Over the past decade, Atlanta’s international restaurant scene has all but exploded, with a noteworthy trend having emerged: the rise of Malaysian cuisine. Renowned for its bold and aromatic dishes, Malaysian food is a fusion of Chinese, Indian, and Malay influences — a result of the nation’s long history as a trading hub that brought a myriad of spices and cooking techniques to its shores. In Malaysia, street food is an integral part of the country’s culinary landscape; hawker centers and food courts offer dozens of choices such as Indian-style curries and roti (bread), Malay-style nasi lemak (coconut rice), and Chinese-style laksa and fried kway teow (fried rice noodles).
Here are a few restaurants in Atlanta where you can try some of these dishes stateside.
Mamak
5150 Buford Hwy, Suite A-170, Atlanta
Bright and modern, but with a distinct Malaysian feel, Mamak brings the spirit of Malaysian street food to Buford Highway’s Asian Square. With a fully Malaysian menu, Mamak gets as close to a 10/10 as any restaurant not actually in Malaysia could possibly reach. It’s difficult to pick a favorite here. Street food staples like fried kway teow (fried rice noodles) and roti canai (fried bread similar to Indian paratha) with curry sauce hit the spot every time. If you want to steer off the beaten track, try the delicate and comforting soup noodle dish fish filet mee fun, with a milky ikan bilis- (dried anchovy) infused broth, vermicelli noodles, and pickled mustard vegetables. For something heartier and more flavorful, order the chicken curry laksa (pictured above), featuring a rich coconut curry soup filled with thick yellow noodles and bites of tender chicken, eggplant, and tofu.
Food Terminal
5000 Buford HWY #B201 Chamblee; 1000 Marietta St NW Atlanta; 6360 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta; 6550 Aria Blvd Sandy Springs
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