On February 16, 2022 (Wednesday), the 2911th restaurant in Tokyo, located right next to Nishi-Ikebukuro Park, is a long-established Malaysian cuisine restaurant that has been operating since 1994, specializing in Penang Island cuisine and using halal ingredients. The grand menu is spectacular and tempting, but due to limited time during lunchtime, I chose from the lunch menu. I opted for the "Jasmine Rice Green Curry" (¥1050 tax included). According to the waitress, the rice is Pakistani Basmati rice cooked with turmeric, although the menu states Jasmine rice, the fragrant Pakistani rice is excellent. The Jasmine Rice Green Curry was served in 7-8 minutes, and the aroma of the rice (Pakistani rice) and turmeric was fantastic. The cooking method of this long-grain rice was exquisite, similar to the Chinigura rice from Bangladesh I had before, in terms of aroma and taste. The Green Curry was slightly different from the usual Thai Green Curry, with a hint of "Indian taste," as explained by the waitress. The spiciness was increased as per my request, and the Malaysian pickles added were similar to Nepalese Achaar. The owner mentioned that Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine are influenced by "Indian" flavors, which was evident in the dish. Additionally, using blue fish in the broth was reminiscent of Bengali or Sri Lankan cuisine, and the use of fish sauce added a touch of Vietnamese flavor. Overall, the meal was enjoyable, and it would be even more delightful to savor it slowly during dinner rather than a quick lunch.

I enjoyed a birthday lunch with my friends who have been close for 20 years. We often travel to Malaysia together and have lived there in the past, so it was a nostalgic and enjoyable experience. We have a vegan member in our group, so it was great that the restaurant offered vegan options. The stir-fried hollow vegetables with the original Malay sauce were incredibly delicious! Each dish had a unique and delicious flavor. The staff at the restaurant may seem a bit aloof at first, but they are actually very helpful and knowledgeable about the dishes. I forgot to take a photo, but we also ordered banana fritters at the end. They were sprinkled with cinnamon and had just the right amount of sweetness, making them very tasty. ❤️

New lunch menu - Refreshing curry and fragrant rice - 1050 yen including tax. Mini dessert. I had some errands in Ikebukuro and decided to have lunch. I went to a Malaysian restaurant, which is rare in Japan. The family sitting next to me seemed to be doing some research on Malaysia, and the staff kindly answered their questions. I ended up ordering the refreshing curry and fragrant rice instead of the Nasi Goreng. You can add options like salad, but I decided to just get the main dish. The food looked just like I imagined, but it wasn't as spicy as I expected. The Malaysian cuisine is a fusion of various cultures such as Chinese, Indian, and Thai, as the staff explained earlier. Malaysia has a large Muslim population, and I remember seeing prayer spaces at the airport.

I made a reservation for 18:30 on a regular day and visited the restaurant. The restaurant has a second floor, but it seems that only the first floor is normally used as the second floor was not air-conditioned. There were three groups of customers before me - a couple, a group of four, and a solo diner. I sat down, looked at the menu, and struggled to choose from a variety of Asian dishes. I enjoyed eating and drinking various dishes. The drinks were a bit pricey overall, but Asian bottled beers and tropical drinks matched the atmosphere of the restaurant. I had a Heartland draft beer. The dishes included not only Malaysian cuisine but also various Southeast Asian dishes. The appetizer platter was a great deal with a variety of items. In addition to the classic dishes like fresh spring rolls and satay, there were also unique dishes like otak-otak and murtabak, which were fish and pancake-like items that got me excited. The stir-fried pea shoots were simply delicious. The fried tofu and vegetable stir-fry had smaller tofu pieces and more vegetables than shown in the menu photo. The Nasi Goreng was surprising with a heart-shaped fried egg on top and had a strong ketchup-like flavor. The Roti Jala, which I tried for the first time, was like a crepe with a net-like texture topped with seafood and vegetables stir-fry. It took a bit of time to be served, but the crepe had a subtle coconut flavor, and the seafood and vegetable filling was not too thick, creating a unique crepe-like experience. You can feel like you're traveling through Southeast Asia. The prices and portion sizes of the dishes were reasonable. While there are many Thai and Vietnamese restaurants around, the Malaysian ethnic cuisine offered here is unique and interesting.

