Liam AndersonI blame my love of Malaysian food on one bowl of laksa. A few years ago, I found myself in a tiny Malaysian café outside of town. The place was steamy, the windows fogged, and the air thick with coconut and chili.
One bowl of laksa later, I was hooked.
Since then, I’ve made it my mission to find the best Malaysian restaurants in Vancouver – places where the sambal is hot and the roti is flaky.
So, if you’re ready to trade in your usual takeout for something with a lot more flavour, here’s where to start.
1. John 3:16 Malaysian Delights
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Address: 1063 W Broadway
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +1 604-423-5909
Price: $$
If you want big flavors, big portions, and zero pretense, John 3:16 is the spot.
I usually like to get their Char Kaoy Teow. It’s flat rice noodles, slippery and chewy, tossed in a wok that’s seen more action than most soap operas.
Every bite is a jumble of egg, plum, and shrimp. It has just enough bean sprouts to make you question why you ever settled for takeout lo mein.
| Pro Tip: Try the durian balls. I know durian has a reputation for being the world’s most controversial fruit, but hear me out. This dessert has a custardy, almost caramel-like center that’s more addictive than it has any right to be. Even my durian-phobic friends have been converted. |
2. Banana Leaf
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Address: 820 W Broadway
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10:45 PM
Phone: +16047316333
Price: $$
Banana Leaf is where I drag my most indecisive friends, knowing everyone will leave happy—and more importantly, uncomfortably full.
The Otak-Otak is what I start with. It arrives wrapped in a banana leaf, but peel it open and you’re hit with a waft of char and coconut. The fish mousse inside is so tender with little pops of lemongrass and chili.
I also like Kari Kambing. The lamb is soft, lounging in a curry so delicious you’ll want to take some home with you.
The potatoes are there mostly to soak up the sauce and make you feel slightly less guilty about mopping every last drop with roti.
| Pro Tip: If you leave without ordering the pisang goreng, I’m not sure we can be friends. It’s slices of banana battered and fried until they’re golden and crisp. I love the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream it comes with and that sticky caramel syrup. |
3. Ipoh Malay Cuisine
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Address: 1316 W 73rd Ave
Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday, Monday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Phone: +16045599898
Price: $$
Ipoh Malay Cuisine is where I go when I want food that’s messy and so good it makes me forget my phone, and maybe my manners.
There’s no polite way to eat the Kam Heong Clams, and honestly, that’s the point. The shells pile up, and the sauce is delicious—curry leaves, dried shrimp, and chili. You’ll need to order extra rice to soak it all up.
Their mango chicken is another fish that I like. It’s the sort of dish that disappears from the table in one go. The chicken has that golden crunch, tossed with ripe mango and slivers of onion. It’s got a sour yet sweet taste that lingers long after the last bite.
| Pro Tip: Try their Milo Dinosaur. It’s iced chocolate malt, buried under a landslide of Milo powder. |
4. Laksa King
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Address: 2546 E Hastings St
Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, 5 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Phone: +16044280155
Price: $
When I need a bowl of Laksa, Laksa King is where I go. I love how you can customize your order here with all the good stuff.
They have rice vermicelli for those days you’re pretending to be healthy and yellow wheat noodles for the ultimate chew—or have both. I personally think that’s the best choice!
When it arrives at your table, the Laksa will be practically overflowing. There are plump prawns, bouncy fish balls, tofu puff that soak up the broth like sponges, and even slices of chicken.
I love the coconut creaminess of the broth, and it has just enough spice to make me reach for my water.
| Pro Tip: Their satay chicken skewers might just become your not-so-secret obsession. They always come out juicy, charred just right, and served with a peanut sauce I could eat with a spoon if no one was watching. |
5. Mamalee Malaysian Delight
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Address: 3144 W Broadway
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +1 604-733-8882
Price: $
Mamalee’s Nasi Lemak is amazing—it’s what I get almost every single time. I love the crisp coconut rice, and the crunch of the roasted peanuts makes me forget about the anchovies.
Their Spicy Pan Mess is another good dish to try here. Their thick, handmade noodles always melt in my mouth. They also have anchovies in this dish, but the savory minced pork and the slightly salty poached egg are the stars.
| Pro Tip: If you’re the sort who needs dessert, their Roti Susu is non-negotiable. Every time I order it, it comes crispy like it was made fresh off the streets of Malaysia. I like how the sweetness of the condensed milk doesn’t overpower the pastry. |
6. Sedap Plus Malaysian Cuisine
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Address: 2975 Cambie St
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +1 604-879-6002
Price: $$
Sedap Plus makes pretty darn delicious Nyonya Butter Prawns. Now, I’m not saying I’d eat these for breakfast, but I’m also not saying I haven’t considered it.
One bite of their plump, juicy prawns and you might find yourself a seafood lover—if you aren’t already. They’re rich, buttery, and the curry leaves make it so good that you might not want to even share this dish.
The Daun Pisang Ikan Pedas is another dish I’d say to give a go. The fish comes wrapped up in banana leaves. One bite in and you can taste the chili, lemongrass, and lime marinade.
| Pro Tip: If you don’t really like seafood, give their Sambal Shredded Chicken a try. Their chicken is tender and has just enough flavour to keep you satisfied. |
7. Kopitiam Malaysia
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Address: 3885 Rupert St
Hours: Wednesday to Monday – 11 AM to 2:30 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +1 604-566-9898
Price: $
Kopitiam Malaysia Roti Canai’s are practically begging to be eaten from the moment they’re set down on the table. I’m always tempted to order another round of these fluffy, buttery pastries.
It goes excellently with their Kari Beef Brisket. It’s slow-cooked in cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and Malaysian spices until it falls off your fork easily.
Heck, they even make vegetables taste great here. Their Sambal Kang Kong made me change my mind about eating water spinach because of all the massive flavors they bring to this dish.
| Pro Tip: Another thing they do well here is their shaved ice. Their Rainbow Ice Kacang comes with slightly floral rose syrup, and that pandan with the jellies and milk ties it all together. It is delicious. |
