malaysian lunch joint

Jimmy's Recipe Malaysia
Ground Floor, Galeries Victoria
500 George Street, Sydney

In 2002, I was brought to this diner style laksa house by two Malaysian friends who were missing home cooked meals.

It doesn't look nice, the service is pushy but the food is good. It's a home away from home for many Malays and a great lunch venue for those of us working in the city.

Jimmy's is where I first discovered assam laksa – a wonderful sour soup flavoured with mackerel and tamarind. Unlike most laksas, and to my delight, there was no coconut milk and so the broth was clear and fragrant. Filled out with rice noodles, the surface of the soup floats with fish pieces, cucumber, pineapple, red onion and half a boiled egg. I adore this light broth and devour the noodles with chopsticks smothered in sambal oelek.

I also enjoy their nasi lemak, a plate of rice cooked in coconut milk and served on a tray with little individual compartments for achar (pickled vegetable chutney), ikan bilis sambal (chilli and dried anchovy sauce), fried peanuts, a boiled egg, fresh cucumber and curry (usually Rendang).

Another reliable dish from Jimmy's is the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Glistening rice that has been cooked in chicken stock is served with your choice of drumstick or breast, accompanied by a light chicken broth with herbs. A brilliant red chilli sauce and murky, yet delicious, ginger sauce complete the meal.

Roti Canai is the favourite of one pal who orders two flat roti and a small bowl of curry for dipping: chicken or lamb. Other friends prefer Har Mee (prawn noodle soup) or the Beef Laksa, usually on special.