No crowds. Seated right away. Service was quick. Preordered steamed fish with scallions and ginger- the fish tasted great and was fresh. Don't order steam fish if you are not used to spitting bones out. Definitely order the Roti Canai and eat it fresh with curry dip. Bird nest with crispy taro was ok but content was bland. read more

Coco Garden - Birds nest with crispy taro - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I miss this place. Excellent Malaysian food (Roti Kanai, Chicken Rendang, Chicken Cari Ayam, etc.) (sic). This would likely be among the top 5 Malaysian restaurants in NYC. I always get scared when I visit and see this place empty. I hope people in Rochester realize what an awesome gem this and give them more business. read more

Walked in and were sat right away. The place was very clean. Food was delicious. Indonesian rice, pad Thai, steamed dumplings and an Indian dish (don't remember the name). Great flavors, quick and friendly service and a nice, quiet place to go for dinner. We also were provided chopsticks when we were served the food. The server did ask if we needed different tableware (we didn't) but I appreciated that he didn't assume that we needed forks. read more

I went to San Diego and I never found CARMEN I went to Matt Damon but I didn't find a MARTIAN I went to Simon Cowell but I didn't find STARDOM But I found the best Roti Canai at Coco GARDEN So good it made Trump give Hillary a PARDON So good it made the Changing Of The Guards let their GUARD DOWN So good it makes my nether regions HARDEN There's no better Roti Canai than COCO GARDEN WHAT! The Roti Canai is one of best dishes in Rochester, or anywhere The Beef Randang is pretty good and well spiced The Eggplant dish is absolutely amazing I actually love the food here just as much as the wonderful service which is saying a lot because the service is second to none in the region. They are some of the nicest people you may ever meet. They have good lunch special prices. Some of the dishes on the menu can be hit or miss, but if you find that out for yourself, please consider this when rating them: they have the best Roti Canai I've *ever* tried. It's miraculous. It's only $5. Does it really matter if every dish is great? This place should get 5 stars for that alone... and the wonderful service. Despite what others have said, in a negative sense, I have tried the very best Malaysian food in Holland (Netherlands if you prefer) and New York City - and other places - and this is actually my favorite that I've had so far. Everything is consistently good and the Roti canai is both dirt cheap and one of the best dishes you will try. It's so good, it would be the first thing I force-fed you in Rochester. Ahem. You absolutely cannot get better than this Roti canai for $5. They have excellent lunch specials and their dinner prices are not too bad either. Nice decor and a must-try restaurant for all. So get down to Coco Garden, like, now. And I wouldn't mind checking out Coco's Garden. I hear it's very well manicured. Or pedicured in her case. Still, I doubt any kind of Ice T on earth could ever be as good as the Roti Canai here. And whatever you do, don't change the second "o" to a "k" - otherwise I'll probably start coming here even more often than I do. read more

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The food is so good! They have great lunch specials. Their chili oil is so aromatic and flavorful. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I can't wait to return! read more

Curry and Coconut all the things! But seriously, Coco Garden's cuisine is as on-point as these rave reviews about it. I really had no inkling of Malaysian food or the existence of this place without the hype among my peers and it's SO REAL (Thanks guys!) The interior of the restaurant is very simple, stripping down the decorations of the prior Mexican establishment, but retaining the seating setup. The menu is simple, and hell, so is the cuisine. Every step of the way from when I approached the door, until I looked at my food, I simply shrugged my shoulders and nonchalantly wrote this place off as a simple Asian restaurant... Until I ate this wonderful food. Roti Canai: Crispy, flaky pancake with a side of homemade curry. Freaking delicious and I'll probably end up ordering this every time I visit with an extra pancake. Satay: You can mix and match with this! Combined chicken and beef, these skewered morsels were seasoned with a light curry/lemongrass flavor. The heavy and sweet peanut sauce was a great compliment to this app! Beef Rendang: Very simple looking dish with round beef patties smothered in a rich curry gravy and a side of fresh cucumber. A knife was offered on the side, but was not need: the meat was unexpectedly super tender, and the curry was amazingly savory with nice heat finish. I could have handled it more spicy, but it was at the perfectly level for someone just starting off with curry. Spareribs: This was a great dish in itself, but the only one where I felt was "so-so." These dark red pork ribs are fried so it has a nice crispy texture on the outside, but you'll be definitely working to get the meat off the bone. The flavor was somewhat salty and lightly sweet, similar to the pork I would taste in a Chinese pork bun you'd eat for Dim Sum. Once again, great dish, but I would have preferred something more adventurous on the palate. Chicken Rice: I hope it's not yellow from food coloring, but it tastes the way it looks, lol. Chicken broth-esque! Coconut Rice: The most surprising and appealing side! Looks like plain white rice, but has a strong coconut scent and flavor expected from having the real thing! It even has that light potassium-saltiness you'd taste from fresh coconut milk. LOVED IT! Overall, don't read my review- actually, you probably already did. But that's time you could have spent driving to Coco Garden. Go over there and eat-- right now! read more

