EAT : Kampong Ah Lee, Edinburgh
Many moons ago I use to be a frequent diner at Kampong Ah Lee but life changes and those regular meet ups become less frequent and friends disperse. There is one relationship I am glad to have reignited and that is with Kampong Ah Lee.
REVIEW OF KAMPONG AH LEE, EDINBURGH
Last week dining here, took me straight back seven plus years. The decor has been modified for the better, it’s more stream line and practical and I’m delighted to report that the food is just as outstanding as it always was.
This is no fine dining. It’s not contemporary and sleek. You come for the food and the friendly smiles (hidden behind a mask but you know). One thing is 100% guaranteed, you’ll leave with a very full belly and wish you were back inside eating it all over again.
Their menu is reduced at the moment due to a lack of staff (many of whom are still in Malaysia) but you honestly wouldn’t really notice. There is plenty of scope across noodles, rice, veg, meat, sides and soups to satiate even the pickiest of eaters. Favourite dishes include Laksa Noodle, Rendang Beef and Malaysian Spice Aubergine.
Dishes tend to arrive when they are ready, so there are no real starters but the first dishes to our table where the 5 piece Satay Chicken (£6.80) and the Roti with Curry Sauce (£5.00)
Chicken Satay was succulent with a chargrilled flavour. The satay sauce was of a good consistency and so good, you’ll end up dunking everything else in it too.
The Roti is a must order item. It’s ever so slightly sweet with gorgeous folds of cracked flatbread. The curry sauce brings a warming heat and happily will soak into this beautiful flatbread when dunked.
Rendang Beef and Coconut Rice were items we both wanted, so our server suggested the Beef Nasi Lemak (£10.50). A super sized large portion that also comes with peanuts, crispy fried anchovies, sambal, cucumber and an egg.
The rice was sticky and fragrant and the beef delivering on the spice front. The Nasi Lemak for me brings a true sense of Malaysia to the table with tropical aromatic notes of coconut, chillies and spice.
Noodles were next and CharSiu Noodle (£8.90) was up. Deeply spiced succulent pork strips lay atop a mound of soft fat noodles and underneath lay blanched pak choi or choy sum. There isn’t too much spice here and little heat but it’s so compliments the pork and noodles, that you’ll be slurping until the last noodle is gone.
My delight was so evident when I seen that what use to be my favourite dish was still on the menu and I was delirious when it tasted the same. Freaking yum!
This is the Golden spicy Chicken (£10.80). Crispy gnarly nuggets of chicken so soft and tender they melt in your mouth. The crunchy outside allows the sweet stick sauce to clingy lovingly to it and you hit the jackpot when you find a piece pocketed with pools of sticky sauce. Eat it with the slices of chilli to give it a kick, or just eat it all to yourself. You can choose.
The food here is incredible. It’s one of those places, that when you leave, you talk about the food all the way home; you text your friends about this incredible food you’ve just eaten and take pics to show family. It really genuinely is that good.
The staff are brilliant, keeping your ice cold beers topped up and happy to provide descriptions of the food and make suggestions based on your likes and dislikes, and the volume of heat you’d like for your food.
Their slogan is Malaysian Delight and I can confirm that it is so. We are so lucky to have this hidden gem on our doorstep.
Kampong Ah Lee, 28 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9HX www.kampongahlee.co.uk
My Spoon Award : Tartan Spoon 10/10
I was invited by Kampong Ah Lee to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.