Mamak brings the hawker food of Kuala Lumpur to the edge of Chinatown, and the queue out the door most evenings tells you it does it well. The draw is the roti — flaky flatbread cooked at a window-front griddle where cooks slap and spin the dough for passers-by — served with curry dipping sauces, or filled and folded into roti tisu and sweet versions. The satay, char-grilled over charcoal and served with thick peanut sauce, is the other essential order.
Prices are low, the room is bright and loud, and they do not take bookings, so come early or be prepared to wait. Open late, it is also one of the better spots in the area for a cheap, satisfying meal after a show at the nearby Capitol Theatre.