I visited after a long time. This is my first review on Tabelog. I prefer Malaysian cuisine that is not too spicy. As the name suggests, the restaurant mainly offers Malaysian cuisine with a variety of Southeast Asian ethnic menus. The prices were already high, but I felt they have increased now due to the current situation. I ordered the Assam Laksa, which is said to replicate the taste of Penang Island. The aroma of herbs and the dashi of mackerel combine to create a refreshing and tangy aftertaste. Rather than slurping the noodles, I enjoyed the texture while eating. I am highly satisfied with the addictive flavor. I found the timing of clearing the table after finishing the meal a bit early. I think it's best to visit with a group and share dishes. Thank you for the meal.

Feeling indecisive about what to eat, I visited this place that I had been to a long time ago. It was close to 1 pm on a weekday, and there were about 3 groups of customers already there. I ordered the Nasi Goreng set with salad and dessert. The Nasi Goreng was a bit different from what I had imagined, more like ketchup rice, and the texture of the rice wasn't to my liking. The egg yolk was overcooked, which was disappointing. The sauce on the satay was tasty though. I felt like I may have ordered the wrong menu. Thank you for the meal.

I went around 6 pm. The menu was extensive and I had a hard time deciding, but I chose the Tom Yum noodles. They were really delicious. The sourness was amazing! This is a taste that I want to eat regularly! However, I felt it was a bit pricey, so next time I want to go during lunch hours!

I went to a Malaysian restaurant near Nishi-Ikebukuro Park! The dishes I tried were Nasi Goreng, Murtabak, and Curry Puff! First, the Nasi Goreng had a heart-shaped fried egg on top, which was so cute! The flavor was a spicy fried rice, closer to pilaf than fried rice. The Curry Puff had a thick pastry filled with a mild dry curry, making it a gentle option even for those who don't like spicy food. Lastly, the Murtabak had a curry-like spicy flavor inside, similar to curry-flavored okonomiyaki. The chili sauce on top added a kick, but it's still delicious without it. There were many other interesting menu items, so I'd love to go back and try more dishes sometime! I'm curious about the Otak-Otak made with banana leaves!

Located right in front of Ikebukuro Station West Exit Park. I visited around 1:30 pm for lunch on a weekday. There was only one other group of customers. They don't offer lunch sets, but you can add salad and dessert for around 200 yen each. Rice can be added for free. The Laksa Noodles (1,380 yen) is a dish from Penang, and the chef learned how to make it there. The main ingredient is mackerel, with various ingredients like tamarind and lemongrass, and the noodles are made from rice flour and tapioca. The soup is sour with a complex flavor, not too fishy. The noodles are thick, short, and quite soft. The amount of mackerel is a bit small. The myoga (Japanese ginger) adds a nice touch. This was my first time trying Malaysian cuisine, and as I kept eating, I got more used to it, but I couldn't quite grasp the authenticity or quality of the Assam Laksa dish. The Tom Yum Noodles (940 yen) was quite different from the impression of Thai Tom Yum Kung, more like tomato soup with instant noodles. I'm not sure if this is how it's supposed to be in Malaysia. The price is quite high for individual dishes, so it's not cheap.

Visit date: around 6:00 PM on a holiday Menu: Assorted appetizers for one person - 1100 yen Pasembur - 1100 yen Curry puffs (3 pieces) - 700 yen Spicy coconut fish stew - 1550 yen Smoked steamed roast duck - 1750 yen Roti Jala - 1700 yen Nasi Goreng - 1250 yen Grass jelly - 550 yen Foreign food tour! This time it's Malaysia. Looking at the menu, many items are hard to understand without reading the descriptions. Even after reading the explanations, the flavors were different from what I imagined, making it an interesting experience. So, here are the menu descriptions: Assorted appetizers: Fresh spring rolls, Taotao, Malay pickles, Satay, Murtabak, and Shrimp Senbei recommended appetizer assortment. Tapatapa - A dish where minced fish is seasoned with spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled. Satay - Malaysian grilled chicken skewers with a generous amount of spicy peanut sauce. Murtabak - Malaysian pancake with a cheese-like chewy skin and a refreshing chicken mince filling. Pasembur (salad): Warm vegetables and thick tofu with boiled eggs topped with peanut sauce dressing. Curry puffs: A Malaysian snack consisting of dry curry puffs. Spicy coconut fish stew: A special dish packed with the essence of coconut and spiciness. Smoked steamed roast duck: Duck meat smoked, steamed, and roasted to perfection with a slightly sweet and savory crispiness. Roti Jala: Turmeric and coconut-filled crepe grilled in a special lattice pattern and served with a special chili sauce containing chicken and shrimp. A popular exotic taste, especially among women. Nasi Goreng: Malaysian fried rice with fragrant Malaysian sauce. A top favorite. Grass jelly: Jelly made from the Seso plant, a potential trend after Taiwanese sweets. Seso is rich in dietary fiber and is said to be good for preventing heatstroke by releasing built-up body heat. Overall, everything was spicy, more tangy than spicy, with a rich flavor often featuring peanut taste. Thank you for the meal! (⁠θ⁠‿⁠θ⁠)人

