LDNReview
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Normah's
Included In
When you’ve done enough for society—whether that’s releasing a banger like Pon De Replay or discovering the Galilean moons—surnames become dispensable. So when someone says “I booked a table at Normah’s for dinner this Wednesday”, you should know who they’re talking about. But even if you don't, the correct response should always be “Can I come?”. Because the excellent Malaysian food being served here is something everyone should know about.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
This small spot—which you’ll likely take a few wrong turns before finding—is deep inside Queensway Market, and has been since 2015. If you follow the scents wafting out of the small door that leads to the kitchen, you’ll notice that there isn’t a whole team running around with whisks and dirtied aprons. It’s just Normah. Sending out plate after plate of perfectly fried chicken wings, mee goreng chicken, and king prawn laksa, all of which you’ll immediately regret agreeing to share. You’ll wonder how she does it and you’ll text your friends to tell them that you’ve figured out your death row meal: it’s Normah’s beef rendang. Most importantly you’ll learn very quickly, that if in doubt, order more roti.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
It’s a simple place, with a handful of tables and a fish tank in front of the till, but this isn’t a restaurant that concerns itself with appearances—it’s too busy focusing on flavour… which by the way, is fantastic. While the emphasis is on the taste, that’s not to say that the food isn’t presented nicely. The assam pedas seabass—which is often sold out by 8pm—arrives looking like a Davy Jones crew member drowned in a bright crimson coloured sea, and the rendang is hiding underneath a pile of flaky roti. The mee goreng, which is one of the less attractively presented plates, will look like the most appetising bowl of noodles in the world, because by that point you’ll trust that Normah knows what she’s doing. And she does.