SAMBAL SHIOK @ THE SUN & 13 CANTONS

For those of you who missed out on Sambal Shiok's past, sell-out residencies at Newman Arms and Salvation in Noodles, cheer up, as they have just recently started their new residency at The Sun & 13 Cantons in Soho - for a whole THREE MONTHS (!)

So there's definitely plenty of time to seize this opportunity to sample Sambal Shiok's delicious take on modern Malaysian food.

Like the past residency, the menu showcases a selection of Spicy Laksa Soup Noodles that are sure to get your tastebuds tingling. The spicy coconut chicken and prawn broths have a great kick to them and are greatly comforting especially when the weather is chilly. But not to worry, for those of you who can't handle that much spice, you may order an extra portion of coconut milk to tone it down - nobody will judge you (!)

I'm sure most of you would be familiar with the ever popular signature Malaysian dish, Nasi Lemak - a dish consisting of fragrant coconut pandan rice, spicy sambal chilli, cucumber, sweet pickled red onions, peanuts, deep fried anchovies and egg, that you can also choose to have it plain, with ayam goreng (fried chicken), beef rendang, or the vegetarian dahl version.

Furthermore, you can order some small dishes/bar snacks on the side to share, such as the Hainan Dumplings ('pot-sticker' dumplings with Hainanese ginger chilli sauce, that I would highly recommend!), Ayam Goreng (Malaysian fried chicken) or Vadai Kerepek (lentil fritters). For those with larger appetites, there are plenty of extras to add on if you wish to do so.

For those with a sweet-tooth like myself, there are some Malaysian-inspired desserts available to order, such as the Malaysian peanut pancake and bubur cha cha.
To quench your thirst, there is hot teh tarik which is one of my favourite Malaysian drinks, as well as cincau and limau ais.

And if all that mentioned above hasn't gotten you salivating and craving for some Maaysian food already, then I'm sure that the photos below will...

Centrally located in a renowned Soho institution, the residency runs from 29th March 2016 until 1st July 2016 - Lunch is available from Tuesday to Saturday (12pm - 3pm), and dinner on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (5.30pm - 9.30pm).

Walk-ins and takeaways are also available at all times.

If you fancy a taste of Sambal Shiok's hearty burgers and mouth-watering rice-boxes with a Malaysian twist, you can also find them trading at Street Food Union (Fridays) and Southbank Centre Market (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) - check out the website for full details on trading hours. 

The Cheekster, signing out x

POP-UP: SAMBAL SHIOK TAKEOVER AT SIN

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016! 

This is officially my first post for the year, and what better way to start off than with a feature on one of my favourite people.

You may have read my previous post back in November when Sambal Shiok did a 6-week pop-up at Newman Arms - a stupendously successful sell-out event.

Well, if you were not fortunate enough to make it to that, fear not, as of today Sambal Shiok will be taking over the Salvation in Noodles (SIN) venue in Finsbury Park.

From January 2nd - 17th January 2016, every evening from 6-10pm, for seven days a week, you will have this special opportunity to sample some of Sambal Shiok's delicious take on modern Malaysian food.  

The menu is much more extensive than the previous pop-up, with the Spicy Laksa Soup Noodles category featuring not one but FOUR different options that are sure to get your tastebuds tingling. Her spicy coconut chicken and prawn broths have a great kick to them and are greatly comforting especially in this cold, wet weather. But not to worry, for those of you who can't handle that much spice, there is a milder, creamier version which is available upon request (!)

I'm sure most of you would be familiar with the ever popular signature Malaysian dish, Nasi Lemak - I tried the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng which was absolutely scrumptious. A dish consisting of fragrant coconut pandan rice, spicy sambal chilli, cucumber, sweet pickled red onions, peanuts, deep fried anchovies and egg, that you can also choose to have it plain, with beef rendang, or the vegetarian dahl version.

Furthermore, you can order some small dishes on the side to share, such as the Ladu Hainan Goreng ('pot-sticker' dumplings with Hainanese ginger chilli sauce that I would highly recommend!), Ayam Goreng (lemongrass chicken poppers) or Dahl Mamak (tomato lentil curry).

And if all that mentioned above hasn't gotten you salivating and craving for some Maaysian food already, then I'm sure that the photos below will...

Conveniently located less than five minutes away from Finsbury Park station (and only TWO stops away from Kings Cross Station via the Victoria line) I would definitely recommend a visit. You can always trust a Malaysian's word, especially when it comes to food...

No reservations - you know the drill.

 The Cheekster, signing out x

POP UPS @ NEWMAN ARMS: SAMBAL SHIOK + TATA RICEATERY

Those of you who are familiar with the London streetfood scene must surely have heard of Sambal Shiok, purveyor of Malaysian delights with a modern twist. 
You must have come across her legendary satay and rendang Malaysian burgers, and mouth-watering riceboxes, and if you haven't booked yourself in for their latest residency yet, then now is the time to do so whilst you still can (!)

For SIX nights only Sambal Shiok will be showcasing their amazing Prawn Curry Laksa at the Newman Arms in Fitzrovia, alongside a selection of Rieslings specially selected by Zeren Wilson (Bitten & Written).
Hot bowls of comforting, aromatic broth filled with yin yang noodles (rice vermicelli and egg noodles), juicy prawns, beans and tofu - Laksa Nights is guaranteed to warm you up on a cold winters day. Beautiful flavours with a good spicy kick to it that will surely leave your tastebuds tingling (in a good way, of course)
 There are also sides of chicken satay ssams, dessert, wine and other drinks available to purchase on the night. 

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get a preview of the delicious laksa, so if you haven't been convinced yet, then I'm sure that you will be after having a look at these photos...

Running from 14th November to 19th December, there are two sittings each Saturday (5.30pm and 7.30pm) - seats are almost SOLD OUT, so hurry and book yourselves in before it's too late (!)
  There are also a limited number of walk-in spaces in the downstairs pub area. 
First come first serve - you know the drill. 

Another pop-up that I would recommend having a look at is Tata Riceatery, which runs on a Sunday. One of the latest streetfood traders to pop up in the London scene, Tata Riceatery has teamed up with Japan Gourmet to present you a delectable five course tasting menu (all based on rice) with sake pairing.

I attended the first event on 8th November, and this is what it looked like...

Congee Congee + Fukuju Awasaki Sparkling

Pumpkin, Rice Broth, Caviar + Rihaku Dreamy Clouds

Chicken, Rose, Rice Wine + Amabuki Rose

Fishermen's Rice + Katsuyama En

Horchata + Amami Umeshu

All five courses were nicely executed, wholesome and not overly-complicated - it was hard to choose a favourite.  
And trust me, they tasted as good as they looked.

Bookings can be made by email via tataeatery@gmail.com (bank transfer) or via this link.
The next event is on 22nd November, followed by 13th and 20th December.
If you love rice and sake as much as me, then I would recommend trying this out.

Two amazing pop-ups in a great, central location - what more could one ask for?

The Cheekster, signing out x