A spicy addition to the Malaysian market
- Author:
- Su-Lin Tan
- Posted:
- Thursday, 9 February 2012
Restaurant chain Mamak has dominated the hawker-style Malaysian scene for years but Chinatown’s new addition Nonya has opened to compete, offering similar fare without the long queues.
Both eateries are within 20 metres of each other and Mamak has amassed a loyal and patient following of diners.
But now Nonya, located on the first floor of the 1 Dixon St building, serves up a culinary creole of Singaporean and Malaysian dishes and a similar menu to Mamak.
While Mamak has its swashbuckling Prata experts in the front window and delicious Roti Prata to show for it, Nonya is likely to steal a few its competitor’s clients with its signature Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Owner and chef, Alex Lee, said: “I am passionate about food. I find it very rewarding to have customers who trek all over town just to get their fill of authentic and good Malaysian and Singapore food.”
Asked why he chose Nonya’s above street level location, Mr Lee said: “It’s a fabulous location – great outlook of Chinatown. But from the street, it is a bit deceiving. I think some people can get confused & think that Nonya is the restaurant on the ground floor.”
Mr Lee has an established reputation in the Malaysian food scene. He also runs the longstanding Ginger & Spice in Neutral Bay and has been an interview favourite with many Sydney food critics.
“It has been a difficult juggle but with good loyal staff, I have managed to split my time between the two restaurants,” Mr Lee said.
Even though Nonya opened on January 16, it already has a decent following.
“So far only flyers have been used. However, many patrons are here because they know me. Right now, I am just trying to get my staff skilled before it gets busy,” the chef-owner said. Dishes range from $6-14 and Nonya’s menu contains the traditional Bakuteh, a local soup favourite, the famous Hae Mee and the rarely seen Ngoh Hiang beancurd skin rolls.
Customers in the line at Mamak seem unaware of Nonya’s existence but could easily migrate across the road.
Rozelle resident Kerry Lake said: “I do like Mamak’s food but I am happy to try out Nonya.”
Angela Yu of Epping said: “I was walking past. And Nonya had Ngoh Hiang, which is exactly what my mother wanted.”
By SU-LIN TAN
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Story posted on Thursday, 9 February 2012, filed under Bondi View, City News. Follow responses via the RSS feed.
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