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I am a huge fan of this restaurant. Their specialty is Malaysian food but they also have their take on classic Chinese American dishes such as general Tso and sesame chicken. The restaurant is a little difficult to find and is tucked away behind the Golden Corral on Henrietta and Jefferson. It looks like a little hole in the wall from the outside, but don't let that deter you. I've dined in and gotten take out. Both were great experiences! When you dine in, they give you this free soup before your meals. The food here is excellent. I'm not too familiar with Malaysian dishes, but everything I've had was delicious. The prices and portions are amazing! I'd recommend the Singapore rice noodles, which is their stir fried rice noodles with bean sprouts, shrimp and chicken. I'd say it's a more savory "pad Thai" even though I know you can't compare the two. I'd also recommend the hainanese chicken, which is a very tender roasted chicken that comes with a house made soy and hot sauce. I think I've found one of my go to restaurants for take out! read more

One of my favorite place for Chinese/Malaysian food. FYI, the place may look shabby but food is good and staff are friendly. I don't know how authentic this place is but I like the flavors. They offer a simple soup with daikon to start. There is option for either plain rice or coconut rice with your meal, I prefer the coconut rice. Items I would recommend are sizzling tofu, rendang beef, and the spare ribs. I have more items I would like to try, so I will definitely be back! read more

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Happy to hear that they have eat in dining again. Don't mind take out but nothing like interacting with the owners and staff. Welcome back Lina read more

I came here on a Wednesday evening for dinner with a large party (shout out to the Yelp Supper Club) and I was very impressed. The food was excellent. We ordered a little bit of everything to share and sample, but these are the dishes that stood out by category: appetizers: roti, chicken satay noodles in soup: curry mee fried noodles Chow Kueh Teow pork: spareribs, sweet and sour pork sides: coconut rice (A MUST) The menu is quite extensive, so you should be able to find a favorite or two. Again, you have to try the coconut rice! The restaurant is large with plenty of tables and seating with the ability to accommodate large groups comfortably. The staff are terrific too. TL;DR: COCONUT RICE read more

Wish this was in NYC. I was visiting Rochester and the family was craving Asian food. This was a huge surprising find thanks to Yelp! Food is incredibly good. It seems like a family-run restaurant with the young kids cleaning up the table and the adults running the front on house. Everything we ordered was flavorful, delicious, fresh. All 8 of us approved the entire meal and gave it a two thumbs up. Even my dad, who likes to complain about every meal said "It's not bad." We got the hainanese chicken (smooth and tender pieces of chicken doused with sweet soy sauce), Spareribs Malaysian Style (yummy deep fried spareribs), Fish Fillet with Ginger and Scallion (simple dish, but usually hard to mess up. The fish was cooked perfectly), Seafood Tofu Pot (nothing to complain about), Belachan Shrimp Sauce mixed with veggies (delicious! If you never had belachan sauce, try it. I never knew that was what it was called in english. Usually it translates to malay sauce). Also try the chicken flavor rice on the side (flavorful rice!!) read more

