Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Halal Food Guy
I’ve been to Penang City in East London twice before, both times as a paying customer, and this time I was invited down to give an honest review.
My experiences here have been genuinely mixed. My first visit was good, the second was disappointing, so I was hoping they could redeem themselves. Unfortunately, this visit didn’t quite get there either.
Here’s what I ordered:
- Mix Platter – £12.99
- Roti Canai Chicken – £8.99
- Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang – £12.99
- Prawn Sambal – £9.99
- Curry Laksa – £12.99
- Mango Sticky Rice
The chicken satay was overcooked, dry and had an unusual coating that didn’t resemble traditional satay, and the peanut sauce was lacking flavour. The chicken wings were disappointing too. They had a bitter taste and dark colour that suggested they may have been cooked in old oil. The spring rolls and curry puffs were okay, but nothing memorable.
The beef rendang had potential. The meat itself was soft and tender, but the flavour felt underdeveloped. A good rendang should be rich, deep and packed with layers of flavour, and this one never quite got there.
The Char Kuey Teow came out extremely spicy for me. To be fair to them, they remade it without chilli and the second version was much better.
The Curry Laksa was another disappointment. I had it here around a year ago and remembered enjoying it, but this version felt oily and the broth lacked the richness and depth I expected. The chicken curry served with the roti canai had good flavour, but there was very little meat and a lot of bone.
Overall, the food lacked the bold, vibrant flavours I normally associate with Malaysian cooking and was a step down from my first visit. Apart from the satay and wings, nothing was outright bad, but very little impressed me either.
The best thing about the meal was the Malay auntie working here. She was warm, welcoming and even remembered us from our first visit over a year ago.
Overall I’d score this a 4.5/10, below average. There are only two other Malaysian spots in East London, one in E17 and one in E20, so I really do want this place to be better.
📍 Penang City, 61 Upton Lane, London E7 9PB
✅ All food is halal (HMC certified)
✅ No alcohol
My meal was complimentary, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
