Myself Mrs Del Monte, Horse, Filly and Cuy Chactado and Welshman went to the largely unremarkable Rasa Penang (http://www.rasapenang.co.uk/) for supper so I could tick off Malaysia from my list. As it turns out, it serves a hodge-podge of Asian cuisines, but the hugely tolerant waiter directed me to the Malaysian Beef Rendang. This was after we were hectored by the fearsome manageress into ordering starters. She wanted to get her money’s worth as the curse of Del Monte struck again and we had the run of the place.

The starters were very good indeed. Delightful dumplings, deep fried prawns, squid and aubergine, the latter especially was very enjoyable. The mains were equally well received, if not definably Malaysian, though my Rendang went down a treat. It could have been bigger and was very reminscent of Japanese style curry. There was no Malaysian beer to be had so it was accompanied by a tall, cool Tiger. The internet has told me that there is one Malaysian rice beer, called Jaz, and I would have like to have given it a go. I would have polished off a few tall, cool Jazzes. I would have got Jaz everywhere. On my face, in my beard. I guess I’m just Jaz hungry.

Rasa Penang is nice enough, but doesn’t warrant a trek. £190 for 6 people, including quite a lot of pink prosecco which I don’t think is a real thing, but put us in an excellent mood. I’ve seen a Malaysian pancake place outside of Shepherd’s Bush tube station, but it’s very unwisely situated next to a place selling Bratwurst. They should have gone next to the Raw Broccoli stand. Have I missed out on a wealth of Malaysian cuisine?

MALAYSIA!

There’s nothing more satisfying than a long-awaited dumpling.

Ren-a-dang-a-ding-dong!

How terribly Malay!

Them’s a lot of napkins

Charming, isn’t it?

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