Located just a stone's throw from Glasgow's Queen's Park in Shawlands, Julie's Kopitiam is a small neighbourhood joint serving Malaysian street food. Owned and run by former MasterChef quarterfinalist Julie Lin Macleod, the casual restaurant is often full to the brim but you can simply add your name to a list, be given a time, and pass the time in a nearby pub until it's your turn.
Inspired by a tiny eatery in Malaysia owned by Julie's aunt, Julie's Kopitiam began life as a small pop-up before quickly turning into the full-on restaurant operation that it is today. The informal nature and reasonably priced menu of Julie's Kopitiam make it the perfect place for a lunch or dinner time feast with friends and family.
'Kopitiam' translates as 'small Malaysian café and local eatery' and Julie's Kopitiam has certainly been styled to feel like a café. There's very little by way of décor apart from some plants in the window, and the tables and chairs dotted around the cosy space. An open kitchen looks out over the restaurant allowing customers to see the chefs at work.
The food menu at Julie's Kopitiam, which changes regularly, covers plenty of ground and has options for all dietary requirements. Small plates on offer include smacked cucumber, crispy sweetcorn fritters served with tamarind chutney, and fried mooli with xo sauce. For mains, you can expect everything from Malaysian laksa and a traditional nasi goreng, to sambal fried hake with green beans, and tamarind pork belly with mushrooms. Sweet options might include sticky coconut rice pudding and kulfi.
While Julie's Kopitiam doesn't serve any alcohol, there is a variety of soft drinks available. These include a selection of Kopitiam's own teas and iced teas, as well as some unusual flavours of slushie. There's also the option to go for a classic sweet Malaysian childhood drink, known as a hot milo made from hot chocolate, malt and condensed milk.