Dapur

OK, not for everybody, context: open only lunch time, no restrooms, no coffee, place is small which could be very nice if it’s quiet (for me it was on a Friday) but I guess less so if it’s packed.
But let’s forget that because the food is *so* enjoyable. I can’t qualify wrt authenticity (having not been to Malaysia) but this is way above «street food» level or «decent restaurant» level. The kind of taste (melting meat, freshness of spice, complexity and subtlety of flavor) that you how only in a very good restaurant. Certainly above «nice» or «simply executed». At 6 – 8 pound a meal this is a steal (without being of course a really cheap meal). I can’t guarantee that all dishes are as superb as the regular beef stew and coconut ride I had but I would be ready to take a chance.
And let’s not forget how you feel welcome in this place! This seems like this place was open by people who enjoyed smiling as they surprise people with nice food. I’m not personally big on service (bring me the flavor, and I’ll give you the respect no matter how you treat me), but it is certainly enjoyable too.
So if you are looking for lunch and don’t need restrooms, and the queue is not to be seen from the nearby corner, there should be no hesitating here.

It was the 2^nd visit for me to taste their delicious malaysian food!
What I ordered this time was a «Nasi Goren»! Yay!
The restaurant’s smell whetted my appetite and the staff was very kind and friendly with smile as usual.
I got so full when I had a beef Rendang last time, so this time I just got Nasi Goren which was very good with moderate spiciness lingered in my mouth a while. But maybe it was better to add beef or veggie’s topping? Next time!

This place has OK Malaysian food but SOOOOO STINGY which equates to EXPENSIVE-​LA!
I had to pay nearly £7 for a few bits of meat, veg and rice.
Until the owner stops being so greedy I’ll make my own which takes just as nice.

I think I found my go to Malaysian café in London. Met with Shariza the lovely owner, a fellow Malaysian. Will definitely come here again.

Yum.
This is easily the best lunch spot near Holborn.
One of my colleagues went here for lunch last week and raved about it so much that several of us went back today to see what he was on about! It is quite a small restaurant, but as Irene mentioned, they also have lots of space to sit outside.
I have only been to Malaysia once, so I am not an expert (at all) on this kind of food… but I thought it was all soooooo good. I tried the beef rendang, which came with coconut rice, an egg, cucumber, peanuts & anchovies and a good dollop of sambal.
I wish I could rewind time so that I wasn’t soo full, because I want to eat it all again!
Just come here for lunch and thank me with hugs later. (^^)

Dapur means kitchen in Malay language. I have been talking to my colleagues about Dapur for sometime before we finally went there last week — finally walk the talk! Please note that Dapur is open Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 3:00pm.
It took us about 15 minutes to walk to Dapur from Holborn. Along the way we passed many alleys and back streets. Dapur is indeed a wonderful little gem in the back streets. They serve halal, authentic Malay dishes.
When we got to Dapur there was already a queue for lunch. The café itself is compact, seating only 16. However they have tables and seats outside for customers to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun.
I ordered Option Two which is a choice of white rice/​coconut rice/​fried vermicelli noodles and 2 dishes, meat/​vege for only £6.95. I had white rice+ayam goreng bawang (fried chicken with onions)+stir fried vegetables served in cardboard box with plastic cutleries. I asked for extra gravy from the ayam goreng bawang and some sambal (chilli paste). The owner Sharizah and her staff Marliza were very friendly and also generous with their sambal :)
I like the ayam goreng bawang very much especially mixed with sambal. Truly authentic Malay cuisine! I only realised that I had not taken a photo of my food to post on Unilocal after I finished eating! There is always a next time! It was pleasant to seat outside to eat while our bodies absorb vitamin D from the sun…
After eating, it took us a few minutes to find a bin to dispose of our lunch boxes. Perhaps the owners would want to inform customers who sit outside where to dispose of their lunch boxes.
Dapur also caters for private events for a minimum of 15 people up to a maximum of 40 people.
Food is nevertheless authentic, delicious and reasonably priced!