Serai

Quite enjoyed lunch here! Malaysian food options in the city are very limited sadly, but this does a pretty great job of satisfying this space. The service was good, though we were the only ones around I think at the time we went. The space is fine, but I don’t think you come here for the ambiance, you come here for the food! Looking forward to coming back and trying more options! Highlights were the nasi lemak and roti paratha. Both the beef rendang and the ayam merah were delicious for the nasi lemak. The roti paratha is buttery and wonderful and the chicken curry it comes with was rich and flavorful—we really really liked that. I would probably go with the ayam merah or the chicken curry with my nasi lemak next time, both were delicious. The beef rendang is also a solid option for those who prefer beef. Be aware it is a little fatty. Cumin lamb skewers were good but pretty straightforward in flavor. Also a small serving. We enjoyed both the dessert options, but they weren’t exceptional. Pulut hitam is on the watery end of a rice pudding type of dish, but with a deeper rounder sweetness than a typical rice pudding. I had never had something like this before and glad I tried it. The coconut pudding had a lighter and sweet flavor, with a delicate consistency served inside a coconut. I’d recommend both, but if you’re in the mood for a more robust dessert option these may not fully satisfy.

10/21/23 An off the beaten path gem of a restaurant. We ordered steam dumpling, Rangoon, rendang shrimp. Beef rendang, and panang beef curry. All dishes were exceptional. It's a Saturday night. The place was busy and the servers were busy. The restaurant could use a refresh but, I came here for the food and it did not disappoint. That's why I gave it a 5 stars.

Serai in Chicago offers an authentic Southeast Asian dining experience. The vibrant atmosphere complements the diverse menu, featuring well-executed dishes from Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Standouts include the fragrant rendang, flavorful serai curry laksa , and the perfectly balanced Indonesian fried rice. The attentive service and inviting decor make Serai a top choice for those seeking a culinary journey through Southeast Asia in the heart of Chicago.

Excellent curry laksa and pork char kway teow, a.k.a. char koay teow! Difficult to find parking, not easy to find restaurant on Google maps (drive slowly as you get close to the restaurant). The food is totally worth it. And they have ice Milo as well!! Excellent service. Relaxed, chill atmosphere. Highly recommended for the food. It's quite rare to find a place that has pork char kway teow as well as ice Milo, the two basic ingredients required to pass the Singaporean-Malaysian restaurant authenticity test. Highly recommended!!!

I’m from Singapore and this place has such high quality, authentic-tasting Malaysian/Singapore dishes that rekindled my memories and made me homesick (in a good way)! The chicken satay, beef rendang, laksa and wonton noodles were so well-done, rich, generously portioned for the price and had the authentic local taste. Can’t believe I didn’t come here earlier. Great job, chef!