This was our first trip to Coco Gardens, and this is how it went...Located just behind the Golden Corral on Jefferson Rd. right next to the Vet's thrift shop...So it's a small but clean place with nothing fancy or flashy, although they do have the happy golden cat waving its right paw at you as you come in, cute really...Now the menu is not too big and not to small, so I guess the kitchen can prepare the food with ease and attention...We ordered a fried dumpling starter, a shrimp and vermicelli dish, a dish of chicken Pad Thai and two bubble teas, one Mango and one Coconut...The dumplings were definitely handmade and tasty, 8 to an order...Next the shrimp and vermicelli dish, although it was supposed to be spicy, but it was not so much...The chicken Pad Thai was very good and plenty of it...There was also a few pieces of friend tofu in this dish...The amount of chicken was amazing as well and tender...I had to ask for some lime to squeeze over the noodles, no big deal but for me Pad Thai always needs a squeeze of fresh lime juice t give it that extra umami...The two bubble teas were on the mild side and not too sweet with plenty of pearls, also made fresh at the time of ordering...Now onto the staff...Very friendly indeed and accommodating in every way...The damage for this tasty meal with tip of 20% was $41.54...Not a bad experience and we'll be back for sure...Give them a try and enjoy the meal... read more

Coco Garden - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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This is grading on a Rochester curve here: this is a solid spot if you're craving those Malaysian/Chinese flavors and don't want to drive to Toronto or NYC. (This spot would be three stars in those more diverse metro areas.) Hainan chicken was overlooked and dry. Good flavors on the noodle and veggie dishes. Super friendly service. read more

This is a one of a kind Malaysian restaurant in Rochester! The food is consistently good, well priced and authentic. My favorites are nasi lemak and hainanese chicken. It is a mom and pop shop, so let's help keep them running:) read more

Last night we ordered take-away during the COVID19 shelter-in-place ... doing our part to try to help keep small, local places in business! :) We ordered a gracious plenty, to make it last for two evenings for two people. We started with the Roti Canai appetizer & Steamed Dumpling appetizer. Then for main entrees, tried the House Special Udon Noodles & Beef Rendang with Coconut Rice -- thanks Yelpers for recommending and posting photos of each. We'd never had either, and they were both a HIT! All of this food provided LARGE portions for each of us for two nights. We both licked our plates clean -- super flavorful and with just the perfect amount of spice/heat. Orders were ready exactly when predicted, and served with a masked smile and BIG THANK YOU! read more

Coco Garden - Roti Canai appetizer; Steamed Dumpling appetizer; House Special Udon Noodles; Beef Rendang with Coconut Rice - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

I have been to Coco Garden 7 or 8 times, I can say that I have enjoyed every meal I have had there. As far as I know, it is the only restaurant in Rochester that serves Malaysian dishes. (Although, the staff/cooks are not Malaysian, they are Chinese. I know this because I spoke to them in Mandarin and asked.). There are always quite a few Chinese students eating there when I've been there.....to me, that's usually a good sign for an Asian restaurant. If you are a "bread person," you must try the Roti Canai, a Malaysian specialty. This is crispy,, yet soft and chewy bread which is served with a delicious curry sauce (this usually contains a couple pieces of chicken and potato). The satay is also very good, a decent portion, nice flavor and good peanut sauce to dunk the satays in. And, if you like dumplings, definitely try the steamed or fried dumplings. They are actually some of the best-tasting dumplings I've had in Rochester. (Better than the over-priced, bland dumplings from Dumpling House in the same plaza.) A lot of Asians come here for the Hainanese Chicken. This is a super simple steamed chicken served with rice and a soy sauce. But, a very simple dish can often be the hardest to pull off and this place does it right. Both the Chicken and Beef Rendang are delicious, stewed meats in a rich, curry-like sauce. The Basil Beef and Sambal Beef are good, fresh stir fries. If you order the Malaysian Sesame Beef, be warned that it is not the Chinese restaurant-style sesame beef, coated in flour and deep-fried, then sauced. Instead, the beef is stir-fried, not coated and deep-fried and includes a variety of vegetables. The sauce is lighter, less cloying. I really like this Malaysian version. If you order a dish that comes with rice, you will probably be asked if you would like regular or coconut rice. Go for the coconut rice. It costs a little bit more, but it's subtle coconut flavor is tasty and goes well with the Malaysian dishes. If you have never tried Malaysian food or you're tired of the standard ChInese fare available in town, try Coco Garden! I don't think you'll be disappointed. read more

