IPOH SATAY HOUSE MALAYSIA

MALAYSIAN restaurants may abound on the Gold Coast but the man responsible for their widespread acceptance is Thomas Hoi who came to the region in 1980 from his home in Malaysia, opening the Coast’s first Chinese-Malaysian restaurant the large Banga Raya in Broadbeach.

Along with his wife Meelin and, aided as they grew by sons Michael and Sam and daughter Theresa, Thomas established his new venture, Ipoh Satay House but with less pressure, pressure reduced even further as his student children lent a hand.

Michael established his own restaurant in Tahiti where he now lives while recently married Sam has proved himself a more than worthy understudy to his father and has taken on much of the responsibility in the kitchen.

Michael’s surf photographs remain a prominent feature of this warm and welcoming family restaurant.

Essentially a Malaysian – Chinese restaurant, Thomas also includes a number of Thai dishes.

One can find the green curries or tom yums of Thailand or the hawker-style noodles such as prawn curry laksa or Singapore noodles. There is so much variety in Malaysian cuisine from Mongolian lamb to the distinctive hot Szechuan dishes.

The ever popular roti chanai with its delicious curry sauce is a worthy starter.

Deep fried Hainese chicken in soya sauce is a most enjoyable main. It consists of moist tender chicken with a crispy skin on a bed of sliced cucumber for added texture. The dish is finished with a tasty soy sauce and chilli and ginger salsas.

Belacan green bean prawns from the blackboard specials is excellent – crisp green beans and succulent prawns in a clean fresh sauce while coconut jelly is always a light way to end an enjoyable meal.

VERDICT:  A delightful suburban family restaurant
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Location: Shop 5, Waterway Wonderland Shopping Centre

Corner Sunshine Boulevard and Karbunya St

Mermaid Waters QLD

Phone: 07 5572 5911     

Open:  Tues – Sun from 5pm