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sterrey

The atmosphere here, as with Bed bar, is very chilled with candlelit tables, and the vibe of being transported. Friday night was busy and took a while to get the food out to us, but if you need to chill out and eat delicious food, don't miss it

1 year, 3 months ago

duncanshaunsmith

Great atmosphere and very good food. Service can be slow though if it is busy. Well worth a visit.

1 year, 1 month ago

ricksk

Was recommended to this place by an American..whom just came to China for a visit. Kinda ashame that I haven't heard of this place even after living in Beijing for 6 years now. Food is tasty although very expensive compared to the portion that was served. Some dishes looksmore like having been customized rather than authentic Malaysian style. Nevertheless, who cares as long as it taste nice. Like the old Chinese courtyard style architecture.

1 year ago

adidasxk

It does have a very good atmosphere, dining in the courtyard does give another different experience.

But as mentioned it is more pricey than normal Malaysian restaurant, but pretty fair as well. The food is using some replacement ingredients, so some of the items might not live up to it.

The bar area is quite nice and calm, while the bed area is just cozy for a nice chat.

 

6 months, 2 weeks ago

dominic

I like hutongs for their atmosphere and people. Cafe Sambal has a lot of it, even though it has been slightly on the decline lately. Passed there today for some drinks and was slightly stunned to see that their plants were totally withered and cushions for the sometimes a little hard old chinese chairs not readily available. I haven't had tried the (somewhat pricey) food yet, so I cannot comment. Still, quite a nice place to go for a chat, especially in the evening.

 

6 months, 1 week ago

xigor

I don't agree with the above comments. For me, Cafe Sambal is just a rotten place with average Malaysian food and relatively pricey offering.

Look at the walls: the walls are moldy, paint is falling. It doesn't cost much to spend couple of days renovating the place and providing a basic hygienic environment. This is just disgusting to eat with such a mold sight next to your plate of food. I can't call a place dirty, a hip place. I feel the restaurant is just a trap and trying to be cool.

Food is just average and definitely not worth its price tag. Only on the drink list, Mojitos are really worth giving a try.

Service is simply amateur. Waitresses seem have been recruited from the street with a 1 hour training.

For all the respect I have for Cho (the owner), every time I have been to Cafe Sambal, I felt being cheated. That's probably the reason why I don't go there anymore.

 

6 months ago

elsiecakes

I like this place. Maybe I didn't notice the mould because it was too dark but I took some friends there and we really enjoyed ourselves. Being part Indonesian, I can appreciate that when I ask for spicy, it's the kind of spicy I would get in Indonesia. My only beef with this restaurant was the sticker shock I recieved when I looked at the prices on the menu. Still, I must say I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, which is the stuff that will keep me coming back.

 

6 months ago

conker206

Rather unpleasant experience. I'm not sure about other folks, but the atmosphere was dark and dreary (so dark that they provided flashlights to with the menu), food is far from authentic, and service was well no more than any other restaurant in the hood.

Ordered Beef Rendang, Mutton Curry, and Chicken Satay, Sambal Eggs -- hmm, call it innovative or fusion, but preparation was far from anything I experienced in Singapore, Shanghai, or even as far as Vancouver.

Our experience was disrupted when the curry came and there was no white rice to be found. After waiting for an entire cycle with that tiny rice cooker, we were finally served some mush wet rice. Wow, thing like that to rob the curry of its full glory; had it any in the first place.

Sorry to say, but the vote is THUMBS DOWN from this foodie.

 

5 months, 2 weeks ago

kurov

Cafe Sambal is just bad value for money. Four people can easily rip through RMB1000 if they order wine, and that's way too much for what you get - competently prepared Malaysian standards. It's the tiny portions and the savage wine markups that do the damage, and all the smiling service and cutesy hutong ambiance in the world don't compensate.

 

4 months ago

luminouzity

i think cafe sambal has a really unique ambiance. the food is good. i asked for their sambal (chili sauce) and it tasted like what i had at home (im indonesian). very good. their ikan bakar is also really good. omg... rendang is good. kangkung belacan, beef/chicken curry is good too. the price tag following the dishes are pricey. but i like the environment so i think its ok. the service is ok. never had problems with that.

but only one thing, i found the place is not really nice if u want to have a private conversation as people at other table can easily listen to what ure talking about especially when not many people in the restaurant. some of the seats i found not so comfortable. i tried several spots, they have the wooden chair, wooden bench even there are some seats that allow us to sit without chair with low table (japanese style).

but still i will come back for the food. i like it.

 

2 months ago

chrissy_ysy

By far the best and most authentic place for Sambal and Belachan lovers!

I'd say the food compensates for the "slow" service.

Don't miss their Rojak, Sambal Prawns, Kangkung Belachan. Yummmm...

Pricing is slightly Mahal, but then again there are loads of places charging a bomb without delivering the "real" stuff! :)

 

1 month ago