New Malaysian Street Food Joint Serves Char Siew Mee, Curry Hor Fun & Butter Kopi In Cafe Setting

Biz has been brisk

According to 13 Group’s PR rep, the idea for the concept was born from their CEO Javier Lau’s love for authentic Malaysian food. And he believes the venture will feed the appetite for affordable hawker food in the town area.

“A lot of Singaporeans say food in Malaysia tastes better and we want to show that this is not necessarily true. So we decided to bring the authentic taste of Malaysia to our shores and at the same time, ensure it is affordable so we can cater to the masses,” she tells 8days.sg.

“For just $6 to $8, you can enjoy a meal in air-con comfort.”

According to her, business has been brisk, especially at lunchtime. There are plans to expand the concept in other areas of Singapore.

The space

Taking over the space where The Forage Café used to be, Da Ma Restoran has been decorated with signs and posters to “transport you back to the Malaysian restaurants of the ’80s” with retro blue porcelain bowls and kopitiam-style cups to match.

There is even a metal pushcart, reminiscent of the ones hawkers used to push around to peddle their food. When it’s not too crowded, the staff will push the trolley around the restaurant, serving small bites and snacks like old-school butter cake, Swiss roll, and iced gem biscuits, a la dim sum joints.

The eatery operates like a no-frills restaurant. You place your orders on a chit before handing it over to the staff who will later serve them to you at your table.

The food

Da Ma Restoran offers a comprehensive menu featuring popular dishes from the various regions of Malaysia. The menu is categorised into eight “sub-brands”: Traditional Hai Nan Coffee, Roasts by Ah Zhong, Wei Kor Stir Fry, Bing Shu Noodle Stall, KL ABC Mamak Restoran, Lao You Handmade Dim Sum, Ah Bo Snacks and Penang Lucky Spring Pastry.  

Though the eatery claims to house “eight different hawker stalls under one roof”, these aren’t actually hawker brands from Malaysia, but something the folks behind Da Ma Restoran developed themselves. 

The offerings are curated and prepared by Malaysian chefs and hawkers with “more than 20 years of experience in their specialties”. Signatures include Hainan coffee, old-school butter cake and honey-glazed char siew, which is roasted on-site.

Rice and noodle dishes are priced from $7.80, while a la carte meat platters start from $10. Snacks and drinks are from $2.50 and $2 respectively.

While 8days.sg hasn’t popped by yet, here’s what you can expect from each of the eight “brands”:

Traditional Hai Nan Coffee: Kopi Butter, $3.80

Traditional Hai Nan Coffee: Half-Boiled Egg on Toast Bread, $3.80

Traditional Hai Nan Coffee: Hainanese Pork Chop, $12

Roasts by Ah Zhong: Honey Glazed Char Siew Wanton Mee, $8

Roasts by Ah Zhong: Trio Treasure Rice, $11.80

Wei Kor Stir Fry: Signature Wok Hey Shrimp Egg Fried rice, $8.80

Wei Kor Stir Fry: Wat Tan Hor, $8

Bing Shu Noodle Stall: Roasted Crispy Pork Curry Hor Fun, $8

Bing Shu Noodle Stall: Signature Pork Noodle Soup, $8.80

KL ABC Mamak Restoran: Traditional Nasi Lemak, $8.80

Ah Bo Snacks: Kon Loh Century Egg Dumplings, $6.80

Lao You Handmade Dim Sum: Siew Mai, $4.80 for three pcs

Penang Lucky Spring Pastry: Assorted cakes like Swiss roll, old school butter cake and marble cake from $3

The details

Da Ma Restoran is at 173 Bencoolen Street, S189642. Open daily 8am – 8pm. More info via website, Facebook and Instagram.

Photos: Da Ma Restoran