Insta-Chef Hits All the Right Notes
Alright, strap in because Mambow in Hackney is where you’ll be transported straight to the heart of Malaysia. I am thrilled that I chose Mambow for my March dinner outing.
A buzzing atmosphere, cozy decor, and plates of pure joy crafted by none other than popular Malaysian chef Abby Lee await you at Mambow. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. And let’s not forget those Insta-worthy moments – because trust me, every plate is a masterpiece waiting to be shared.
Ambiance:
The place looks dead smart with its simple style and soft lighting, making it proper inviting for a cheeky dinner with your dates. And get this – because it’s a tiny spot, you can peep into the kitchen from anywhere you sit! It’s like being part of the action. Makes the whole dining experience extra special.
Service:
I was proper excited about my event. Booked a table for 15 of us three months in advance. But when we rocked up, our table wasn’t ready. Bit of a letdown, to be honest.
But fair play to the staff, they were all over us once we got seated. You could tell they were keen to make sure we had a good time. Proper pros, they were. Made the whole vibe bang on.
Drinks:
Their wine selection was spot on. They think carefully about which wines would go best with their grub. The chilled red wine I had was the business! Went down a treat with all the spicy dishes we had.
Price:££
Can’t complain about the prices, especially the mains. Got my money’s worth, no doubt about it. Happy to shell out for what I got.
What I Ordered:
Achar Awak
These pickles bursted with the freshness of pickled vegetables, balanced perfectly with a subtle hint of spice that tingles the taste buds just right.
Kay Pachok
When those skewers landed on my table, I was chuffed to see them wrapped up all neat in a leaf. And the chicken was next-level tender and juicy, straight off the grill. Packed with all those mouthwatering marinade flavors, it was like a party in my mouth – spicy, smoky, and absolutely banging. Properly delicious, it was.
Lor Bak
The crispy outer layer of that roll? It was something else. And inside? Pork filling bursting with umami goodness that paired perfectly with the shrimp flavor.
But hold up – we can’t overlook that chili vinegar jam! Tangy, a bit spicy, and just the right kick to balance out all that richness.
Double Roasted Pork
This dish was an absolute flavor bomb. Spicy, but with layers of depth that kept you coming back for more.
And that pork belly? Slow-roasted to perfection, so the outside was all crispy and crackly, while the inside stayed juicy and tender. Then, they wok-fried it just right, giving it that smoky kick that took it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Sambal Petai Nangka
As soon as I took that first bite, all these different flavors going off at once, it was mental. The sweetness of the jackfruit was spot on, balancing out the fiery kick from the sambal perfectly.
And don’t even get me started on the textures! You had the tender jackfruit mixing it up with the crunchy petai (stink beans) – proper contrast that kept things interesting with every mouthful.
Gulai Lemak Pukuk Ubi Kayu
I was whisked away to the sun-soaked beaches of Malaysia with every bite!
I have got this coconut curry that’s just the right amount of sweet. But then, I have got these pea eggplants bringing in this earthy bitterness that balanced it all out perfectly. And the rainbow chard added a pop of freshness and crunch.
But here’s the kicker – the accompaniments. The fried tempe, all crispy and nutty, added this wicked contrast to the creamy curry. And those spiced peanuts brought this whole other level of crunch and heat that had me going back for seconds. Proper top-notch dish.
Blue Pea Flower Rice
Stunning Simplicity. Now, usually, rice is not the thing that grabs your attention, right? But this Blue Pea Flower Rice! As soon as it hit the table, I was proper captivated by its vibrant blue color. Reminded me of a clear sky on a sunny day, which I forgot when happened in London.
And then there’s the smell of lemongrass wafting through the air –, I couldn’t resist digging in before the main dishes even arrived! Ended up just tucking into this rice on its own – that’s how good it was.
Perut Ikan
The stone bass was cooked to absolute perfection. Crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. Every bite was starting off all crunchy and then tender fish meat came into pure deliciousness.
Then this Perut Ikan curry! Flavor explosion like no other. I got all these spices and aromatics coming together in this rich and fragrant sauce. Lemongrass, turmeric – bringing comfort and warmth with every mouthful. Trust me, you’ll be a fan after just one taste.
*Kambing Sioh
Slow-cooked to absolute perfection by Chef Abby Lee – I really think she’s got some sort of magic touch, or was it MSG? I am telling you that the sauce, I could drink it by the gallon – the tangy sweetness of the tamarind mixed with the earthy warmth of the coriander seed…
The real kicker was definitely the texture of those lamb ribs though. It was out of this world. Tender doesn’t even begin to describe it – this meat was practically melting in my mouth!
Onde-Onde
Salty-sweet goodness at its finest! These chewy rice balls had this Gula Melaka just oozing out with sweetness. But then, they’ve gone and added salted coconut for that extra crunch. I couldn’t get enough.
They took a bit too long to bring out dessert after clearing the main dishes. Time balance is key in a top-notch restaurant, and that’s one area where they could’ve done better. Still, didn’t take away from the overall vibe though.
Conclusion:
So, if you’re ready to take your taste buds on a trip they won’t forget, Mambow is the place to be. Just be sure to bring your appetite – and your camera, because you’re going to want to capture every delicious moment.
Oh, better to book much advance from here: https://resy.com/cities/ldn/mambow?date=2024-03-16&seats=2
