"Originally sequestered behind an arcade on Bowery, West New Malaysia has been in our Chinatown rotation for years. It now spans two rooms, crammed with tables, that still fill up with regulars every night. You’re likely to become one of them once you try their crispy fried prawns with salted eggs—it’s one of the best things to eat in a neighborhood full of great food. Go here with a hungry group: The menu is huge, food comes out super fast, and if you come at lunch, lots of the entrees are available for under $15." - bryan kim, sonal shah, willa moore, neha talreja
"Since it’s down an obscure alleyway on Bowery, you’re probably not going to stumble into West New Malaysia randomly. But you should make a point to come here for some excellent Malaysian curries, big bowls of soup filled with seafood, and shareable entrees like sauteed chicken that’s perfectly tender and covered in spicy shrimp paste. The menu is huge, but no matter what you order, make sure to get the crispy fried prawns with salted egg." - bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, neha talreja, will hartman
"The menu at this spot off Washington includes a lot of mostly Chinese and Malaysian dishes, with the number-one star being the roti canai. It would take you at least a few months to go through their entire menu, but we recommend you start your journey with the spicy flat noodles, dumplings, and the aforementioned roti. Their charming indoor space is great for a quick weeknight meal, but we love this spot most for its reliable takeout." - anne cruz, kerry smith, marissa lamastra, michael sinatra
"Delivery and takeout available are available from this excellent Malaysian spot. Try some curry, seafood soup, and sauteed chicken." - hannah albertine, nikko duren, bryan kim, arden shore, matt tervooren
"Hopefully, this Malaysian spot represents the resurgence of the cuisine in Chinatown, where there was once a half-dozen such restaurants radiating from the corner of Allen and Grand. The compact dining room is casual and stylish, and jellied ices are a focus, including the wonderful black jello snow ice. The oyster omelet is also worth trying." - Robert Sietsema