New Malaysian restaurant Penang! in Westfield’s Shepherd’s Bush serves up a menu inspired by the street food of Malaysia and its food capital, Penang. The clue is quite simply in the name…The trendy ‘street eats’ theme extends to the restaurant’s vibrant interior – the walls are bright and cheerful, diners perch on colourful chairs, the cocktail menu is made from an old record sleeve and displays of old authentic food tins decorate the shelves. It might have nicked a few ideas from Wahaca, but there is enough of a twist to keep things original.
The menu is split into small and big dishes which means you can do the popular sharing shebang and there’s even a handy section which labels food in levels of spiceness. We were Penang! pros by the time we’d finished reading. Wanting to try almost everything, we chose 6 small dishes and sides and a large dish to share, which turned out to be just the right amount for two hungry people.
Highlights included the perfectly succulent salt and pepper fried squid, the delicate yet meaty prawn stuffed parcels and the peppery tender beef satay skewers which came with a rich, textured peanut sauce. Slow cooked beef curry with jasmine rice came in a wonderfully warming coconut and lime sauce and we finished off our starters with a zingy prawn chilli udang salad dressed with mint and coriander leaves.
Half grilled marinated chicken with stir fried vegetables was a little on the bland side so cross that one off your list and stick to the other dishes. Malaysian food for the London masses, Penang! is a modest, friendly restaurant that delivers the goods with a range of fresh dishes that pack a tasty punch. We predict that there might be a few more Penangs! springing up soon…..just watch this space.
Westfield London, Southern Terrace, Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7GA
www.eatpenang.co.uk