February 23, 2007
Dishin’: Malay Satay Hut
We usually run from restaurants that have pictures on the menu. They remind us of steakhouse chains from our childhoods or Chinese takeout places where the food tastes like the box in which it’s packaged. But we find endless delight in staring at Malay Satay Hut’s full-color menu. If we could resist distraction, we’d laminate our takeout copy and hang it on the wall.
Explore the whole menu. Everything’s great, except for dessert, which we forgo. (If you want something sweet, a friend who’s a self-admitted spicy food wimp finds Nirvanic relief in an avocado shake.)
Start with the roti canai. Just order it. Look around and it seems everyone starts their meal with this wonder: a soft but crispy Indian fry bread, accompanied by an addictive curry dipping sauce that goes from sweet to hot in your mouth. Pillowy and perfect, roti canai is our idea of comfort food.
And be sure to get a vegetable dish, like the belachan string beans (the okra is also a good option). Vegetarians beware: as in much Southeast Asian cooking, the mouth-feel and fat of a little seafood or meat enhance the taste of the vegetables. Belachan preparation means stir-fried with shrimp paste (don’t try this at home if you fear an everlasting pungent odor), and some prawns provide a nice balance to the beans.
Dishin’ is having an unusually difficult time picking just one dish this time, and we have two recommendations for entrees. Malaysian Chinese pork chops always make it to our table. Don’t let their apparent simplicity fool you. One bite and you’ll marvel at the complexity of the sweet and yet seductively spiced chops, which are perfectly crisped but still tender, and appropriately garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. Toss your chopsticks. This is meat and bones, so don’t be afraid to eat with your hands—finger-licking good!
For you adventurous foodies: Check out the specials board. This is how we discovered baby squids. Order them as you wish; we like dry curry—perhaps our favorite dish of the restaurant. Squeamish about squid? These miniature versions are delectable, quickly stir-fried to a pleasing tenderness in a curry sauce that our friends frequently describe as intoxicating.
For taste and value, Malay Satay Hut is the jewel of the International District—and maybe all of Seattle. We call it Wild Ginger at one-third the price (and maybe one-third the atmosphere, which is fine by us) and three times the authenticity.
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Sounds tasty. Where is it?
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Finish with durian ice cream. I dare you. Durian smells like rotting flesh but tastes insanely divine.
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Mmm... I like durian ice cream!
For some reason, the Malay Satay website is down. The Seattle location is 212 12th Avenue South (near Jackson & 12th, making this the best food corner in Seattle). They also have locations in Redmond (WA) and Portland (OR).
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Another adventurous recommendation: Fish Head Curry soup. An incredibly rich and spicy broth, with okra (or some other green veggie). They'll also make it with fish fillets for the squeamish.
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I could have sworn they shut down. Did they move locations? Drove by about a month ago and the sign was gone. Tried to call, got no answer. Guess I’ll just have to venture over there to see for myself.
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Fish head curry soup IS great. I encourage others to try it!
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Royal, I thought the same thing recently. Website is down, no one was answering the phone, and the sign was down for some time. But, fortunately, everything's back in order at the same location - except the website still isn't working.
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Isn't this the place you took me to severel years ago? Glad to hear it's still excellent!! Now I'm hungry for baby squid. :-)
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I'm torn on this place. The service is so unfriendly and slow that it makes me feel bad for actually ordering food. But the food is so good that I forget about the service until it's time for me to go back again, and then I regret that they have seduced me with curry and lemongrass.
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Interesting comment on the service. I get what you're saying. The service used to be much friendlier. Pre-fire (a few years ago), Auntie used to make the roti canai right by the front door, and usually had a welcoming smile. As did the servers. But I think many of the servers moved when the Redmond location opened, and I'm not sure they're even there anymore. And I never see the owner there these days, so how to give feedback?
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Next time I'm in the area, it's the first place
I'm heading for !! Squid is my favorite..
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Hey Jay,
Great review. I will try it when I come to Seattle. gary
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Hey Jay, Great review. I will take authenticity over glitz and glamour any day. Gotta try it when I come to Seattle. gary
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First time a review ever made me rush out to try a restaurant, and I'm so glad I did. Thanks. Any other similar restaurants to recommend?
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Salima is another Malaysian restaurant in Seattle, but haven't been. Anyone with opinions? Malay Satay is my favorite restaurant in Seattle, though I also love Green Leaf, as you can see if one of my previous reviews.
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"fish head soup IS great" but are they roley poley?.....I have been inspired to track down a Malaysian Restaurant by your review and try something new.
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Those photos are making me hungry. Can't wait to try the baby squid. Thanks for the introduction!
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This restaurant is racist. If you are black, go there. But be prepared to call them out when they put you near the bathroom, throw your silverware on the table, and are otherwise rude.
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I should add that I've had the “ABC” ice kachang and chendol desserts, which are interesting in a gummy-worm-stuck-in-ice sort of way. Anyone tried either of these, and care to comment?
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Man, is this place open? No one answers the phone, and i read it's closed! Help!
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Yes, it's open - except for Tuesdays, and during major windstorms, apparently.
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Wow... I heard the Portland location is up for sale. Anyone know more about what's happening with our beloved restaurant?