rich and thick enough!). Also the Curry Mee was not really to my personal taste (I prefer it more liquid and with steamed shredded chicken, not actual Curry Chicken portions).

At the moment desserts are limited (only ice kacang) but I've been told they will expand it in future. In any case I am happy enough that grass jelly ("cincau" or "leong fun" in Chinese) is on the drinks menu.

Definitely a place for authentic robust Malaysian food to satisfy those cravings!

gizmogirl

best place for crab 22nd November 2007

2 found this helpful

They do the best chilli crab dishes and it's cheap too
their nasi lemak portion is massive and i recommend you to share it with friends
i think the place is close down now?i am not really sure