Craving nasi lemak and kaya toast? Head to Penang by Crystal Woo, Chennai’s newest Malaysian restaurant

Penang by Crystal Woo, Chennai's newest Malaysian restaurant at KNK road has everything from kaya toast and nasi lemak to murtabak, alongside some Chinese and Thai staples. We bring you a first look

Khader Nawaz Khan Road, with its spanking new paver blocks and neat rows of streetlights is not the only thing to have transformed following a makeover. Crystal Woo Dimsum House, which threw open its doors in 2024, is now Penang, with cheery papered walls, a large, spacious dining area and an open kitchen where you can sneak a peek at flaky roti canai being made. 

“Penang is quite close to my heart; it is a city that promises a one-of-a-kind experience if you are a foodie. You can find anything and everything there,” says Dhasha Sendhil, owner. Growing up in a Malaysian household, Dhasha says meals involved a coming together of three food cultures; Malay, Indian, and Chinese.

 “There would be an Indian curry, or Chinese-style vegetables and a Malaysian curry or sambol on the side as well. I have always been passionate about the food of my roots, and was keen to replicate that experience here,” she adds. When it was time for a rebrand of Crystal Woo, Dhasha says she knew the time was right. 

Penang’s menu is a mix of Malaysian and Chinese dishes, with some Thai staples. We begin with some old favourites from Crystal Woo, the prawn toast which has a crunchy bread exterior coated with sesame and filled with juicy prawn, and a selection of the dimsum. The truffle mushroom dimsum that comes with a creamy emadatshi sauce is a delicious, bite-sized start to the meal. We then sample some satay; and while the chicken and the tofu satay are flavourful and juicy, both could use less salt. While the chilli mushroom starter feels like a familiar comfort Chinese appetiser, the rojak has us more excited. Dhasha says that the recipe Penang has, is from her mother, a chef and restaurateur who runs a Malaysian restaurant in the UK. 

Nasi lemak | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The rojak here is served as fried dough balls that are savoury with a sweet and spicy red sauce; flavours come together well. Another Malaysia classic that makes for a perfect bite-sized appetiser is the pai tee, crispy pastry shells filled with a chicken and vegetable mince.