At First Bite: New Malaysian Cuisine At Al Seabu

There are only a handful of Malaysian restaurants in Brooklyn, and as of last week, Park Slope is lucky enough to have one of them. Al Seabu has opened at 383 5th Avenue, between 6th and 7th Streets, touting its menu as “Malaysian fusion and seafood cuisine,” and its unique offerings are worth a visit.

The space was redone since Chip Shop closed in December, and it’s a bright, casual space that friends and families will enjoy sitting down to a meal at — though they are also offering delivery.

If you’ve never tried Malaysian food, but you’re a fan of the wide variety or cuisines from around Asia that we’ve already got in the neighborhood, you’ll find some hints of those here. With influences from China to India, Malaysian food is an interesting combination of flavors and styles, and with a fairly small menu at Al Seabu, if you come with a group, you’ll be able to sample a number of them.

We went with what’s probably the most popular Malaysian dish: Nasi Lemak. It apparently translates to “greasy rice,” and is most commonly eaten at breakfast, but we’d happily enjoy it at lunch or dinner. Their version comes with the traditional spicy sambal sauce, fried anchovies, hard-boiled egg, roasted peanuts, slices of cucumber, and a savory coconut jasmine rice, plus a bowl of chicken and potatoes in a curry sauce. The curry is mild, but the sambal brings the heat, while the tender chicken is set off by the crunch of the anchovies, all for a balanced plate that transports you to a 90-degree day in a far-off place. And for $12 (or $10 at lunch), it’s a good-sized portion that’s very filling.

We’re looking forward to returning to try so much more of the menu, from the satay skewers to the soup noodles with a spicy-sour fish broth to the seafood platter with shrimp, crawfish, and mussels.

Have you tried the new spot yet? What’d you think?

Al Seabu is located at 383 5th Avenue, between 6th and 7th Streets, 718-369-0309. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm. Lunch specials run from 11:30am-3:30pm Monday-Friday.

NOTE: According to their Facebook page, they’re closed today, Wednesday, April 8 to work on their kitchen, but plan to reopen on April 9.