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    Sambal Chef

    4.1 (82 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Sambal Chef Takeout or Delivery

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    SAMBAL CHEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sambal Chef

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    A2. Roti Canai with Curry Chicken (2 Pieces)
    Amita K.

    Awesome food!! Must visit if you like Malaysian and Singaporean food. Service was great. We ordered roti canai , pineapple fried rice, chicken, curry, laksa, Ikan bakar ( fried flounder) . Everything was excellent and delicious. The chicken, curry laksa could have done with a little less oil to maintain the original coconut curry flavor but everything else was just perfect. Not spicy but flavorful. Ambience is what you would expect of restaurant in a strip mall. We enjoyed the food and we will be back again to try other dishes on the menu!

    B1. Beef Rendang
    Jennifer N.

    The restaurant is in the building next to Denny's and can be easily ignored since it isn't in the main Chinatown plaza. Sambal chef needs more recognition for delicious authentic Malaysian food. Ordered their house fried rice, salted yolk fried chicken, salted yolk calamari and beef rendang. I didn't get the chance to take any photos of the other dishes since I was hungry.

    Chili crab
    Brandon D.

    One of my good friend's invited me to their birthday dinner at Sambal Chef in bellaire! They are a Malaysian restaurant that used to be located in pearland before moving to the Chinatown area. It's nice that their location is not in the main area because parking was so easy. We started off with the chicken and beef satay. I really liked the chicken skewer but the beef one was not as tender and juicy. The roti canai was flaky and I really enjoyed the darker red curry sauce. Idk what the yellow sauce was but the flavor was very light on that one. Garlic water spinach was a necessity to get my daily fiber in. I thought the sizzling tofu was just ok but it prob would've been better if the sauce wasn't on the side. The chili crab was sweet and spicy, and also messy and saucy. I'd say it's pretty good but I'm not sure if it's worth the value. They used to have a bogo deal for it back then. I recommend adding the sauce to the rice for a little kick and flavor. The char koay teow was solid but I really liked how pandan leaf have you done sambal sauce, it really is a game changer

    A3. Roti Canai with Beef Rendang (2 Pieces)
    Chris H.

    Best Malaysian food in town!! Prices are reasonable and much cheaper than phat eatery! Highly recommend the roti canai and chili prawns! Can't go wrong with any of their stir fried noodle dishes! Great service and plenty of parking!

    A3. Roti Canai with Beef Rendang (2 Pieces)
    A L.

    Roti is delicious - slightly crispy on the outside. Soft inside. Beef rendang served with the roti was meh - ok flavor, but overcooked meat. Hainan chicken also was so so. Decent portion of meat and veggies, but lacking in flavor. Stir fried vegetables are good - tender.

    Soft shell crab with a not so fresh unpleasant taste
    Jessica B.

    There was a dark layer on the soft shell crab that gave it a unpleasant taste as if the crab had previously been frozen. I mention it to the server and he only gave me 2 dollars off. A joke.

    Samantha W.

    A good place to eat when I don't feel like making a drive out to Phat Eatery (prices definitely cheaper with great portion sizes). The restaurant is not that big inside but it's not small. We also came in large party and on a Friday night and there was no wait so take that for what it is. Ordered Hainan chicken, roti, beef rendang, a noodle dish, amongst others. I would literally come back just for the roti canal, it is so good. The meat for the beef rendang was pretty tender but I think the flavor is better at Phat Eatery. Overall, good service and a good place to get Malaysian food. Will come back to try more things!

    Soo L.

    Came for lunch in the middle of the week. Lunch menu special: Order three dishes, receive the fourth free! It also came with complimentary seaweed soup. We two ordered four dishes to use the special offer: Char Koay Teow, Hainanese Chicken, Black Pepper Fish Filet, Curry Chicken Laksa. I made the mistake of saying we didn't like it too spicy. I think they toned it down too much. Still, we'll be back to try other dishes!

    Kacy M.

    My group ordered the Hainanese Chicken, Snow Pea Leaf, Salted Egg Golden Calamari, Salted Egg Fried Chicken, Malaysia Style Sizzling Tofu, Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Mee, and Seafood Noodles. The menu prices range from $5.95-$27.95. We did have a Malaysian born friend in the group who has dined here before so he knew what to get and got a couple things that he hasn't tried on his last visit. The workers were very kind and were speaking Cantonese which I loved (Malaysia is a melting pot so you don't know who you're gonna get). Standout dishes were the calamari (crunchy and addicting, could've ate half the dish myself), snow pea leaves (cooked perfectly with no fuss), and Hainanese chicken (presented beautifully and was fragrant). I wouldn't get any of the noodles next time (too saucy/salty). Can't wait to come back!

