Chahaya Malaysia welcomes you to their establishment. Explore a menu featuring our renowned spring rolls, satay with homemade peanut sauce, noodles, curries, and much more. We also feature an extensive vegetarian menu, and our food is halal. Our dishes range from completely mild to very hot, all marked on our menu for your convenience. We have takeout and 56 seats for dining in Chahaya Malaysia.more...See more text
I have loved this restaurant ever since it was in the Glebe. I was away from Ottawa for a number of years, and when I returned I found that it had moved to Montreal Road. I have been telling my colleagues at work about this place for some time now and yesterday they suggested we go for the lunch buffet. I had never tried the buffet before and I was somewhat apprehensive as to whether the food would be as delicous as I found it in the evenings. And of course whether those who were joining me would all find the food appealing.
Everyone at my table gave "kudos" as soon as they had taken in the first morsel in their mouth. I was overjoyed by their reaction. The buffet today (August 8, 2008) consisted of Rice, variations of Beef and Chicken curries, Stir Fried Vegetables, vegetarian spring rolls, chicken soup, and Pita Bread. Superb was the verdict for every dish, and we ordered half/half of the Beef Rendang spicy/mild renditions. The beef simply melted in our mouth - it is that tender, but really the spicy (3*) version of the rendang is something that should be shared and not ordered as a main dish if you are by yourself. You don't feel the heat so much in the mouth as you do when your stomach gets a tingling of it. It is incredibly tasty but be aware of the spicyness.
The dishes on the buffet ranged from mild to medium hot, and everyone was able to handle them quite comfortably. The spring rolls were regualrly replenished because as the owner explained "we want you to have them crispy and not soggy". Great taste. The Indonesian Gado Gado salad (I prefer it over the Malysisan Gado gado) has plenty of chillies and is smothered in peanut sauce with a generous helping of beans, tofu, cucumbers and sprouts. Absolutely delicous. The total bill for 4 with a couple of soft drinks came to around $70.00. The buffet is reasonably priced at $9.95 per person.
I have found the owners to be welcoming and warm.
I highly recommend this place for fresh and tasty food. It has plenty of free parking.
From the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau to the restaurant, it was only a 15 minute drive. Don't let the fact that it is in the East end of Ottawa deter you from going to Chahaya Malaysia.
I have been at least five times and enjoyed it most of the time. When they say the soup is hot/spicy, it is really so. One of my colleage from Punjab boasts in having a high tolerance to hot chilli, and thus ordered the hot/spicy grade of the soup, despite my warning him and to take the milder grade. Even he found it too spicy to finish. So, you should only order the spicy range that you can tolerate. I actually found the lady waitress amicable most of the time. There were times, when she was alone by herself, and had too many people to serve, making things rush rush. But in all my five times, never got rude behaviour. I met the chef once, very friendly, and showed us the meat, which has the seal of being Halal (appropriate for muslim customers) and imported from New Zealand. Parking was always available. We had buffet once, and by order rest of the time, and the food was good.
Love the way that the owner and his wife will go...
Love the way that the owner and his wife will go out of their way to ensure everything is how you want. Don't like mushrooms...no problem! Tofu is the best I've tried anywhere and impresses even meat lovers. This restauant has ruined me for anywhere else! Even my ultra picky vegan sister has been impressed.
I really enjoyed the food here. The atmosphere is...
I really enjoyed the food here. The atmosphere is very welcoming. I felt like I was in Malaysia when I visited here. The batik table cloths are beautiful, and so are many of the paintings. The exterior look of the building certainly does not reflect the taste of the food. It was very delicious, in regards to the comment below mine, I also had the teh tarek, and I don't think the owner made it "just for you," considering it is on the menu and ANYONE can order it... I have been before and I find the service very friendly each time. I have been served by both of the owners, and their children and I find them all very personable and sweet. I am of Malaysian descent and felt at home eating here. Thanks Chahaya Malaysia for bringing me home to my roots.
