4 months ago
If there’s one name you need to know when it comes to Malaysian food in London, it’s Mandy Yin.
The chef behind the award-winning Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar has been on a mission to bring the rich, spicy flavours of Malaysia to the British public. And if you’re wondering what’s next for this culinary powerhouse, you’ll find her at the celebrASIA festival at Battersea Power Station from 13th to 15th September 2024.
Mandy’s journey into the food world is as unique as her dishes. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mandy grew up with the flavours of Peranakan Nyonya cuisine, watching her mum cook incredible meals. But it wasn’t until she moved to London and started law school that she began to cook herself. After several years as a corporate lawyer, the unsustainable hours took their toll, and she decided to follow her true passion: food.
Mandy started small, setting up a street food stall in 2013 and later creating her pop-up laksa bar, which quickly gained a loyal following. By 2018, she had opened her flagship restaurant, Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar, in Highbury, Islington, serving up her signature Peranakan Nyonya curry laksa—a unique blend of Kuala Lumpur’s milder curry laksa and Penang’s tangier, fish-forward assam laksa. Since then, she’s been winning hearts and taste buds with dishes like her Malaysian fried chicken with peanut sauce, a staple that has been pulling in crowds since her street food days.
When Mandy first started out, there were only a handful of Malaysian restaurants in London. Fast forward a decade, and the city now boasts a growing number of Malaysian eateries, including several laksa-focused spots. Alongside fellow chefs like Ping Coombes (Masterchef 2014 winner), Sugen Gopal of Roti King, and Julie Lin from Gaga Glasgow, Mandy is part of a movement showcasing the incredible variety of Malaysian cuisine to a new audience.
This September, Mandy will be an ambassador at celebrASIA, a brand-new festival created by Battersea Power Station to celebrate South East Asian culture. Taking place from 13th to 15th September 2024, this festival promises a weekend packed with delicious food, vibrant performances, and engaging workshops. For Mandy, it’s a chance to share her Malaysian heritage with a wider audience and celebrate the rich diversity of South East Asian culture in London.
“Festivals like celebrASIA are so important because they bring the South East Asian community together,” says Mandy. “It’s a chance to foster a stronger sense of belonging in our adopted home and share what we love about South East Asia with people who may never have visited the region.”
For this year’s festival, Mandy has collaborated with Chick ‘N’ Sours to create an exclusive dish: the Satay Fried Chicken Sandwich. This creation combines Chick ‘N’ Sours’ incredible chicken with Mandy’s famous peanut sauce and unique tomato sambal. “It brings me full circle back to my street food roots,” Mandy says. “I can’t wait for visitors to try it!”
The festival will transport visitors to South East Asia with stunning decorations, including elephant sculptures, a traditional kite display, and hundreds of lanterns under Grosvenor Bridge. Visitors can explore a market featuring South East Asian artisanal products and participate in workshops like crafting a personalised pewter dish, making lanterns for the Mooncake festival, or trying their hand at Batik art.
There will also be a packed programme of live performances, from traditional dances to DJ sets, and plenty of activities for kids, including arts and crafts and an interactive ‘Grand Tour’. And, of course, there will be food! From Roti King’s iconic Malaysian dishes to Hanoi Kitchen’s pho, visitors will have the chance to taste some of the best South East Asian cuisine London has to offer.
When asked what she’s most looking forward to at celebrASIA, Mandy says, “I’m excited to be transported back to South East Asia for the weekend. It will be an incredible experience to be part of this unique festival. And, of course, being a chef, I’m most excited about trying all the food!”
Catch Mandy at celebrASIA this September, and don’t miss the chance to experience her incredible food and passion for Malaysian cuisine up close. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the flavours of Southeast Asia, you’re in for a treat.
Date: Friday 13th September 2024
Timings: Launch reception between 5pm – 7pm, followed by exploring the wider celebrASIA offering
Location: Level One, Turbine Hall A, Battersea Power Station, London SW11 8DD
