Rasa Menu

Rasa Restaurant Review:

Rasa, which means “taste” in Malay, is a Southeast Asian eatery with an emphasis on Malaysia and Singapore. The chef, Tommy Lai, has picked up where he left off at Laut. Worth-a-try starters include the popiah roll, stuffed with jícama, mango and peppers and presented like a maki sushi roll. Nasi lemak, a coconut rice bowl crammed with fried anchovies, peanuts and chilies, is also very good. The chicken rice dish, a Malaysian staple, was good as well, but puzzlingly the chicken was not served atop the rice as is the tradition (the rice is served separately and thus does not get flavored with the juices of the chicken). Stew-like beef rendang is complex and fall-apart tender. Finish with caramel-flavored tapioca pudding. Overall, the fare is fine but more adventurous diners might want more spice and the impact of bolder flavors.