The Roti Canai is amazing. It is very flavorful. The other dishes I tried are Kari Ayam and chicken Rendang which were both very delicious too. The coconut flavored rice with Kari Ayam tastes exquisite. I wish they served alcohol though. And the ambience is kinda sad! read more

Mmmmm I don't share the hype. Tom yum seemed out of a jar, like you can buy this powder and mix it up by the bowlful, I do it at my house and it was pretty much the same thing in my opinion. It appeared to be a family business as we came on a school break and what may have been pre-teens were trying to help out. Ask for the spice level to be adjusted to your liking I ended up asking for hot sauce, and then asking again a few more times because the tablespoons worth just didn't cut it. The chow kueh teow was much better than the pad Thai. But a surprising end note was a warm complimentary yam and tapioca dessert, kind of soupy but pleasant. read more

Coco Garden - Tom yum soup veg - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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This is the only Malay place that has ever popped up in Rochester and they did a good job at getting the key dishes like ROTI Canai, Beef Rendang, Kang Kung with Shrimp. Fair warning I traipsed around China and Hong Kong eating these same dishes as well so I just couldn't give this five stars because those were next level versions of these same dishes, but this is on par with NYC and LA Malay food. The wings were great and the hand tied pandanus leaf was a nice touch. My hainanese chicken and while lacking the cold jelly layer between skin and meat that singaporeans execute masterfully wasn't present, but still great and the rice was fragrant instead of plain. The ginger garlic paste brought it home. Great new addition to Rochester where the Old Dibellas used to be. Also.... you HAVE to try the PRAWNS. You may think it's a little pricey, but the portions are crazy and it's an amazing dish. I suggest the Aromatic Coconut one shown in the photo. read more

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I had an OK experience here when I went with a group of people for lunch. I would definitely give it another shot as it was very reasonably priced. The best thing I had was the roti canai hands down and it was actually gratis with a $10 entree purchase during lunch, which was a sweet deal (either dessert or an appetizer). For my main entree, I had the ginger fish which was a little overly salted but the ginger flavoring in the fish was nice. The rice with the dish was alright. My friends had the Udon and Pad Thai and it all looked alright, although I didn't get a chance to try it. I had some severe stomach issues after the meal, but I'm not going to blame the restaurant. With all the rave reviews, I'd definitely return and try something else for dinner or lunch sometime. If you're here, I'd definitely recommend the roti canai; such a delicious crispy hot doughy pancake of goodness. I would probably avoid ordering the ginger fish again for lunch, maybe my choice was just poor. read more

Beautifully prepared and fresh, their Malaysian cuisine is a tasty mix of spices and aromas. I got the Malaysian Pad Thai while my son ordered the Seafood Rice Noodles. We were both happy with our meals. read more

Yes they also have general tso's chicken. But promise me, don't order it when you are there. You can do that elsewhere. If you already go all the way there and not just any other asian restaurant in town, why not try what they have to offer? Try the Roti Canai, warm, thin pancake paired with rich curry. Try the Bah Kut Teh, pork rib slow-cooked with lots of herbs. Really warms you up on a winter's night. Great cure for cold (don't quote me on that but I did once go there just for Bah Kut Teh when I had cold). Try the Hainanese Chicken. Tender steamed chicken with soy sauce to really bring out the umani. (If you really into this dish want to try some most tender chicken you've ever had in life, I've got a restaurant in NYC to recommend...). Do pair with chicken rice: rice soaked with chicken broth and chicken fat. Ask about whatever is written on the blackboard at the entrance. Sometimes you run into pleasant surprises. read more

This place is a little out of the way but everyone in my group of 4 really enjoyed everything we tried. I loved the Malaysian Sesame Beef!