The restaurant, which opened in 1994 and is considered a pioneer of Malaysian cuisine in Japan, has around 40 seats in total on the first and second floors. To use the restroom, you need to go up the stairs to the second floor. The smoked roasted duck, roti jala, fish head curry, laksa noodles, silver needle noodles, and black sugar tapioca ice cream were tasted and reviewed as follows: [3.2] Appetizer Assortment (2 servings for 2,200 yen) 1. Fresh spring rolls 2. Otak-otak 3. Malay pickles 4. Satay 5. Murtabak 6. Shrimp senbei The fresh spring rolls with sweet chili sauce were average. Otak-otak, wrapped in banana leaves, had a spicy flavor but lacked impact. Malay pickles had a curry-like taste. Satay, grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce, was not as tender as Japanese yakitori. Murtabak, a Malaysian pancake, was the highlight of the appetizers with its buttery flavor and chicken filling. Shrimp senbei was similar to those found in Vietnamese restaurants. [3.1] Smoked Roasted Duck (1,750 yen) The duck had a light smoked flavor and was served with a strong sauce. While the presentation was appealing, the dish lacked substantial meat due to bones. A dish that showcases the quality of the ingredients but could benefit from a more refined preparation. [3.4] Roti Jala (1,700 yen) Expecting a crispy texture, the roti jala surprised with a chewy consistency. The accompanying ketchup-cooked bean sprouts added a different dimension to the dish. [3.0] Fish Head Curry (2,050 yen) The curry, made with red snapper fish head and served with various vegetables, had a strong fishy taste and overly salty sauce. A milder version of fish head curry may be more suitable for Japanese palates. [1.2] Laksa Noodles (1,500 yen) The laksa noodles had a strong fermented seafood flavor that may not appeal to everyone. The soft texture of the tapioca noodles and the presence of fish bones made the dish challenging to enjoy, especially considering the high price. [3.7] Silver Needle Noodles (1,250 yen) Similar to Pad Thai, the silver needle noodles had a good flavor and a chewy texture that made it enjoyable to eat as a standalone dish. [3.0] Black Sugar Tapioca Ice Cream (850 yen) A dessert made with vanilla ice cream, coconut milk, tapioca pearls, and sugar candy. While decent, it could be easily recreated at home with store-bought ice cream.

This is my second visit. Last time I came for dinner. A young couple who ordered the same menu as me said, "Delicious!" but I couldn't agree because the taste was too strong for me. This time, I wanted to see if my taste buds had grown a bit, so I decided to visit again. I looked at the menu. At first glance, it didn't seem to have a lineup with strong flavors. Among them, I ordered the Assam Laksa, which seemed to be the most flavorful, but they said, "Noodles are sold out." I ended up ordering the Nasi Goreng set. It had grilled chicken, fried rice, and an egg on top. This had a natural taste. I would like to visit again at night.

