My lastest visit to Mamalee was in a moment of weakness. We had just finished a long night for drinking and were looking to sober up with some food. When hungry I always gravitate to what I know, and that is often Asian food. I was with Dennis, who is also from Brunei. So could not pass up having Malaysian food together, a cuisine that is similar enough to that or Brunei and closest to what we can find locally.
We came in knowing what we wanted and ordered it all. Sadly I didn’t have the wherewithal to know what it is I was eating, let alone enjoy any of it. So my notes are of how I remembered everything taste.
Roti Cani with curry sauce is always a must for appetizer. The flaky pastry-like pancake with its crispy phyllo texture has you picking up each flake to pop into your mouth. The curry sauce is the perfect blend of spices and sweetness, used as a dip you clear the bowl clean of.
Laksa seafood is another must. Admittedly not my favourite rendition, that position belongs to my mother’s spicier than creamy Laksa, made using paste imported from Brunei. Mamalee’s version is sweeter with more creamy coconut milk, it matches the lightness of the deep fried tofu puffs, fish cakes, and the thicker rice noodles.
According to Dennis, he remembered ordering the Hainanese Chicken Rice and Soup combo, but doesn’t remember eating any of it. I have the photos to prove we ordered it, but don’t doubt that drunk Maggi ate it all herself. I liked the tender meat that is as easy to pry from bone as it is to chew through. As soft as the rice it sits on. It is given most of its flavour from the sweet soy and side of green onion and ginger oil. An iconic dish you can’t find just anywhere.
The soup offers a comforting start with rich bone broth nutrients.
Another homey dish I like is the Curry Beef Brisket with Rice. Tender fall apart chunks of beef with softened boiled potato, sitting in a pool of gently spiced curry. Plenty of sauce to pour over plain streamed white rice.
Nasi Lemak is a Malaysian staple for breakfast. White rice with a fried egg and sliced cucumber, served with a side of dehydrated salty fish and crunchy peanuts mixed. Simple, but tasty with the variety of flavours and textures. Not my first choice, but fun to order just to be able to say its name.
The Malay Spicy Pan Mee is a new one for me. This is the first time I have ordered it, so wished I remembered enough of it to know if I would order it again. From looks alone I suspect I would, given that I do like a thicker, flat rice noodle and it had similar toppings to the above, but with more refreshing green onion.
Seeing as I don’t remember my latest visit all that much, I will definitely be back when the craving strikes.
The night ended with us trying to get a foot massage to sober up, but me being too out of it to sit up straight, then eventually puking to get right. I am impressed that even though I do not recall the evening, I still knew to take photos and they all turned out too.
Mamalee – Chinatown
186 Keefer Place, Vancouver, BC V6B 6L4
604-900-9800
mamalee.ca
