It was dinner time with my best friend, and given he lives in North London, I traipsed there for an authentic Malaysian experience. Having toured Malaysia in 2015, I was in love with their food, but was it any good? Time to find out…
Ideal for:
Satisfying those cravings for authentic Laksa
Those that can handle their spice
Dining on a budget
Ambience & Décor
The café-style interior littered with bizarre memorabilia gave this cheap eat the look of an authentic Malaysian street vendor. The Malaysian locals accentuated this vibe and whilst it was cramped dining (a massive bugbear of mine) the lively atmosphere made it a quirky dining scene. The strong aroma of the laksa foreshadowed what was to come.
Service
The no-booking and 90 minute turnaround policy meant service had to be quite prompt. We were in and out in 40 minutes and that was a testament to their service. Do not expect any tableside manner though.
Food
Good, honest, home-cooked authentic food is what the diners want. This was certainly the case with their signature Laksa (left) (noodle soup). The 20 ingredients used to make the broth all sang harmoniously to the traditional flavour tones and packed an explosion of heat – the Laksa was not for the faint hearted. The chicken was velvety and juicy. Despite the large portion, even the beansprouts were polished off. Stunning.
To sample, we ordered Nyonya Chicken Pongteh (right). The chicken was beautifully cooked, with the shitake mushrooms adding earthy tones and texture. The potatoes added heartiness. Definitely tasted hints of cinnamon and anise, but overall this was a mild dish (which was a relief from the Laksa). The sambal relish is a personal favourite, which Sambal Chiok nailed with consummate ease. The mixture of the side sambal, chicken, mushrooms and rice gave another culinary delight.
True authenticity is tough to come by, so when a place like Sambal Shiok comes along, gastronomes wear a big smile on their face. The food was delicious, the atmosphere buzzing and yes, the décor was shabby, but that was the point. The food was spicy, but if you can handle it, the Laksa was all you need. This small gem will not stay hidden for long, so come down before those queues extend all the way down Holloway Road. Sambal Shiok gets an A+ rating.
Photos of Sambal Chiok and more can be found on Instagram here.
Final grade: A+
Final comment: Delicious and authentic Malaysian food at reasonable prices
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