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Best Malaysian Restaurant Melbourne
Malaysian cuisine is highly influenced by many different civilizations from across the globe. Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, and Indian cuisines dominate the menu. These influences may be seen in a number of ways, including the culinary skills and utensils utilized, as well as the unusual flavors and spices used in recipes. As a nation that blends many distinct cultures, the cuisine is diverse. Malaysian flavors are a distinct blend of sweet, sour, rich, and spicy flavors that are not found in any other country’s cuisine. This is why you should know which Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
1. The Rice Cooker
| Key Services | Asian Cuisine, Full Bar Available, BYO, Vegetarian Friendly, Outdoor Seating |
| Website | https://www.thericecooker.com.au/ |
| Address | Shop 3/33 Flemington Rd, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9041 9190 |
| thericecooker33@gmail.com | |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 3PM, 5PM – 9PM Mondays – Fridays |
North Melbourne is home to The Rice Cooker, an establishment known for its genuine Malaysian food and sushi. Meng Lee, the proprietor, takes a novel approach to the dining experience. What began as a casual interest in bringing diners a tantalizing fusion of Southern and Eastern Asian foods quickly became his life’s work. Meng set a high bar for himself and his employees, so they could serve up delicious takes on both classic and innovative meals. Indulge in some crunchy roti canai, some soft shell crab laksa, and some smoky char koay teow. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Offers a tantalizing fusion of Southern and Eastern Asian foods
- The owner, Meng Lee, takes a novel approach to the dining experience
Customer Testimonial:
“This is the kind of place that doesn’t stand out, but makes good food. Simple but reliable, consistent and affordable, with extensive options in the menu.”
Anisa Anwar
2. Sarawak Kitchen Express
| Key Services | Malaysian Food, Table Reservation Not Required, Indoor Seating, Vegetarian Friendly |
| Address | 83-93 Franklin St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9654 3801 |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 8PM Daily |
The hearty and tasty comfort meal of Sarawak Kitchen Express, located close to RMIT, is highly recommended. The “economy rice” restaurant chain is popular among universities since it offers large portions at reasonable pricing. That’s because it’s been known by that moniker, after all. When staring into the enticing bain-marie, full of delicious options, it might be tough to decide what to order. Laksa or fried vermicelli with a spoonful of sambal on top is a good bet if you’re feeling brave. Test your tolerance for heat with some fried vermicelli or laksa. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- The hearty and tasty comfort meal
- The “economy rice” restaurant chain is popular among universities
- It offers large portions at reasonable pricing
Customer Testimonial:
“Probably the best value for money Malaysian food in Melbourne. Huge portions and delicious food!”
C. Po
3. Niubi
| Key Services | Chinese And Pan Asian Cooking, Healthy Asian Dishes, Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Beer |
| Website | https://www.niubi.com.au/ |
| Address | 11 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 8590 3003 |
| hello@niubi.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 11:30AM – 3PM, 5PM – 10PM Mondays – Tuesdays, Thursdays – Sundays |
This trendy fusion eatery is hidden away in a Chinatown alleyway, and its interior is decorated in soft pinks and sleek blacks. The seafood at Niubi is excellent, especially the huge mud crab claypot. The menu also includes curry laksa, salted egg prawn toast, and Hawaiian chicken. The Instagram-famous Thai milk tea should not be missed. The frosty beverage is topped with a lovable teddy bear. Indulging in tasty treats with those you care about while surrounded by natural beauty is an indulgence. When you visit, that’s exactly what they want you to feel. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- A trendy fusion eatery
- Huge mud crab claypot
- Instagram-famous Thai milk tea
Customer Testimonial:
“So happy to have come here for my birthday lunch. Enjoyed all dishes we ordered. Service was good, staff are friendly.”
Leah RTK
4. Raya
| Key Services | Cafe Food, Desserts, Coffee And Tea, Southeast Asian Cakes, Breakfast, Takeaway Available |
| Website | https://www.rayamelbourne.com/ |
| Address | 61 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| hello@rayamelbourne.com | |
| Operating Hours | 8AM – 3PM Mondays – Fridays | 9AM–3PM Saturdays – Sundays |
Raya is a one-of-a-kind little cafe and bakery nestled away in a Little Collins Street alleyway, dishing up homemade cakes and nibbles with a twist. Run by a family and friends team with “unqualified baker and shaker” accounting graduate turned Insta-baker Raymond Tan at the helm, we honor our South East Asian heritage by baking and serving traditional nyonya kuehs, cakes, pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches, as well as some other creative new additions. Our well-lit bar will include daily displays of all our freshly baked goods. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Dishes up homemade cakes and nibbles with a twist
- Run by a family and friends team
- Honors our South East Asian heritage by baking and serving traditional nyonya kuehs, cakes, pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches
Customer Testimonial:
“A plethora of cakes/ pastries/ kueh/ drinks selection. Love the miso-pistachio cookie! Slight hint of savouriness and nuttiness from the miso and chewiness of the slightly tangy sour cherry. Amazing combination!”
Xin Ru
5. Lulu’s Char Koay Teow
| Key Services | Traditional Char Koay Teow, Malaysian Cuisine, Takeaway Available, Outdoor Seating |
| Website | |
| Address | 27-31 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 401 263 939 |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 3PM, 5PM – 8PM Mondays – Fridays | 11AM – 8:30PM Saturdays | 10:30AM – 3:30PM Sundays |
Get yourself a heaping plate of those glistening stir-fried noodles and decide for sure whether this is the best char koay teow in all of Melbourne. Hardware Lane’s Lulu’s is famous for its take on the regional specialty laksa, which is prepared in the manner of Penang’s popular street food. Select the level of heat you like and the protein you desire, such as duck egg or blood cockles. The temperature might reach 3X, which is so scorching it would drive everyone to the nearest teh tarik shop for relief. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Famous for its take on the regional specialty laksa
- Prepared in the manner of Penang’s popular street food
- Select the level of heat you like
Customer Testimonial:
“Amazing and super authentic (especially with the Si Hum). It’s definitely one of the best in Melbourne and reasonably priced. Do yourself a favour and get there. A piece of advice though, as someone that eats spicy food, I found the medium to be relatively spicy.”