The food: I've had better in a frozen entree from the store. The experience: Not everything it's cracked up to be. When I came in, there was a table with dirty dishes, and those dishes were still on the table when I left an hour later. There were only me and my mother and another couple in the restaurant. Why could they not grab the dirty dishes?? read more

Great Roti appetizer and Sambal chicken. First time. Excited to explore menu. Excellent online ordering. What's not to like?

One of the most legit chinese restaurant in Rochester area. Recommend dishes: Hainanese Chicken, Be-fun-tongue Shrimp, Steamed whole fish, seafood tofu pot. read more

Guys! Go! When I know I'm going to be in Henrietta, I find a way to eat here. It's an unassuming place on the far corner of the Jefferson Plaza that's filtered through different versions of restaurants over the years. Here's hoping this spectacular Malaysian restaurant is what sticks! The hostess and staff are all friendly and welcoming. The menu is large with several options to choose from, whether that's traditional Malaysian dishes or noodles and dishes broken down by meat choice. If you start with anything, it's the roti canai (one order is good for one person... you won't want to share after you have a bite). It comes with a hot crispy pancake and a small bowl of curry dipping sauce with chicken and potatoes. I have a hard time swaying from my favorite dish - the house special udon noodles. It comes with a light savory sauce that has a hint of heat, just enough to leaves your lips tingling and tossed with beef, chicken, shrimp, bean sprouts, and carrots. The portion is large enough to share or bring home leftovers. They also start you out with a small bowl of chicken broth with daikon (radish soup) - flavorful! Beef satay, curry mee (thin yellow noodles in a spicy curry broth), and coconut fried rice are also good. read more

Coco Garden - House special udon - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

First, let me say the the Roti Canai was excellent. I highly recommend that you start with that if you decide to give the place a try. It's easily the best dish we had. The coconut rice was also good. The service was very friendly if not attentive. That's the best I can say. Overall, while it wasn't bad, it wasn't particularly good either. The service as I said was friendly, but we had to ask for napkins and utensils as well as water. She never came by to refill our water. Finally she walked by on her way from another table and saw our empty glasses sitting on the edge of the table. I'd understand if the place was busy, but there were maybe a half dozen tables filled. We had read a review that said the Beef Rendang was a small portion. Maybe that's a lunch menu issue because the dinner entree was huge. We couldn't finish it.. The sauce was good with a little spice but nothing special and the meat was a bit fatty. We also tried the Sarang Burong which sounded interesting. The taro ring was very bland but I guess that went with the bland chicken and veggies inside. Think chicken with vegetables from a Chinese takeout that is so bland you just want to drown it with soy sauce even though you aren't a big fan of soy sauce. It was also a huge portion and we left some on the plate. Nothing was good enough that we would have taken it home - even if we weren't staying in a hotel. I had a coconut bubble tea, which I usually love, but this one was merely average. Not bad per se, but I wouldn't order it again. Overall, the food seemed quite bland. Not what I was expecting. Perhaps this is what they've found the folks in Rochester prefer? I think if the reviews I read hadn't been so glowing, I might have enjoyed it more. But I was expecting awesome and didn't even get good. If you go expecting cheap eats that are average quality and a bit bland, you'll love it. read more

Coco Garden - Beef Remdang - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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This is a hidden gem in a strip mall in Rochester. I have been here for eat in and take out many times. Since I live in the Buffalo area, the drive for me is about 1 hour each way. But it is worth it. My last visit (eat in) was several weeks ago. We went there for lunch on a Saturday and ordered several items and also ordered a few items to take home. The nasi lemak was excellent. Great achar (vegetable pickle/salad), crispy peanuts and anchovies (these are soggy in many other Malaysian places I have been to), the coconut rice was fragrant and the chicken curry was on point. Overall, this was excellently prepared. The sarang burung was also very good. We like the fried taro shell this comes in. My wife's hainan chicken rice was good (consistent with previous experience) We took home the beef rendang and char koay teow. Both were also very good. They use the best cut of beef among most Malaysian places we have been to (mostly in NYC and NJ) for their rendang. Very flavorful. We have recommended this place to many of our friends in the Buffalo area. And they are happy with this recommendation after their visits. read more

