This was a Sabrina pick and with most Sabrina picks, it turned out to be an Asian restaurant. I was okay with it since it was Malaysian and I haven’t had much real Malaysian food. Needless to say, the place didn’t disappoint though it didn’t impress me to the point where I’d go back again.
You know how when you go to your typical Chinatown restaurant and no matter what type of noodle dish you order they all have that same taste? That damn soy-sauce taste hit me on the first bite. I ordered the Chow Kueh Teow, which is fried flat rice noodles with shrimp, squid, bean sprouts, eggs, soy sauce, and chili paste so I guess I had that soy sauce taste coming. If you like seafood, this place gives you plenty. Sabrina, on the other hand, ordered the Mee Siam, which instead had its flavor from a spicy Thai chili sauce with peanuts. I liked her dish better.
I almost forgot about the appetizer. We ordered the homemade Roti Canai, which is essentially an Indian pancake. I think it was the most popular appetizer. It wasn’t big, but it was enough for two. The dipping sauce was made out of curry chicken. It was definitely a good way to start off the meal, although both the pancake roti and the dipping sauce were a bit oily.
The decor was above average for its price. It’s not as hip as spice or as romance as Cafetasia, but it has a large wall adorned with a rendering of Chinatown made from watermark. There’s also this strip of wall that’s aligned with stone and the whole place has a very earth-tone/woody feel. Service is your usual, don’t expect to get pampered. The best part was we walked out spending less than $10 a piece.
MENU
194 Grand St.
New York, NY 10013
Near Mulberry St.
See Map | Subway Directions 
212-334-3669
You should also check out:
- Crif Dogs (take 2)- best hot dogs ever
- Saturday brunch at Locanda Verde
- Bobo in the West Village
- Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill: Brunch
- Five Napkin Burger