    8 Pieces Wonton Soup
    Brittany M.

    Came in on a Thursday for lunch so the place was empty. We ordered a few dishes - the Roti with curry chicken was the best although a tad salty. Most of the dishes reminded me of Chinese take out although everything was beautifully presented. The noodles were actually plain and forgettable. Nothing was bad, service was prompt but considering everything else available in Chinatown, I can't see myself visiting again.

    Salted Egg Golden Calamari
    Isabel W.

    Plenty of parking space as well as seating inside. The menu has a variety of options so coming in a group to share is probably the way to go! Came on a Friday during lent so we were limited to non-meat options but have heard great things about their chicken wings My friends and I ordered: - Roti canai (2 pieced for $5.95): fluffy flatbread served with curry sauce. The flatbread was buttery and flaky and delicious, feel like you can't go wrong with it anywhere you order it. - Salted egg golden calamari ($20.95): lightly battered and deep fried calamari sauteed in egg yolk. I thought that this had a nice flavor that wasn't overwhelming - which salted egg can get. The calamari was cut into smaller pieces and fried so while it made it easy to eat, I think I personally would have enjoyed this bigger. Supposedly the salted egg chicken wings are great so will have to try that next time I visit. - Curry seafood pot ($23.95): jumbo prawn, crab meat, scallops, and veggie cooked with Malaysian spices in curry. This reminded me a bit of a filipino dish called Sinigang, which is a sour tamarind soup. While this wasn't sour, it had a lot of seafood and veggies which was nice. I sort of forgot the flavor, maybe it was a bit underwhelming compared to the other dishes we got - Malaysia sizzling tofu ($15.95): house made tofu with choice of chopped shrimp and shitake served on sizzling hot plate. I love this dish at Banana Leaf and was expecting something similar and was a bit disappointed. Would have loved more sauce because I do think it's a big highlight of the dish. While this was still good, I think it's better at another place. - Char Koay Teow ($13.95): flat noodle stir fried with light and dark soy sauce, sambal, seafood and vegetables Overall, I think the salted egg dishes are worth trying. Everyone was ordering the chili crab, so will have to get that another time!

    Teresa K.

    Having a limited knowledge of Malaysian food, we came here to try some things with friends. The service was good and the people were very friendly. We tried the chicken laksa, a sardine soup, Malaysian fruit appetizer, and roti. The roti was really nice and flakey. The curry that it comes with is thin but good. The sardine soup was super interesting. At first it tasted too vegetal but then it was super intriguing and super fresh tasting. It was actually super good and I'd get it again. The chicken laksa was fine. A bit heavy after having the other soup. The fruit dish was complex. Sour, sweet, salty. Not my cup of tea but other people seem to like it. It was a lot of fruit with pieces of tofu. The sauce was a bit too fishy for my taste but if you like fish sauce or shrimp paste, this may be up your alley. We also got an eggplant dish and egg tofu and both those dishes were super solid. All in all, I'd definitely want to try other things here.

    Beef Flat Noodles
    Jacquelyn C.

    Came with some friends to try this new place out! We started with the roti canai. The roti was hot, flaky, and buttery. It came with two sauces, a curry sauce and a mung bean like sauce. I preferred the curry sauce more, but I did think it was a bit thin in texture. I prefer my curry sauce to be a little thicker. We also got the crispy pork belly which came with a sweet chili sauce. The pork belly wasn't super super crispy, but was yummy nonetheless and actually went really well with the curry sauce that came with the roti. For entrees we got the Malaysia Style sizzling tofu and the flat noodle with beef. I love when tofu comes out on a sizzling platter and I love when they use soft/silken tofu blocks. The gravy paired really well with the tofu which was still crispy despite being doused in sauce. Underneath the bed of tofu was some egg and that was absolutely delicious with the sauce and tofu. The flat noodle was standard, and had a good wok-seared flavor to it. The restaurant is pretty large and there is a lot of seating. Service is also super attentive. They did forget one of the items we ordered but worked quickly to make sure that was rectified.

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    Ask the Community - Sambal Chef

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes

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    Wow!!! The noodles here are some of the best I've ever had. They are hand pulled, thick, chewy. The…read moreoil splashed noodles are incredible--not only are the noodles excellent, the flavor is rich and addictive with umami and subtle spice. We also loved the pork and leek dumplings and Chinese breakfast items (sweet soy bean milk, deep fried dough). Don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu--homey, authentic Chinese food. Self order at cash register area, self seating. Awesome prices. Limited indoor seating.