Daniel Koh
6. Jojo Little Kitchen
| Key Services | Asian Food, Malaysian Cuisine, Takeaway Available, Indoor Seating |
| Website | |
| Address | 7/120 A’Beckett St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 415 848 882 |
| jojolittlekitchenaus@gmail.com | |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 9PM Mondays, Wednesdays – Sundays |
Jojo Little Kitchen, originally from Kuala Lumpur, is largely credited for bringing genuine, nutritious Malaysian cuisine to the tables of Melbourne locals. The likes of pan-fried mee noodles, century egg dumplings, and curry laksa are just a few of Jojo’s signature dishes. Noodles cooked with wheat flour in the hakka style may be enjoyed on their own or in a broth-based meal. Since the restaurant is not visible from the street, you will need to rely on your sense of smell and the steady stream of customers who are interested in noodles to locate it. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Signature dishes include pan-fried mee noodles, century egg dumplings, and curry laksa
- Noodles cooked in the hakka style
- Not visible from the street
Customer Testimonial:
The Lat Jiu Pan Mee was delicious! Noodles had a nice bite and was a great combination with everything mixed together. The homemade soya milk was yum too”
Zachariah Khov
7. CC Wok
| Key Services | Malaysian Cuisine, Takeaway Available, Outdoor Seating |
| Website | https://www.ccwok.com.au/ |
| Address | 464 Victoria St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia |
| Phone | +61 468 783 168 |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 3PM, 5:30PM – 8PM Tuesdays – Sundays |
The importance of laksa grows with the onset of winter. At CC Wok in North Melbourne, you can have curry mee in big bowls. Bowls of fried tofu, eggplant, and vegetables, with an additional helping of fiery chili. Crystal dumplings, curry puffs, and grilled chicken wings are just a few of the many examples of traditional home-cooked Malaysian food. Traditional sweets like peanut mochi and coconut pandan pancakes are available on weekends. These sweets are sold nowhere else. It’s possible that “sweet” might be reduced to “kueh,” a Chinese word. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Curry mee in big bowls
- Fried tofu, eggplant, and vegetables
- Fiery chili
- Crystal dumplings, curry puffs, and grilled chicken wings
Customer Testimonial:
“A newly opened Malaysian restaurant in North Melbourne area. The food was delicious and nicely presented. Pretty good value for money too. The service was nice and they also offer a range of Malaysian sweets/pastries to take away. Definitely give it a try if you’re in the area.”
Danny Lai
8.Jom Corner
| Key Services | Malaysian Cuisine, Takeaway Available, Outdoor Seating |
| Website | |
| Address | Shop 5/222 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Operating Hours | 10AM – 5PM Daily |
If you find yourself in Kuala Lumpur at lunchtime, you must visit Jom Corner. This undiscovered treasure serves up comfort food staples like Hainanese chicken rice and Malaysian fried chicken. It’s in the Kmart Centre, which is at the rear (ayam goreng). The deliciously seasoned curry puffs and peanut butter toast are delicious accompaniments. Even though there are a few other spots to go air bungkusing in Melbourne, this is one of the few that is publicly advertised. Teh tarik, often known as “pulled milk tea,” is a popular beverage found at hawker centers. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Hainanese chicken rice and Malaysian fried chicken
- Curry puffs and peanut butter toast
- Teh tarik (pulled milk tea)
Customer Testimonial:
“Another superbly authentic Malaysian restaurant. Nasi Lemak was very good as was the fried ayam berempah. Service was really friendly and warm thanks to the lovely Thai waitress working there. All in all loved the place. Will be trying the Yong Tafu with curry and rice noodle rolls there next time!”
Jason Ho
9. Lim Kopi
| Key Services | Malaysian Cuisine, Takeaway Available, Outdoor Seating |
| Website | |
| Address | 542 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 452 642 883 |
| limkopiau@gmail.com | |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 2PM Daily |
Traditional dishes like char kway teow and laksa are served in enormous bowls of steaming hot soup at Lim Kopi (542 Little Bourke Street), and delicious blood cockles are an actual addition that can be ordered on the side. Steamed rice noodle rolls with chewy fillings and crunchy chicken nasi lemak are also abundant. Different kinds of sauces accompany each of these meals. Order a kopi peng, a popular iced coffee drink made with condensed milk in Malaysia, to really immerse yourself in the local dining culture. This is why they are one of the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Char kway teow and laksa in enormous bowls
- Blood cockles as an actual addition
- Steamed rice noodle rolls with chewy fillings and crunchy chicken nasi lemak
- Kopi peng, a popular iced coffee drink made with condensed milk in Malaysia
Customer Testimonial:
“Lived up to Malaysian food expectation. A wide variety of 小炒 food to choose from. Can be quite smoky indoor for dine in (opted outdoor instead). Reasonable pricing, would return to try out other food.”
WS Chan
Malaysian Restaurant Melbourne
Overall, Malaysian cuisine is best defined as a varied blend of numerous ethnic groups. In Malaysia, no two meals taste the same, and there’s something to tempt every palette. In terms of taste, the foods are spicy and fragrant. Southeast Asian herbs and spices such as lemongrass, chile paste, tamarind, and curry leaves are used to season the meals. We hope this information assists you in locating the finest Malaysian restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
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