Delima: Finally, some proper Malaysian food in the East End

EDIT: ** Unfortunately. since writing this post, Delima have since closed their Brick Lane restaurant as of August 2012 **

Having been in the East end for coming up to 5 years now, I’ve been waiting for what has seemingly been an eternity for a decent neighbourhood Malaysian restaurant to show up in the Aldgate East-Spitalfields area. I’m pleased to say though that the wait is finally over. Proper Malaysian food has arrived, thanks to Brick Lane’s latest addition – Delima. So the next time you find yourself in Brick Lane, ignore the over-the-top touters offering free Cobra with your Indian curry and look out instead for this modest-looking neighbourhood restaurant which is dishing out some properly authentic Malay cuisine.

Beef Rendang – £7

If there’s one acid test to gauge the pedigree of a Malaysian restaurant, it’s through the quality of their Beef Rendang. Delima’s is benchmark quality – large chunks of tender beef…. the meat falling apart from hours of slow-cooking… and a rich coconut-based gravy that successfully combines the holy trinity of spicy, savoury and sweet flavours that define Malaysian cuisine. As far as Beef Rendang goes, this is as good as you’re going to get in London.

Ikan Panggang (Grilled Mackerel) – £7.50

The Ikan Panggang we ordered had that characteristic open-fire grilled char and the fish was fresh, plump and moist… full of rich savoury flavours. If I had one grumble, it was that the tamarind ‘assam’ sauce that accompanied the fish could have done with more kick. Otherwise, a very satisfying dish on the whole, especially given the whopper-size of a Mackerel we were treated to.

What really hit the spot though were their Fried Aubergines (Terung Goreng Berlada) which were oozing with smoky, char-grilled flavours. Their freshly ground chilli paste had that wonderful balance you get in all good sambals… a delicate yin and yang of sweet n’ spicy. Whats more, the large chunks of aubergine were cooked to just the right amount… the texture not overly firm, yet not too mushy either. Yummeh.

Terung Goreng Berlada (Aubergine fried in freshly ground Chilli Paste) – £5

With the bill coming up to £25 for 2, it’s all very decent value and a great budget alternative to your usual East End Indian curry. Besides the delicious food, it’s the warmth of the staff that will undoubtedly make me a regular here. It was a quiet Wednesday evening so we got the chance to speak at length with the owner Azman and his son as well as the chef (a Malay lady from Klang)… all of whom spoke openly about the philosophy of Delima and their reasons for moving away from their previous home in Paddington where they had been up and running for more than 2 years.

As far as I am concerned, Paddington’s loss is the East End’s gain. I seriously hope Delima are here to stay. With all this loveliness on my doorstep, there is no way I want to go back to trekking to the West End for a taste of home. I’m already dreaming of a return visit to try their Sambal Sotong, Murtabak and other lovelies from their wide-ranging menu…

G.

70 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RL | www.delima-restaurant.co.uk | ingested Wednesday 28th Dec 2011