Satay House Malaysian Restaurant

A friend recommended Satay House so I thought I'd try it out for lunch as I work nearby. I love curry laksa, a classic Malay dish, so was surprised it wasn't on the menu. But to my delight they offered to make one up for me. I'm pleased to say it was rather good. It was an extremely generous portion (I couldn't finish it despite my best efforts) I found it quite authentic also - perhaps not as spicy or fiery as some I've had in Malaysia or Singapore, but the flavours and aromas were all there, and it certainly looked 'right'. The ingredients were of excellent quality/freshness and they didn't skimp on the chicken/prawn.

I also tried the Roti Canai. This was a fairly competent attempt, but they didn't quite re-create that authentic elastic/coiled texture and ever-so-slightly charred/flaky on the outside quality that I associate with the best Roti I've had in Malacca. The accompanying chicken curry was rather too watery and a tad bland. But these are minor quibbles, on the whole it was pretty good.

I did come back for lunch again, and tried the Char Keow Teow - which was excellent - it really did taste every bit as good as the best wood fired/street vendor fare I've had - only with more generous helpings of seafood. The Ais Kachang and Tee Tarik were likewise just what I'd expected.

The service is attentive, without being overkeen. The surroundings pleasant and relaxed. Overall it's good quality, authentic Malay food, reasonably priced.
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Peter
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I attended the restaurant thinking that I would tase some traditional Malaysian food, but was dissapointed. The food did not taste too good, the selection for the vegeterians was very poor.
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Bilal
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, December 10, 2007

The best Malay food this side of the equator!! Great atmosphere, great ambiance and great value for money.
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R. Newland
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 05, 2007

the food there isn't particuarly good but the strange thing was that we were next to the tv and on the tv was midget doing funny stuff. the service was terrible one of the waitresses was just talking to another table and when we wanted the bill we go up to the counter to get it. the next time i come i would hope better service.
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jardin hoinggdoink - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 04, 2007

What a great place! My favorite thing about Satay House was the value for the money. The service was excellent and the portions were perfect and delicious, and all of this for reasonable prices. I've been looking for some time now to find a really good Malaysian place in London, and I believe I've found my new favorite!
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Lindy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 12, 2007

I went this past Friday to Satay House and was very pleased. The restaraunt setting was pleasant and the food was delicious - fresh and flavorful in just the right ways. The service staff was attentive but not overly so, and It was a great start to the weekend. I absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy a great evening with fantastic Malaysian food!
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Renee
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 09, 2007

The director of the company I work for loves Malaysian food, and because I haven't been to Satay House, I thought it was a good idea to take her there and try their food. We ordered Udang Masak Lemak Cili Api and Daging Dendeng, something which I can't DIY, but I was disappointed with the taste. The menu says with cili api, I expected it to be really hot and spicy. It is not, and nowhere near authentic. The rest of the dishes were not to my liking either as I think they have been altered for the European taste. What a big let down!
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S Ramli
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, July 05, 2007

I love Satay House! Having travelled extensively across Malaysia, this is the first restaurant I have found in the UK that really creates authentic dishes rather than some European rip off.

One of the best things about the restaurant is the value for money and the friendliness of the staff and I think that any restaurant that has been open in London for 30 years must be doing something right. I went back last night for the first time since the refit and I think the family have really managed to retain that intimate and homely feel that is synonymous with Satay house. If only I could have the whole monkfish every Day!!!!!
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Jay - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Well, Im not sure why this place has been given such a high rating... We attended the restaurant on a Friday night, and it was busy, but not full.

We had a group of 14. So to make things easier we all ordered set menu B rather than individual dishes.

It took a long time for the first course to arrive, it was a lamb soup which was like a broth with bits of lamb in, it was nice enough, but to me was something anyone could knock up in their home kitchen.. not restaurant standard.

After another long wait, the next dish arrived. Satay chicken and lamb on skewers. I really liked this and things started to look promising despite the long delays.

However when the main course arrived, it was a let down. I have had better rendang out of a packet. The lamb in a gravy style sauce was not particularly nice, and nothing else was particularly special.

The prawns in chilli were the best part. very spicy.

After the main course followed what seemed like an incredible wait. The whole downstairs emptied out and we were the only ones left... and still the desserts did not come. We started to get annoyed and some people had to leave.

We finally got our desserts which again were ok but nothing special. They did not give us the coffees that were meant to be included in the meal so instead of waiting even longer we paid the bill and left.

We had arrived at the restaurant at 8.45pm and eventually left at midnight, tired and fed up.

To make things worse, water started to drip rapidly through the ceiling and through a light fitting to the side of our table, then through a speaker. Even when the waitress noticed, she did nothing about it, and did not even apologise for the splashes.

We were served plenty of drinks throughout the meal (the expensive part) really had to wait for everything else. You loose the hunger and end up eating just because you know you are paying for it. As most of the group was drinking, we felt the meal was delayed on purpose to make us purchase more alcohol.

I was really unimpressed with this place. There was one friendly waitress but the rest didnt seem to care. I can safely say I wont be returning here.
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Steph
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, May 15, 2007

The atmosphere was a bit for the wags. And of course the waiters/waitresses were polite (a lot better than Mawar). I ordered something that's quite rare and 100% unable to be prepared at home. The bergedil! Yeah, suddenly I panicked and asked for Nasi Goreng Kampung for the Main Course. I felt I had made a wrong choice. Well, I thought wrong. The bergedils were quite huge. And the portion for the nasi goreng was large as well, thus I had to cancel my intention on ordering their specialty menu; satays. I took a bite on the bergedil and suddenly I had a rush of excitement gushing into my brain. The bergedil was fantastic! (seriously, I am not joking or being sarcastic here). And then, the nasi goreng. Even better! Like a food critic, I rambled on the heavenly made food and couldn't stop praising them. I shouted 'Yes' as I realise I can go back home as a full and happy man. A very, very happy man.
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jeghui
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 07, 2007