The last time we were in the area and I wanted to visit Mamalee for their homestyle Malaysian cuisine, they were already closed. So being in the area today and at an earlier time, we took advantage and headed there for dinner.
I have been a few times and continue to visit as a local spot that I want to support. I find them on par with other small Malaysian cafes, but appreciate how easy to navigate their menu is and how home spun the dine-in experience feel. No bells and whistles just a small mom and pop shop that reminds me of my childhood with dishes I grew up in, some of which are the closest to how I remember them when last in Malaysia and/or Brunei.
This was my guest’s first time and she let me take the lead in ordering. So I went for all the familiar favourites.
We started with an order of the Roti Canai, fluffy, light, and layered fried sheets of dough that you pull apart and then dip into a sweet coconut curry dipping sauce. I found the curry dip too similar to their laksa base and wished that there was a difference to separate them. As a dip I wish this was punchier to be able to carry more of the plain pancake.
The menu lists the laksa noodle soup as being spicy, but I didn’t get a lick of heat. My guest cannot take the spice and said this and everything else that had chilli visible wasn’t the least bit hot. They had 6 different versions of laksa where you are basically choosing the main ingredients amongst two types of noodles, bean sprouts, and tofu puffs. Considering the other dishes we ordered we went for their seafood option which is shrimp and imitation crab stick. They didn’t add much flavour, and were more for their texture. Overall I liked the mix of thicker chewy wheat noodles and the wispier vermicelli intertwined. I just could have used a richer broth to flavour all the noodles, as I found myself taking in sips from the rim of the bowl to get what I was lacking.
Another dish I usually order is the Hainanese Chicken Rice with soup combo, as you can’t find this offered at many places. This serves more than one person with more tender and juicy chicken pieces than chicken broth flavoured rice. There is also plenty of thinly sliced cucumber and sweet soy sauce pooled to add freshness and taste. There is a side dish of chilli sauce, but once again it wasn’t spicy.
The soup was a clear broth flavoured by the daikon for a simple and clean break, making this a full meal.
My guest was drawn in by the photo of the anchovies in the Nasi Lemak, hoping for the flavour of these normally salty fish, so we got that too. As this was nostalgic for me, I was on board. The highlight was definitely the crispy and slightly roasted whole mini fish. Where the dish shines is the plate coming together each of the elements playing their part. Crunchy peanuts, fresh cucumber, meaty egg, and the umami sauce together makes this dish one of a kind.
I believe the Chee Cheong Fun is new because this was the first time I have seen it on the menu. Otherwise I would have ordered it sooner, and now after trying it I would order it again. Two bite rounds of literal rice rolls and fish balls soaking in a sweet and tangy sauce. There was a dollop of chilli sauce, but outside of adding a vinegar tang, it didn’t really affect the dish. This I liked for its gummy texture and how fun the shapes were to eat.
In short, this hit the spot and was exactly what I wanted on the day. Glad we were able to visit and support this long standing local small business and their original location.
Mamalee Malaysian Delight
3144 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2H3
(604) 733-8882
mamalee.ca