Straits Chinese cooking that is so good. It reflects the Southern Fujian cooking of the Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Soy Chicken is in 1/4 or 1/2 portions. 1/4 is good for two people. Non-menu item is the water spinach or 'kong xin tsai' cooked to your liking. I like mine with garlic and some salt stir fried. All main courses come with a choice of coconut rice, chicken rice or plain white rice. Bon Appetit! read more

Coco Garden - Daikon in clear consommé. - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Wow! They're Open for dining, my wife and I finally ventured in too see what Coco Garden was all about. We were seated promptly, our waitress was Lina, she went over the menu with us, and was very informative. Malaysian food consists of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisines. It can be ordered to your liking, yet it's typically strong, spicy and aromatic which combines the many herbs and spices of Southwest Asia. So, usually I'm good for pictures, I will apologise for I don't have any this time. Allow your imagination to convey and relate to your senses and we'll take you on an adventure to Coco Garden. My wife and I ordered the Shrimp Puffs, one order is 4 pieces. These are 1/2 Dollar sized fried shrimp ball wrapped with bacon, which comes on a plate with puffed rice and some kind of sweet and sour sauce to dip the fried Shrimp Puffs into. We also ordered a refreshing cucumber salad and it's just as it sounds, but very refreshing and fresh. For our main courses my wife ordered the Sambal Squid, which is a spicy robust sauce made with chilies, shallots, garlic, stewed tomatoes, tamarind paste and belacan, a dried shrimp paste. My wife asked for it to be cooked mild as she's not able to handle the heat like myself. I also ordered a Sambal dish, with Shrimp, yet mine was at a 4* heat level, very tasty along with the Coconut Rice which accompanies the dish to balance out the malay of full flavors. I also ordered as an appetizer a Curry Dish called Roti Canai. This looks like Beef Stew, and it comes with a large piece of Na'an Bread to dunk into the curry. It tasted Amazing, it reminded me of my travels to Bali and Singapore. Coco Garden has a variety of Curry dishes on the menu one of which is called Kari Ayam you normally get this dish with chicken, but they'll add or subtract for different protein, this curry Dish consists a Coconut Curry with potatoes, lemon grass and chili paste. Almost like a Thai Masaman, which you can enjoy it with a bowl of Coconut Rice. For our dessert we both ordered the Coconut Pudding, which was very refreshing and light. So, go check out Lina and the folks at Coco Garden, if you're interested in Malaysian food you won't be disappointed, the meals are priced decently for what you're getting. Enjoy! read more

The food there is so delicious. We ate a lot of times. Coco garden made our day! I can say coco garden cooks the best Asian food in Rochester. read more

Coco Garden - Tofu and garli chicken - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

Yum!! Went here after a long day of thrifting with the girls. It was very empty in there, but it was a Sunday at like 3 which is suppose isn't really a huge draw time. I very much hope people are going here cuz the food is delicious. The menu is plentiful. We ordered the following: a beef rendeng, a chicken sambal and a chicken pad Thai. They all came with a small bowl of soup. Guys I'm not kidding Iv been craving this soup ever since. The broth was completely clear yet sooo flavorful and there was like a few pieces of diakon. So the actual food, the pad Thai was good, the chicken sambal was a bit boring but spicy and my beef rendeng was very yummy but the portion was waaay smaller then the other two dishes so just be forewarned. Oh and the main courses come with a choice of rice and we chose coconut rice which was super yummy. Overall great place with yummy food :) read more

Coco Garden - Chicken sambal - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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First time trying Malaysian cuisine, I cannot speak to the authenticity, but I can relay it is absolutely delicious. Standouts included the roti canai with curry sauce, tom yum soup and shrimp spring rolls. Flavors were incredible with interesting and complex spice profiles, with a slight amount of heat. Very reasonably priced, and our server was great, we never wanted for anything. I did see several patrons bring in their own beer and wine as they do not serve alcohol here---good to know for next time. read more