    Their advertisement pictures on the store front's glass got me drooling so I wanted to check it out…read morewith my boyfriend, also I'm a huge fan of northern chinese food because it's my mom's hometown. The got nice wall art too, depicting the popular dishes from the north so I had my expectation and hopes up. Service is ordinary, she speaks little English but can get by ordering, we order first at the counter the sit anywhere. Braised egg is 2 for $3.50, salty but expected since it's marinated. Came out steaming hot, and yolk was not overly cooked and dry, not bad. Starting with the Chinese hamburger I felt sad and know not to expect too much from the other dishes we ordered. First the meat look different than what others have posted before, and it was kinda dry and too salty to eat. There was no other spice, only the meat juice flavor. The bun they use was stale to eat. Traditional way of making this should be the flaky oily pancake, or at least make the buns softer to eat. The mutton stew was clear and very heartwarming to drink on a cold day. But the portion is super small for the price. The glass noodles were gone in literally two bites. I had none to share with my boyfriend. This dish come with the burger bun too that you can soak them in the soup so I guess this is the extra carb make up for the less noodles. Oil splash noodle is their specialty? It was good but didn't wowed me. Noodles are chewy and well cooked, came with lots of bean sprouts. The sauce is flavorful and actually not too oily which I enjoyed more. You can add the beef for an extra charge, it's the regular braised beef, was just ok. I find it funny that their all food arts on the wall look nothing like the actual way they serve it.

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    Northern Pasta 北方面食 - Inside (chairs put up at 3pm, but can bring them back down if needed)

    Inside (chairs put up at 3pm, but can bring them back down if needed)

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    Hu's Cooking

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    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    8.4 miWest University, Braeswood Place
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    $20-30 We ordered the 3 shrimp egg rolls, beef and broccoli,…read moreand the walnut shrimp. Everything we had was delicious. We highly recommend giving it a try. Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Free parking lot

    I've been a happy patron of Hu's Cooking ever since they opened the year before the pandemic, but…read morebecause of their instant success and local renown from their excellent eats, speedy service, busy-but-not-crowded vibes (see: their 1000+ Yelp reviews) I've never felt the need to drop a review of my own - until just this week. On my most recent visit we ordered mapo tofu with pork intestines off the specials menu - a hybrid of two of my favorite Sichuan-style dishes. The blend of bouncy, savory morsels amidst tender, saucy tofu was at once revolutionary and so obvious; why hadn't I yet seen this at any other restaurant? And sure, innards may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's important for you to know that none of my past orders from the 50+ item menu have ever failed me, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or at home. Maybe you'd prefer the aromatic, classic, perfectly balanced three-cup chicken? Or the sweet-skinned duck, glazed so delicately that specks of sugar crystal threaten to jump off onto the plate as you pick up a juicy slice with your chopsticks? And if you're vegetarian, might you consider the punchy garlic eggplant or the wok-kissed string beans? I could go on. Do yourself a favor and come see for yourself, though I'd recommend parallel parking on the neighborhood streets behind the restaurant rather than the rocky parking lot, to save you some trouble. Bring friends and chow down family style - you'll need help covering as much of the menu as you can, but you'll definitely have to come back to try everything.

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    I walked up to the counter to order. Lady asked if it's take out or eat in. I replied to eat here…read more She said to sit down and order from the table. She brought water and menus. On the table was a holder with chopsticks, soup spoons and napkins. It was a chilly, blustery day - I so enjoyed the Henan-style lamb with noodles soup! Three kinds of noodles: wide, hand-pulled with a nice chew; thin, textured tofu; crystal. Happy with the two quail eggs. There was a nice amount of wood ear fungus, kelp? and fresh cilantro. The lamb was tender and the broth flavorful. I saved half of the soup for dinner and chowed down on the pork bun. It was hot and toasty from the bun being grilled. Had to eat it right away as the bun was crispy crunchy and the sauce inside will eventually make the bottom mushy. "Yum!"

    Was in the sugarland area to study and stopped by Xing's Kitchen for dinner. They are a food…read morestall/restaurant inside of the jusgo market. They have only about 5 tables inside and 1 outside. I wanted to keep it simple and got the shanxi oil noodle. It's been awhile since I've had chili oil hand pulled noodles. The wait was about 10-15 minutes for the food. It came out hot and the aroma of garlic hits you hard. They have chili oil and vinegar available at the table if you want to add some to your food. I thought it was solid and it is actually enough for 2 meals to be honest. Noodles were chewy and soak up all the chili oil and garlic flavor. It's a bit oily, there's a puddle at the end but I'd say it's pretty solid. I would say that northern pasta edges this one out just a bit for best chili oil noodles in Houston tho

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    Xing’s Kitchen - Interior / ig: @joyyeats

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