Today was a stroll in Ikebukuro. The Naka-hon in the west exit is gone, so the chances of him coming here have decreased significantly (he doesn't go to the east exit where Naka-hon is located). Despite having eaten meat soba a few hours ago, he already wanted to eat lunch. When asked if there was anywhere in mind, I couldn't think of anything because I usually suppress what I want to eat when I'm with him. So, I suggested going back to Ekoda for Thai food. Thai food -> Khao Man Gai -> Chicken Rice, and then I remembered this place. It was lunchtime, and the restaurant had a moderate number of customers. It was my first time at this restaurant, and I prefer a balance between crowded and deserted, so this level of busyness was important. I moistened my throat with a draft beer (Heartland) first. He ordered Chicken Rice for 1,300 yen, and I ordered the Nasi Goreng set for 1,650 yen. However, about this draft beer...is it really Heartland? When he asked the staff, they replied, "Yes, it's beer." Oh well, let's just go with it. The Nasi Goreng set came with Indonesian grilled chicken satay and shrimp crackers, a luxurious set. But for some reason, I didn't take a photo of it (T T). Nasi Goreng is fried rice cooked with Malay sauce, but compared to other Nasi Goreng I know, it had a milder flavor. I prefer a more punchy taste. The sweet peanut sauce for the satay goes well with the chicken. The pickled vegetables served on the side were a good palate cleanser and snack. Overall, the flavors were gentle, as overheard in a conversation, and perhaps the owner, a madam, brought a small dish with two types of sauce, saying it tastes delicious when you dip it. This was a big hit! One was probably XO sauce. Just a little mixing added depth to the flavor. It was delicious with the Nasi Goreng and Chicken Rice! I really enjoyed it. This kind of service makes me happy. I'm curious about the Fish Head Curry and other Malay dishes on the restaurant's main screen. I'll visit again while out for a stroll.

This is a restaurant that my friend from Malaysia introduced me to during our student days. I hadn't been there in a long time, but I had some business to attend to in Ikebukuro, so I decided to have lunch at this restaurant. The place has the same old atmosphere, and the interior also exudes a Malaysian vibe. The noodles called Laksa had a fish sauce-like flavor and were very salty. The dessert with a Showa-era coconut milk flavor was delicious, and it made me nostalgic, wishing I could go back to Malaysia soon.

There were many unusual dishes at this Malaysian restaurant that you don't see at other Malaysian eateries. Some examples include fish paste otak-otak, Malaysian-style okonomiyaki called murtabak, and fish curry made from red snapper heads. They also have a wide range of halal-friendly vegetarian options. The prices were reasonable as well! I definitely want to visit this place again!

I had heard from some people that Malacca was very delicious, but I had never been there. I felt a bit hesitant to go in, so the location is as follows: pass through Nishiguchi Park, cross the signal at Gekijo Street, turn left, and turn right at the corner of Shijimi Ramen to find Kitchen ABC, with Mongolian Tanmen Nakamoto on the second floor. If you continue walking towards Rikkyo, you will find this restaurant on the left corner. The interior of the restaurant is narrow but it has a second floor. When I entered, the first floor was full. The Nasi Goreng Set was priced at 1430 yen. The Nasi Goreng was quite bland, to the point where it had no flavor at all. On top of that, there were tasteless small shrimps and heart-shaped fried eggs. The side dishes of vegetables, shrimp crackers, pickles, and grilled meat skewers also lacked flavor. I generally like mild flavors, but this was not about being mild or strong, it was just tasteless. There were no condiments on the table, so I couldn't season it. I tried to convince myself that it must be delicious since it's a famous restaurant. I even thought maybe I had suddenly become taste-blind due to COVID. This day was my first and last time eating Nasi Goreng there. However, the customers eating different dishes, especially the noodle dishes, were repeatedly saying how delicious they were. So, I think it's definitely a delicious restaurant based on the reactions of the people eating there. I believe that the reactions of the people eating on the spot are the most reliable evaluation. I will definitely go there again.

In Japan, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants dominate the Southeast Asian cuisine scene, but there are a few Malaysian restaurants in Ikebukuro. I decided to visit one on a day when I could spend my lunchtime there. I arrived at the restaurant in Ikebukuro around 1:30 pm on a weekday. Since the lunch peak had passed, there were no other customers. The location in front of a park and the large windows letting in light created a nice atmosphere inside the restaurant. When it comes to Malaysian cuisine, it's hard to think of typical dishes. This area has influences from Singapore and Indonesia as well, so there are many overlapping dishes. I chose the Malaysian fried beehoon from the menu, which came with a salad and dessert. The fried beehoon itself was quite tasty, with a Southeast Asian flavor that differed from Taiwanese dishes. It reminded me of street food in Southeast Asia. The dish was well-prepared, making it a good choice for those new to Southeast Asian cuisine. It's convenient that they accept payment via PayPay.

