Med Salleh Kopitiam

Authentic Malaysian Delight in London's Heart

Descending into Med Salleh Kopitiam is like stepping through a culinary wormhole directly to the vibrant streets of Malaysia, right in the heart of London. My recent visit was a gastronomic escapade, beginning with the irresistible fragrance of lemongrass and galangal that greets weary diners like an aromatic embrace. Amid walls decked with superhero memorabilia and hand-scrawled customer love notes, it's the food that orchestrates the true spectacle. The roti canai, hypnotically flaky and served alongside its impossibly rich curry companion, may cause one to whisper sweet nothings about it for weeks afterward. Similarly, nasi lemak strikes a handsome balance between the goddess of spice and the demigod of texture, evoking a smile across every table.

Through an impressive litany of dishes like the precision-tender beef rendang and ice-shaving wizardry sneaking in under the guise of desserts such as durian cendol, this offbeat joint dances cheekily around your palate. Despite the salty whispers of an overpriced menu, the taste-per-pound here arguably delivers — especially when your meal comes laced with unexpected yet delightful Malaysian hospitality from the staff. To coin it as just another restaurant hardly captures their ebullient stature amid Bayswater’s bustling crowd. It’s one of those few places where both tummy and spirit leave satiated, weaving an unmistakable trail for frequent returns on cravings for authenticity dressed in the finest culinary threads. — Milo Tastemaker