The Penang Table has opened its doors as Mumbai’s newest destination for authentic Malaysian cuisine. Spearheaded by veteran restaurateur Kishore DF—known for pioneering Southeast Asian and South Indian concepts like Lemongrass Café and Tanjore Tiffin Room—the 34,000-square-foot bistro-style eatery brings the rich, multicultural flavors of Malaysia to India’s financial capital.
The Malaysian restaurant by Kishore DF – the man behind some of the most well-loved eateries including Pot Pourri, Lemon Grass, Seijo & The Soul Dish, WTF and Tanjore Tiffin Room – is where the flavours and heritage of the Southeast Asian country meet Mumbai’s throbbing energy. The kitchen at the premium casual space celebrates the many different influences that have shaped Malaysia’s rich tapestry of flavours. Malay, Chinese, Indian, indigenous and colonial influences lend a diversity and complexity to the dishes, resulting in flavours and textures that are bold and layered. The spotlight is on ingredients such as lemongrass, pandan leaves, tamarind, and a wide variety of fresh and dried spices and herbs such as dried chillies, galangal, turmeric, and candlenut, which are used extensively in Malaysian cuisine to enhance the flavours.
The Penang Table aspires to create a special place in the hearts of food-lovers in the city with food that speaks right to the soul, with its sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes, often hitting the palate simultaneously. Head Chef Mitesh Rangras brings in his expertise at The Penang Table to create a menu where each dish stirs up stories of legends, customs, and personal memories.
There’s comfort to be found in heartwarming soups that bring together Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions – Sup Sayur Campur, vegetable soup with lemongrass & kaffir lime finished with warm soy milk; Asam Laksa, tamarind flavoured deep dashi broth with rice vermicelli noodles & fresh vegetables and Nattu Kozhi Rassam, country chicken rassam served with pulled chicken. Salads and cold plates such as Tender coconut & avocado salad, Crunchy Jicama salad with tamarind chilli dressing, Saravak style Hamachi Ceviche and Prawn & pomelo salad play on textures and seasonal produce.
Signature dishes include Malaysian style crunchy dumplings, a variety of satays, street-classic Roti John which is a savoury French toast stuffed with cheese and chicken with soft baguettes; Roti Canai, homemade flaky parotta topped with their signature curry and house salad; and Bakar Bakar, their chargrill section featuring some standout dishes such as Parmesan Crusted Portobello and Banana Leaf Grilled Fish, all served with a choice of handmade sambals.
Indulge in a variety of street-food classics such as Nasi Lemak, Curry Laksa, Char Kway Teow and Mee Goreng Mamak and signature curries, such as Rendang and Chicken Kari Kapitan. The bar programme by Mixologist Pranav Modi seeks to complement the flavours with cocktails infused with pandan, kaffir lime and lemongrass – never overshadowing the food; always elevating the culinary experience.
Step into The Penang Table and it is likely that you would want to linger on long after the last drink is over. With sunlight streaming in through large windows, hand-painted tiles, planters of all shapes and sizes, and bamboo blinds that lend an earthy feel to the spacious 34,000-ft eatery, the bistro-style setting is perfect for a lazy afternoon spent indulging in wholesome Malaysian flavours. A palette of warm yellows, elegant blacks and spicy reds on the walls and furnishings bring a touch of sophistication to the evenings. Murals of Malayan jungles transport you to the stunning Asian country even as Indian motifs remind you that you are indeed, in the heart of Mumbai.
Says Kishore DF, “I have been in the restaurant business for the last three decades in Mumbai and we pride ourselves in introducing its people to flavours and cuisines that did not find space here earlier, whether it was with Lemongrass Café or Tanjore Tiffin Room. With The Penang Table, we want to put the spotlight on Malaysian cuisine which has so far not received its due in the city.” Parth Purandare, Co-founder, shares, “At The Penang Table, we wanted to bring something new to the city — a cuisine that truly represents the cosmopolitan spirit of Asia. Malaysian food is a beautiful confluence of cultures, flavours, and traditions, and yet it remained largely undiscovered here. For us, it’s about celebrating that diversity and giving people a taste of the world they’re curious to explore.”
He adds, “It has all the quintessential ingredients that appeal to the Indian palate with its spices, curries, rice and rotis, and we feel this is the right time to bring this melting pot of flavours to the discerning customer.”
At The Penang Table, Mumbai’s vibe and Malaysia’s heritage don’t just meet—they sit down for a delicious and memorable meal.
- Brand Name: The Penang Table
- Address: 1st Floor, VN Sphere Mall, Linking Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, 400050
- Timings for dining: 12 pm to 12 am
- Price for two: 1800/-