My go-to is coconut fried rice [with shrimp]; it is in fact very difficult to not order coconut rice if I drive anywhere near Coco Garden restaurant. But, I have loved their noodle soups and other dishes with their ample vegetables, and light fruit flavors. Interestingly, here is the second time I have ever made the observation that the way the food is prepared 'features' salt, in my opinion. I'm NOT calling the food salty. It's just I have only rarely enjoyed salt as an actor before, you know, in an authentic or creative dish [I'm not talking about tortilla chips or popcorn; heh ~ I like pretzels withOUT salt...] in a fine, FINE French restaurant [in France] where salt was specially layered in a shepherd's pie featuring duck as the meat ingredient, trending between bottles of introductory rose' and table white dinner wine. It's as if all the other flavors are conveying this nuance, or perhaps ancient Malaysian wisdom in the preparation, and the food wouldn't taste 'right' without this soft spotlight. I haven't had anything that wasn't delicious at Coco Garden, and have ordered here throughout the pandemic. I have wished that take out orders were ready sooner, but I guess you can't rush awesomeness! I miss eating in! and, am excited that we will likely soon return to it. I would like for this business to do well! and, I will return again and again. ~ K read more

This was a fun find - Malaysian food in Rochester! Beef rendang is kind of famous so I had to try it. Super flavorful, rich, lots of spices, and very tender meat. I can see why you might save this for special occasions. The coconut rice was a really good choice as it added extra nice flavor. The lunch portion was very filling so if the dinner portion is any bigger you will almost certainly have some to take home. The broth was light and tasty, too. I loved that you could get the Malaysian tea cold since it was really hot out. I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes, especially the bah kut teh. Hopefully, they have the strong tea to go with it. I'll save that for when it's colder outside, though. Meanwhile, while it's hot it might be a good time to try the ABC and the chendol :) read more

Coco Garden - Broth with radish. - Malaysian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Found this gem is a plaza while I was looking for another restaurant. I am glad I did. Had the Rendang beef lunch special and it was good. I wouldn't say it the same as what I have had in Malaysia but is pretty close. You won't be disappointed. It was promptly served so if you are in a hurry, this is the place. Will def return the next time I'm in Rochester. read more

