Here’s how Makan Makan revitalises the flavours of Penang

Makan Makan is one of our current obsessions.

The restaurant tucked away on Sukhumvit 16 revitalises the flavours of Penang and serves up an impressive range of dishes in a cool tapas style. They showcasing classic family recipes touched with enough twists to make you go ooh and ahh after the first few bites.

Translating to “let’s go eat” in Malay, Makan Makan boasts an approachable Eurasian food repertoire and a warm, dimly-lit setting bedecked with wooden and leather elements. It exudes a lived-in charm that makes you want to cosy up and unwind in the great company of food, booze, and friends until late.

[Hero and Featured Image Credit: Louis Hansel/Unsplash; all other images courtesy of Makan Makan]

For those who are yet familiar with the cuisine of Penang, it is a beautiful, drool-inducing marriage of Malay, Peranakan, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and European flavours. Metaphorically speaking, Penang cuisine is a melting pot of eastern and western culinary delights and that explains why it leaves such an addictive effect on foodies. Each dish boasts a perfectly balanced medley of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours. Think, Char Koay Teow, Nasi Lemak, and more.

Created by three Penang native siblings, Tania, Scott, and Troy Da Silva aim to bring diners travel to their hometown through the plates. They aim to make you feel as if you’re dining in their home, and not in a restaurant.

Whilst the menu is quite large, here are some must-tries we recommend you should order.

First off, get comfortable with a glass of wine along with the Devil Roti Roll (THB 168) and the umami-packed Chicken Meatball Vindaloo (THB 168), which is our absolute favourite. The meatballs are cooked in a simmering fiery curry that gives them the juiciness and kick we love to whet our appetites. The Eurasian Fish Stew (THB 225) and Sambal Prawn Quesadilla (THB 168) are also another two great items to tuck into for starters.

As for the mains, we recommend going for the Mamak Mee Goreng (THB 165) and Penang Char Koay Teow (THB 165), which is a staple dish in Penang. The stir-fried flat rice noodle comes with prawn, Chinese “lap cheong” sausage, and bean sprouts, and is coated in a scrumptiously smoky soy sauce – a similar dish to Thailand’s Pad See Ew, but with a bit more going on.

For those who love nasi lemak, their version is to-die-for, and just like any rare luxury, their special Nasi Lemak is only available on Friday and Saturday. Reservation is needed since it sells like hotcakes. 

Other than their Eurasian dishes, Makan Makan also doles out an array of western dishes to cater to all palates, for example, Bolognese Pasta (THB 235) and their Old-Fashioned Cheese Burger (THB 295). For the fusion takes on western dishes, opt for their Masala Fish Burger (THB 299) or Bok Chor Pasta (THB 235).

Cap off your meal also with their desserts. We suggest you go for the stellar Cendol Ice Cream with pandan jellies and coconut ice cream swimming in coconut cream. The restaurant also makes its own ice cream with different exciting flavours inspired by Penang cuisine. These span Teh Tarik, Goreng Pisang, Gula Melaka and even Chocolate & Blue Cheese.

Here’s a piece of Penang in the heart of Bangkok that you don’t want to miss out on.

Makan Makan, 168/1 Sukhumvit Soi 16, Khlong Toei, Khlong Toey, Bangkok, +662 077 5543; Open: Tue-Sun, 11 am-10 pm.