Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar
Malaysian restaurant · Lower Holloway ·
Malaysian spot serving fried chicken, rice dishes, and laksa
![Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar by Sambal Shiok [Official Photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QIfMIDhvylj1AVdJE9mVu79gnmU=/0x0:2016x1512/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:2016x1512):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22328162/Assam_prawns_3_course__1_.jpg "Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar by Sambal Shiok [Official Photo]")
![Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar by Sambal Shiok [Official Photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65736808/sambal_shiok.0.png "Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar by Sambal Shiok [Official Photo]")
Malaysian spot serving fried chicken, rice dishes, and laksa
"Started as a street‑food stand in 2013 and now a cozy 36‑cover Highbury restaurant, this cult Malaysian spot from chef‑owner Mandy Yin is best known for its signature chicken‑and‑prawn laksa. The five‑course tasting menu takes me through Mandy’s favorites, including a salad with the peanut sauce that launched her career and house staple nasi lemak; previous reviewers say it’s child‑friendly, delicious, and staffed by a great team—recommended for Londoners and those from further afield." - Charley Ward
"Sambal Shiok’s laksa is an absolute whopper of a feel good dish. The special - featuring king prawns, poached chicken, soft tofu puffs, noodles, and a shrimp-based broth that makes you sweat in excitement - is what you need this winter. The fried chicken with peanut sauce is an essential side. Just bear in mind it’s only open for delivery and collection Wednesday to Saturday." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak
"Sometimes a bowl of something warm, spicy, and absolutely loaded with the smell of shrimp is the only thing that will do. Thankfully, Sambal Shiok is right here. There have been countless grey days and shivering nights when all we have craved is a bowl of their special laksa. It’s packed with king prawns and poached chicken and, once you get to know your own optimum amount of coconut milk to add to the fiery, shrimpy broth (FYI snivelling is absolutely essential), then you’ll understand that this is one of north London’s most rejuvenating and comforting bowls of food. If you’re looking for a different type of noodle then Xi’an Impression and their hand-pulled biang biang noodles is of course opposite the Emirates Stadium, or you can swing by Hing Yip and make your own at home." - jake missing
"Sambal Shiok is a casual Malaysian spot on the Holloway Road serving dishes like fried chicken, salads with peanuts, and rice dishes. But the real attraction is the laksa—a noodle soup with a flavour slap to the face. Yes, some of the food is spicy enough to act as a chemical peel to the tongue. And yes, it can get a little crowded. But for hefty portions and a drink for £20 a head, Sambal Shiok can quickly become a weeknight dinner addiction." - jake missing
"What It Is: A casual laksa bar on the Holloway Road. Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Date Night, Catching Up With Mates, Solo Dining, Action At The Bar After a short wait, we got a seat at the bar and ordered a hefty portion of laksa, a Malay spicy noodle soup with king prawns and chicken. It tasted very good, it had a proper kick (and by proper we mean, like a drop kick to the private parts), and we’ll definitely be back to try side plates like fried chicken, salads with peanut sauce, and some of the rice dishes once the new opening excitement dies down a bit. The Verdict: A welcome addition to north London, we’ll be heading back once they get into their stride." - sam collins, oliver feldman, heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, eileen twum