Phat Eatery

"Late chef Alex Au-Yeung’s ever-popular Katy Malaysian destination serves one of the most inventive fusion crawfish dishes in town with a unique boil made out of coconut milk and curry sauce. Decadent and rich in umami, this Malaysian meets Viet-Cajun style crawfish special is only available for a limited time (historically around March) during peak crawfish season, so be sure to turn on notifications on the restaurant’s social media profiles; then, venture down to its location in Katy or The Woodlands." - Brittany Britto Garley

"It’s hard not to gravitate toward this Malaysian eatery from beloved chef Alex Au-Yeung, a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist who passed away in 2024 after a battle with cancer. A giant neon sign that reads “FEED ME” greets guest, along with a breakdown of the word “Phat,” an acronym for “pretty, hot, and tempting.” If stumped on what to order, rely on the knowledgeable servers, who are well-equipped to assemble a belly-busting, family-style tasting menu with the restaurant’s greatest hits, like roti canai, Hainanese chicken, beef rendang, sizzling tofu, and mee go reng. Go hungry, and plan on having leftovers." - Minh Truong, Mai Pham, Eater Staff

"This lauded Malaysian restaurant will host a Year of the Snake feast with multiple seatings and lion dances by Lee’s Golden Dragon. The $88 per person Malaysian New Year’s meal includes traditional Malaysian dishes to usher in good luck and prosperity. Seatings are available at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 1, or 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 2 in Katy; and at 7:30 p.m. on February 1 in The Woodlands. Reservations are required." - Marcy de Luna, Brittany Britto Garley

"The beloved late chef Alex Au-Yeung opened Phat Eatery in 2018, focusing on Malaysian street food staples like roti canai and satay skewers. Au-Yeung succeeded in making it a must-try destination, ultimately expanding its seat capacity to account for its popularity (a second location opened in the Woodlands in June). Trendy yet casual and affordable, diners should prepare to order a slew of signature dishes, like its big and juicy curry-sauced crawfish, addictive shrimp dumplings, and house favorites like sizzling black pepper beef, Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping, and its signature saucy beef rendang." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Whether catering or dining in, Phat Eatery’s got you covered. The Malaysian restaurant offers a Thanksgiving to-go spread, complete with a honey-glazed turkey breast and leg, wagyu beef rendang wellington, Malaysian seafood fried rice, sides, and 2 quarts of lobster bisque for $320 (Orders must be placed by Sunday, November 24). Those looking to enjoy a dine-in experience for the holiday can settle in during its regular hours to find its full menu, plus a special Thanksgiving-themed offering for $35 per person." - Brittany Britto Garley