By Candice Macalino

Special to The Post

 

I long for the flavours from my childhood growing up in Singapore so it's a rare treat to find a Vancouver restaurant making good Malaysian food at a bargain.

For a value of $9.99, Kedah House Restaurant & Cafe's AYCA (all-you-can-eat) buffet offers a small spread of Malaysian dishes that are fresh and flavourful.

Owner and chef, Cheslah Othman, named the restaurant, Kedah, after the Northwest Malaysian region of where she is originally from. Operating the modestly decorated restaurant since 2006, she proudly asserts her place as a pioneer of authentic Malay cuisine in Vancouver. 

My meal started with the build-your-own Gado Gado salad.

I towered lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced fried tofu, shredded turnip and bean sprouts and then topped it all off with a sumptuous savory peanut sauce. The contrast of crisp veggies and savory sauce was wonderfully refreshing.

When I returned to reload my plate, Cheslah's husband Mohammed explained how the beef rendang returned to become a buffet staple - numerous customers protested when it was replaced by other Malay dishes.

After tasting the tender beef rendang that was stewed to perfection in a rich coconut curry, I can understand their addiction!  

The fluffy steamed basmati rice and sambal telur, hard-boiled eggs cooked in chilli paste, teamed well with the beef rendang. It was culinary nostalgia when the familiar combination of complex flavours reminded me of warm afternoons feasting on hot Malaysian food in an outdoor Singapore hawker centre.

Light banana cake with kopi, Malay coffee known for its stronger, darker and richer flavours, cap off my meal with a sweet ending. At Kedah House you can expect friendly service, bold flavours and good value - a humble approach to simply delicious food.

For more Kedah House food photos visit, Candice's Cusina at www.candicescusina.blogspot.com.

 

*Kedah House Restaurant & Cafe*

1652 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver

604-325-9771

Wednesday & Thursday: 11:30am-2:30pm & 

5:30pm-8pm

Friday-Sunday: 11:30am-9:30pm

Monday & Tuesday: Closed 

 

*Candice’s Recommendations:*

Daily buffet: $9.99; From Friday-Sunday Malay fried chicken rice is offered in the buffet; Roti Canai: $6.00