Malaysia Kopi Tiam has shifted locations through central London a few times now and it was only through bellaphon that I learned of its current location. Back when it was at its first spot, a number of years ago, I visited it with my brother but I think I ordered badly – some duck noodle dish that wasn’t that great. I think my brother had char kway teow served up in a hideous mini wok thing. I never returned. Since then, that location went empty and then I heard it opened up elsewhere and then it popped up on bellaphon’s blog and he’s been very keen on the food.
Blai and I found ourselves close to Charing Cross Road one weekend after some work commitments when we thought of having a quick and cheap bite to eat and I took this opportunity to give the place another try. The frontage is a bit messy with advertisements for Malaysian food, Thai food and another huge upright banner advertising Chinese hot pot (but I think this is at another restaurant?!). We entered, were seated and given two menus – one for Malaysian food and the other for Thai. We ignored the latter.
The Malaysian menu is entirely pictorial, which makes for tasty decision making. I also noticed that the duck noodle dish I had before is no longer listed – this is a good thing! Between us, we split a handmade Hakka mee and a nasi goreng. I don’t recall ever having this first noodle dish before but what arrived was pretty good. The dry noodles are tossed with a seasoning mixture involving dark soy and were accompanied by three ways with pork: char siu (Chinese roasted pork), seasoned minced pork, and a bowl of wonton soup…which had a porky filling. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really tell if the noodles were really hand/homemade as they tasted of just regular egg noodles. The porky things were all tasty enough although the char siu was scarily red.
The nasi goreng was really a nasi goreng istimewa (special fried rice), which I particularly like so I was pleased that it was not just plain fried rice. A fried egg, very delicious and peppery prawn crackers and sliced cucumber accompanied the quite tasty nasi goreng. This really hit the spot as I was craving rice that day!
While the restaurant was empty when we arrived, it was totally packed when we left. Most of the punters were native Malaysians, many of them students who are probably on budgets. And this is definitely a budget place – I think we spent a total of £12 for these two dishes. I’ll definitely be back (especially for the Hokkien prawn mee that’s only available on Sundays and Mondays)!
Malaysia Kopi Tiam
67 Charing Cross Road
London WC2H 0NE
Tamarind and Thyme 
Sat, 20 Jun, 2009 at 07:58
Yeah.. they have moved several times! I went to the one that was decorated modern and chic some time ago where the price tag was a bit of my concern. I don’t think if they have closed that one and re-opened this.
Sat, 20 Jun, 2009 at 09:22
I went there on a Sat a few weeks ago and was SO disappointed they didnt have Hokkien prawn me – it’s the dish I use to grade all Malaysian Restaurants! Will also be back to try that.
By the way I heard Kiasu (Queensway) is closed… is this true??
Sun, 21 Jun, 2009 at 16:07
Hi Su-Lin, went back today and it didn’t disappoint. Thanks for the mention.
Sun, 21 Jun, 2009 at 20:47
Ooh, thanks for the rec! I defer to your judgement in all things Straits…
Tue, 23 Jun, 2009 at 05:41
i’m visiting london for a short time and tried this place – it was great! i had delicious laksa mee with chicken for only 7.50 pounds. thanks for the recommendation!
Sun, 28 Jun, 2009 at 20:01
mycookinghut: I think they closed that one… I wonder what it looked like (the second opening).
catty: Sunday and Monday only! I saw on Chowhound that Kiasu is open again. I’m not exactly keen on it…or on the name.
Les: No, no, thanks to you for leading the way!
Helen: And I trust Les too!
angela: Glad you liked the place!
Wed, 1 Jul, 2009 at 03:01
aha! I have a Kopitiam in the area too (I guess that’s a rather generic name). The fried rice with the egg on top looks so good!
Wed, 8 Jul, 2009 at 17:47
foodhoe: Kopi tiam translates to coffee shop and it’s the generic name for these casual half outdoor hawker places, usually serving breakfast and coffee and sometimes lunch. So yeah, that explains why there are so many restaurants around the world probably named as it!
Tue, 14 Jul, 2009 at 10:11
Went there with friends on Sunday (12th July). We were seated up-stairs as the ground floor restaurant was full. We must say the place served truly and authentic Malaysian and Thai food alright. We had Assam Laksa, Prawn Noodle, Pad Thai, Penang Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Mee, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Sambal Carrot Cake, Yam Cake, Tom Yam soup, etc. Finished off with ABC ice kachang and sweet bean curb. Enjoyed our time eating there. The smell of bunga kantan (‘ginger flower’) in the Assam Laksa alone makes me want to go back there to have it again. (N.B. Assam Laksa only available on Sunday and Monday, we are told). Saw people eating mini-steam boat. Must try that sometime, perhaps nearer winter time.
Fri, 17 Jul, 2009 at 21:51
Yongong: Wow – you’ve had a lot of their dishes! Glad to hear their assam laksa is good – I’m quite fond of it! I must try their carrot cake too. Thanks!
Sat, 3 Oct, 2009 at 08:42
Went back there again with friends recently. As usual, the place was packed full with diners, mostly people from East Asia. Did not eat Malaysian/Thai food. Instead had ‘mini-steam boat’ for less than £10 per head. Really good value for a ‘steam-boat’ meal. Thought I let you know, Su-Lin, and you must try it, especially at this time of the year when the weather is getting colder.
Mon, 5 Oct, 2009 at 13:27
Yongong: Thanks for the report back! I was about to head there yesterday but instead went to try Leong’s Legends again. I’ll try to head back soon!