jimmy's recipe malaysia

As a person of Malaysian heritage, I'm always looking for somewhere that brings me right back there. The heat that almsot sticks to your skin, the smells that waft around, the smoky flavours and that satisfying feeling in your stomach when you know you've eaten just that little bit too much, and done it all at half past 2 in the morning. The coconut rice, fresh and fragrant. The curries. Meat optional, because it's the gravy that does it, really. Not so much the mozzies and the cats that curl around your ankles while you're eating. Definitely the prices, if possible (though in Sydney, I'm thinking not so much).

It was three, maybe five years ago that the Malay Chinese moved on from its hidey hole next to the Chanel Store on Castlereagh and on to greener, Wynyard-friendly pastures. And those were pastures that I was unable to convincingly trek to and from in a brief lunch break. Luckily for me, a store named Jimmy's popped its little head up at me and opened in a far more convenient location (and one that was far more locate-able for those unfamiliar to it).

bain marie

I gotta say, first up, that I love Jimmy's. I mean, sure. It doesn't have the super crazy variety that some other Malaysian Chinese places may have. It doesn't have the freshly made roti (and the roti-master flinging it around in the window). But if you're looking for a quick taste of home (and some of the best laksa around) then you're hitting up the right place.

bain marie

The bain marie holds a multitude of tasty options. And fear not, for this is not your average dried-out meat, three-day-old curry bain marie. And, even as someone who will generally prefer her meals "cooked to order", I'm fairly partial to the food you'll find behind the glass front. And so too, it seems, does the crowd. I managed to snare myself a seat right near the counter one week and saw the dishes flying out the door. (Handy Hint: arrive early for lunch, or late. Tables can be tough to snare, especially if you have a large group. If you're flying solo, the customers here are mroe than happy to share a table, just ask.)

nasi lemak $8.20

One of my favourite meals to come out of the bain marie is the nasi lemak. Ok, that's only partly true. The curry comes out of the bain marie (oh! how the chicken curry reminds of home!) but the rest of it is served up in the kitchen section of the restaurant. For $8.20, you'll receive a healthy serving of coconut rice, chilli ikan bilis sambal, cucumber, a boiled egg, ground peanuts, archar (Malaysian pickles) and your choice of curry.

nasi lemak all gone

And don't think this is a small dish to consume either. The blue dish contains some decently deep cavities, and if you're anything like me, you'll find yourself scooping up mouthful after mouthful and wondering if it will ever end (then marvelling at the fact that it doesn't. Well, it does, but long after you think it will). i was so proud of myself for finishing it all that I took a photo. I was very full for many hours afterwards.

char kway teow & rice with chicken curry $7.20

This is my absolute hands down favourite. Fondly dubbed the "heart attack". The order goes something like this "Can I please get one half char kway teow, half white rice and chicken curry?" You gotta specify that you want half & half, you see, as this isn't very common. Also gotta specify white rice. Sounds simple? Well, yes. But think for a second. Gorgeous, smoky rice noodles, lightly dressed in a heart warming, coconutty (but not too coconutty) chicken curry gravy. White rice to soak the rest of it up. Ultimate bad mood food. Gym required afterwards.

murtabak $6.00

Also highly recommended is the murtabak. And ringing in at only $6.00, you've found yourself a steal of a meal. Be warned though, like the seats at Jimmy's, the murtabak is made in limited stock and disappears fairly quickly. Also, ask for the chicken curry gravy over the top of it. Makes a world of a difference.

inside murtabak

Murtabak is essentially a filled in roti canai. Break it open and you'll find a flurry of chicken pieces, shallot and onion all tumbled about and surrounded by eggy goodness. It's like eating roti and an omelette all in one. With curry. *swoon*.

chicken laksa $7.20

What the crowd is here for, however, is the laksa. Bowls and bowls and bowls of it. I have, on occasion, met friends of various tastes here at Jimmy's. All have loved the laksa. Miss Shiny will have a spoonful, and then another before looking up, wide eyed and exclaiming "Oh! It's spicy!" The Closed-Mouth-Cat will slurp (politely) away at his, and then sit back in his seat looking like the proverbial cat that got the cream. I just make sure I'm not wearing white. Because laksa and white don't mix so well.

beef laksa $7.00

The laksa here comes with a mix of vermecelli and egg noodles accompanied by either veges, chicken, beef, fish or seafood and squishy cubes of fried tofu in a hearty, stocky soup. It's served up by a crew of happy, friendly Malaysians, and it takes me right back home.

Jimmy's Recipe Malaysia
The Galeries Victoria
Ground Floor, Shop RC16, 500 George St
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph (02) 9267 2288

ps) also highly recommended is the Chicken Rice - you get a choice of leg or breast and it is de-li-cious. Truly.