This is a long, long review. Here's a TL;DR presented as a song lyric: I am so excited! I just can't hide it! I am about to eat roti canai and I like it! If you are still reading this, you are about to discover just how long winded I can be. You have been warned. I usually take all of 5 minutes into a conversation with a stranger to mention my Sngaporean roots. Singaporeans love food and love to argue about it. In fact, part of the Singaporean citizenship test is to present your case on why a particular hawker stall's chicken rice is far superior to the stall next to it. Don't even get us started on the right way to eat it. I can't begin to explain how excited I was to find out a Malaysian restaurant was finally opening in Rochester (Malaysians and Singaporeans hate each other kind of like siblings do but this far away from home, we love each other.) On my first visit, I was nervous as to whether they would measure up. Then I reminded myself that beggars can't be choosers (the closest Singaporean/Malaysian restaurant is in Toronto). Thankfully Coco Garden delivered tasty food that was closer to being authentic than I expected! Here's my research delivered in a somewhat efficient manner: Must Try: - Roti Canai - Multi layered, flaky, buttery flatbread, crisped up on a griddle and smashed together to break up the layers. It is served with a small side of chicken and potato curry. Rip and dip, my friends. - Chicken or Beef satay - Chunks of meat on a stick, cooked to smoky perfection. This is different from the curry spiced satay served at Thai restaurants around here. The peanut sauce is EVERYTHING and the version at Coco Garden is frankly the best I have had in town. It does not taste like peanut butter (gross). Instead it is a more savory blend of peanuts, tamarind, etc. - Rendang - Slow cooked beef in a heavily spiced (not spicy) gravy. Redolent of coconut, lemongrass, galangal, order a side of coconut rice with this to make sure every drop of the gravy is absorbed/consumed. - Curry Mee - Noodles swimming in a curry broth with protein of choice. I like chicken or shrimp. The curry is not overpowering in this dish. Winter staple! - Sambal Kangkong - Water spinach sauteed with shrimp paste and chillis. Not for the faint hearted or the lily livered. They did not hold back on the shrimp paste and I love them for it. If you like your greens spicy and salty with some briny notes, this is your dish. Also, if you order this and enjoy it, I will bequeath upon you honorary Singaporean status. This status can't be used for anything but you know...it sounds important. - The sauce accompanying the Hainanese chicken - Garlic, ginger, chillis and the fragrant broth from poaching the chicken make this one potent condiment. I want it on everything! - Malaysian tea [hot] - Also known as teh tarik, this is a sweet, milky and spiced tea. Soothing for those winter nights. Good: - Char Kway Teow - Stir fried noodles with shrimp. The flavour is good but not smoky enough to be authentic. Needs more BTUs. Still, pretty tasty with some sambal on the side. - Hainanese chicken - The chicken needs to be sliced thinner. The gelatinous skin is not as pleasant in large chunks and takes over the entire bite of chicken. I also wish they would offer a roasted version. I prefer my chicken skin crisp. The meat has good flavour. - Indian Mee Goreng - Stir fried noodles with potato chunks, egg, seafood, Indian spices, etc. Again, lacks the punch of smoke. It is there but I want more! However, it is really delicious and should still be tried. Needs work: - Chicken rice - The manager admitted that the chicken rice was not even close to being authentic. Due to complaints from people ( I hate these people! ) about the chicken-y flavour being too strong, they have diluted the flavour. They agreed that they may have gone overboard and are still tweaking the recipe to make everyone happy. Hooly mother, why did they even put this on the menu: - Mango chicken - Peppers, mangoes, onions and chicken sauteed in a very sweet sauce. If you love General Tso's chicken, this one is for you. No Singaporean or Malaysian would be caught dead eating this. As far as desserts go, I recommend the ABC. Google Ais Kachang to see what it is all about. They have fried banana and other somewhat generic "Asian" desserts. They also offer a variety of bubble teas, milkshakes, smoothies but I have not tried any as I rather save the room for the fantastic food. Note that if you have a shrimp allergy, let the server know! Belacan (shrimp paste) is as integral to this cuisine as fish sauce is to Thai food. In summary: Go to Coco Garden. Right now. As long as they are currently open. Avoid the dishes that blatantly cater to the General Tso chicken crowd and you will be happy. read more

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Stopped in for for lunch today, and I can't stop thinking about how good it was. I used to frequent a Malaysian restaurant when I lived out of state, but hadn't had Malaysian food in a few years. I was absolutely blown away by the food. I had the roti canai and the chili chicken lunch special, all in, it was under $20. The appetizer came out quickly, followed by the entree. Both dishes were appropriately spicy and had tons of flavor. read more

If you're a first timer looking to check this place out, I recommend you go with several people so you can taste a bit of everything. That's what I did! (shout out to The Yelp International Supper Club and most notably, Naz!) Food was extremely flavorful! Here is what I tried: Roti Canai (So good) Satay Chicken and Satay Beef (I recommend the chicken, but both are good) *Chow Kueh Teow (MY favorite thus far!!!) Malaysian Sweet and Sour Pork (Very Good) Beef Rendang (Very Good) Pineapple Fried Rice (good) Curry Mee (okay) Pork spareribs (Ok- look like pork winglets) Seafood Tomyan Rice Noodle (Ok- also has a little kick to it) Coconut Jumbo Prawns (ok) Sambal Kangkong (New and Unusual for me- tastes heavily of salty shrimp paste) Mango Bubble Tea (Ok, not too sweet) Overall I am excited to hear feedback from many this is a very authentic place, capturing all the cultural flavors correctly. My only qualm with CoCo Garden is that the walls a sparse and in need of color and/or decoration. read more