Bonda Cafe’s location may not be that obvious but once you walk down the stairs you’ll feel as if you were part of some special, private club. You won’t find elaborate decor or over the top menu items here but you will find satisfying, authentic and inexpensive Malaysian food.

The Venue
The decor at Bonda Cafe is beyond simple. The restaurant only holds ten tables which look basic paired with wood chairs and grey marble floor. White walls are lined with photographs of various Malaysian dishes. Since you are below street level, the ceiling may seem a bit low but the use of white paint and minimal decorations open up the space. A small dessert case in front faces the door where you can admire the cakes and interesting looking Malaysian desserts.

The Atmosphere
It seems as if most of the people eating at Bonda Cafe have already been there and are repeat customers. With such an intimate, small setting you can expect friendly and attentive service. You get the feeling that you are eating a meal at friend or family member’s house, not a restaurant in the middle of London.

The Food
The a la carte menu is broken down into mixed rice, starters, rice, egg, Asian noodles (choice of yellow noodle, rice vermicelli or kway teow), meat (beef and lamb), seafood (squid, prawn and mussel), chicken, fish, vegetables, specials, desserts, and drinks. Poppa (spring rolls) are a great starter. The vegetarian spring rolls (£2.50) come in a serving of four and are filled with shredded cabbage, carrots and bean sprouts. They are served with a mildly spiced sweet and sour dipping sauce that blends wonderfully with the crunchy vegetables and crispy fried coating. The seafood spring rolls (£3) are also bursting with cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts but also have prawns and other mixed seafood tucked in. They are served with the same sweet and sour sauce to dip to your hearts content.

Udang goreng tepung (£4) is a starter of deep fried prawns served with chilli sauce. The dish comes in a generous serving of nine pieces so you might want to share it. Whole prawns are crunchy and fresh with a coating of thick fried batter surrounding them. The batter is fluffy and light but a tad bit greasy. Mee goreng sayur (£4.50) for a main course is your choice of noodles mixed with egg, bean curd, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, spring onions, red and green peppers and carrots all fried together with a mild brown sauce. There is just a hint of spice with the addition of sliced red chili peppers as a garnish. It’s satisfying but not overly filling and will leave you with room for dessert.

Nasi goreng special (£6.50) consists of spicy seafood fried rice served with fried chicken and prawn crackers. The rice is full of an interesting mix of peas, corn, fava beans, red chilli peppers, onions and carrots which all blend well together with shrimp, squid and other seafood. The dish is topped with thick and juicy portions of chicken wing and half a breast. Kari ayam (£5.30) is a Malaysian style chicken curry. The dish incorporates chicken wings, breasts and legs with potatoes, basil, spring onions, and red chilli peppers all simmered in a dark, rich and slightly sweet curry sauce which has a truly unique flavour. The meat is not de-boned though and as it is served in a small bowl it may be a little difficult to cut.

Gado gado (£4.50) is a crispy salad of tiny green beans, bean sprouts, spinach, boiled egg and fried tofu topped with thick peanut sauce. Though this is a salad, it is served warm and is filling enough to be your only main course. The bean sprouts are crunchy while the tofu is soft inside and lightly fried on the outside. Peanut sauce is sweet, savoury and coats the vegetables evenly but seems a bit heavy.

For dessert there are many tempting choices such as ice cream, homemade cakes and Malaysian puddings. Mango cheesecake (£2.50) is thick and creamy cheesecake combined with pureed fresh mango on a biscuit crust. Another fantastic cake is the Oreo cheesecake (£2.50) which has crushed Oreo cookie crust, a layer of thick cheesecake filling topped with a layer of milk chocolate. This is a truly decadent dessert.

The Drink
Bonda Cafe doesn’t serve alcohol but you are welcome to bring your own if you choose. There are lots of exotic Malaysian drinks and fresh juices as well as teas and mineral waters, all for about £2 or under.

The Last Word
Bonda Cafe delivers simple, inexpensive food and pleasant service. If you are looking for an authentic Malaysian meal then head here.

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