You are spoilt for choice when it comes to booking a good restaurant in Edinburgh but it’s always interesting to find somewhere new and the locals around Quartermile enjoy a particular Malaysian restaurant on their doorstep. Nanyang restaurant offers delightful Malaysian cuisine in the heart of Edinburgh, nestled away amongst the new development of apartments and offices at Quartermile.
Going out for Malaysian is a great option and alternative to the Scottish fayre pubs and restaurants around the Old Town. The cuisine is an interesting mix of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Malay influences, which means you’ll need plenty of time to look over the menu and make your decisions. This isn’t so much of a problem as they offer some quality beverages to whet your appetite, while you decide, from refreshing pints of Innis and Gunn to cocktails or even ‘bubble tea’ if you want to try something new.
The good thing about Nanyang is that from the moment you walk in, you feel part of the Malaysian experience, as if you have walked in from the street markets to try the latest Malaysian Street Food served up in a high class fashion. A recommended starter is Roti Canai, a crumbly pancake, which comes with a warming curry sauce dip. The kind of thing you intend to share with your friend but end up tearing off the biggest piece for yourself. Siu Mai dumplings are also awesome and great tasting.
For the main, the popular dishes are Beef Rendang, which is sweet and spicy with the coconut, the Sambal Beef is deliciously served in a banana leaf and the Shredded Chilli Beef in a nest of noodles. There is plenty of curry dishes to choose from if you like it spicy and the Kari Laksa is an interesting curry soup with prawns. The traditional dishes of Nasi Goreng and Nasi Lamak are also to die for. The trick is to revisit this restaurant to make sure you try every dish or you’ll just starting eating your friend’s choice too.
Malaysian desserts are also worth a try as they are not likely to be found in other restaurants like black sticky rice pudding or Mango Bavouris. Nevertheless, the eating experience at Nanyang is second to none and a recent visit by celebrity chef, John Torode, demonstrates that this restaurant is up there with the best in Edinburgh and there’s even a new pub next door at No. 8!
You can book on 0131 629 1797.
Jon Exton