I’ve never gotten around to blogging about Malaysian restaurant Madam Lu, but have dined there multiple times. So here it is.
There’s a two-page lunch specials menu available Monday to Friday with dishes starting at the $10.50 mark for various noodles, rice dishes, nasi goreng and more. The specials used to be available on weekends but I think it’s now only the weekdays.
I’ve had the boneless Hainan chicken rice ($12.50 lunch special) which comes with softly poached chicken and fragrant chicken rice. Although I don’t think the chicken is super soft or as aromatic as I’d like, it is one of the better chicken rice dishes in Canberra. It goes really well with the dipping sauces of chilli, soy, and spring onion oil. The lunch special version doesn’t come with the side of chicken broth, but I believe you can get the broth if you pay the regular non-special price.
The Penang char kway teow ($18.90 lunch special) has Chinese sausage in it and comes on a big plate. It’s expensive for what is supposedly a ‘lunch special’ but super tasty and hits the spot. You can get the traditional char kway teow for a more reasonable $13.50 lunch special price.
The seafood chow mein ($23.90 lunch special) is even more expensive. I found the sauce to be a tad bland with this dish but the crispy noodles are plentiful.
Then there’s the extensive a la carte menu with pages of dishes – various hawker style noodles, Nyonya style dishes, Malay curries, Peking duck, mud crabs, bak kut teh and much more. The pan fried dumplings ($8.90 for 6) have crispy charred bottoms and a light filling of pork and vegetables, served with soy and hot cut chilli (with the seeds).
The stewed Angus beef hot pot ($25.90) is slow cooked for at least 4 hours. It’s tender and falls apart so easily. Delicious on steamed rice heaped with the saucy goodness in the pot.
This year’s Lunar New Year special included a mushroom stuffed with prawns dish ($28.90) which I wanted to try. The prawns had been friend in a light batter before being stuffed into the mushrooms. Such a juicy and delicious dish served with broccoli and plenty of sauce at the bottom.
One night, I dined in for dinner with foodie friends where we shared a whole lobster. The live lobster is first shown to us, before being cooked and served in a large bowl.
We also ordered a side of mantou (fried buns) to mop up the sauce.
Overall, some awesome tasty lunch specials, a wide variety of Malaysian/Asian dishes, and quick turnaround of food. I find that if I sit outside, I seem to be forgotten as no one ever takes my order unless I walk inside and get someone’s attention. In contrast by sitting inside, I’ve found my order is taken quite quickly. If you can’t finish the meal, take away boxes can be provided. Well worth a try. Bookings recommended for large groups.
Madam Lu Malaysian Restaurant
20/42 West Row, Canberra ACT
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