In front of a park overflowing with greenery, there is a shop. It's in a perfect location where cherry blossoms bloom beautifully in spring. I was impressed by the full bloom of night cherry blossoms five years ago. Finally, I was able to come back to eat. I took advantage of the Tokyo Plus (travel support) program to stay in Ikebukuro at a discounted rate. I made it to the lunch at 11 o'clock with plenty of time. Since the menu was extensive, I had already decided what I wanted to eat. ⇒ Nasi Goreng Set / ¥1430. However, this might be my first time trying Nasi Goreng... I don't know the standard taste, so I can't say for sure, but it felt like tasteless chicken rice? I couldn't finish it without the sauce that comes with grilled chicken. Is that the seasoning? I'm glad I ordered the set with grilled chicken. I want to come back in spring again someday, drink sake while admiring the night cherry blossoms, and try the Gapao rice. I've had Gapao rice before, so I think I can compare the taste of this restaurant. By the way, the background music was playing really good songs the whole time. The staff even hummed along to the music.

Ikebukuro Nishiguchi is a 7.8-minute walk away. I had known about this restaurant for a while, but this was my first visit for lunch. It's a Halal restaurant, which is not very well-known in Japan (serving dishes permissible under Islamic law). I'm usually not a fan of certain types of food (strong-smelling, herbs, pickles, fish sauce, etc.), so I was a bit hesitant. I decided to order the classic Nasi Goreng set. I usually don't like pickles, but the Malay pickles served here were surprisingly delicious. It had cucumbers, carrots, and pineapples, slightly spicy and not overly pickled, which was great. I was worried about the Malay-style grilled chicken sauce being too sweet, but it turned out to be a peanut sauce and was very tasty. I felt safe eating the Nasi Goreng. Surprisingly, I enjoyed everything! The staff seemed busy with a meeting, but they still recommended popular dishes. They also mentioned that they can accommodate non-lunch menu items during lunch hours. I was curious about the Jasmine Rice on the menu. If I don't like it, it could ruin the meal, but I want to try other dishes, so I plan to go back with friends. I went for a late lunch, and the restaurant's ambiance was nice for a relaxing meal. I took photos of the lunch menu for my next visit, so I'll share them for reference.

In Ikebukuro, there is a long-established Malaysian restaurant called Malay Chan. It has about 5-6 tables and a monitor. The menu is very diverse, making it hard to choose as it includes not only Malaysian cuisine but also a mix of Asian dishes. On this particular day, I visited to try the Silver Needle Noodles, which are not commonly seen in Japan. - Silver Needle Noodles (1,100 yen tax included) These hand-kneaded noodles are made from tapioca and rice, with a unique shape resembling white fish. The soup is a simple salt-based chicken broth. The noodles themselves are tasteless and odorless, with a texture similar to gnocchi made from potatoes or water dumplings made from rice. The owner of the restaurant became fond of this dish during her time in Malaysia and wished to introduce it in Japan. Thanks to the recent tapioca boom, it has become possible to find tapioca flour in Japan, making this rare noodle dish a reality. - Tempe Goreng Sambal (840 yen tax included) This dish features fried Indonesian tempeh coated in spicy sambal sauce. - Murtabak (600 yen tax included) This Malaysian "pancake" is similar to okonomiyaki, with a pastry-like crust and a filling of minced chicken. The restaurant described it as having a texture similar to "cheese." Overall, trying out such ethnic cuisine once in a while can be a nice change of pace. Enjoy with a Singha or Tiger beer.

On this day when I was wondering what to eat, I decided to visit a restaurant that offers Malaysian cuisine for a change. Malaysian cuisine is known for dishes like Nasi Goreng and Mee Goreng, but I wanted to try something different. The restaurant had a calm atmosphere with Malaysian decorations, and there were even guidebooks about traveling in Malaysia. I ordered a draft beer (680 yen) and the following dishes: - Curry Puff (1 piece for 220 yen): A crispy pastry filled with dry curry. It was dangerously delicious and perfect for snacking. - Appetizer Platter (990 yen for 1 person, also available for 2 people): The platter included fresh spring rolls, Otak-Otak, Malay pickles, Satay, Murtabak, and shrimp crackers. It's a good option if you want to try a variety of dishes. I particularly enjoyed the fresh spring rolls for their refreshing taste. - Silver Needle Noodle (1,100 yen): Noodles made from rice flour and tapioca flour, stir-fried in a soy sauce base. It tasted similar to yakisoba and had a very chewy texture due to the tapioca flour. The dish was a bit dry and salty, making me thirsty as I ate. Overall, all the dishes I tried were decent, without any standout favorites. The restaurant's service was a bit slow, so I recommend going with some extra time on hand.