Mamak, Haymarket

Mamak is a somewhat famous place. It received one hat sometime ago and its windows are plastered with cutouts from newspapers hailing it as a good ‘cheap eat’.

I have to disagree with the hype. Mamak doesn’t take bookings so there is often a queue out the door. While you wait, you watch the chefs toss the roti in their hands and it smells very good. The anticipation builds up, so you expect the food to be something special.

And then, alas, you are disappointed. Or maybe it is just me? I suppose it is relatively cheap fare so it won’t break your bank to give it a try.

Let’s start with some drinks.

I prefer their teh tarik, which is a traditional malaysian hot milk tea with foam on the top that is created by pouring the tea into the cup from a ‘great height’

I guess you could say that Mamak’s speciality is their roti. They make it fresh when you order it and it comes in both savoury and sweet varieties.

Roti pisang- roti with bananas with ice-cream ($6.50)

Mamak’s is open late but as I said before, during peak times, you might have to wait in line for a seat. Here’s a tip: they have a stall at the Chinatown Friday night markets, around the middle of the markets near the first alley. All the goodness of roti without the wait!

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Address: 15 Goulbourn St, Haymarket

Opening hours: Lunch: 1130am to 3pm
Dinner: 530pm to late

And you can see the menu here: http://www.mamak.com.au/menu.html