To spot Kedai Makan, look for a cozy storefront with vibrant signage and a splash of color, nestled right along Olive Way-if you catch a whiff of spices in the air, you’re in the right place!
Welcome to Kedai Makan, where the streets of Capitol Hill transform into a Malaysian food festival! Just imagine: back in 2013, what started as a humble pop-up run by Kevin Burzell and Alysson Wilson burst onto the scene, packing their passion for Malaysian flavors into what was once the home of Taco Gringos. Picture the scent of nasi goreng belacan and five-spice beef dancing out the door, luring hungry locals past the sibling Montana Bar next door. At first, the operation was all takeout-people lining up on chilly evenings for murtabak and bottled sauces, their breath visible in the Seattle air, anticipation tickling their noses.
As months rolled by, Kedai Makan expanded, evolving into a full-service delight-suddenly your plate could sport everything from chili pan mee to duck noodles and even fried frog legs (now there’s a leap of faith!). The chefs’ tastes traveled across Malaysia: sweet-spicy tofu, crispy ayam goreng masala, and bowls of sarawak laksa. And for the truly bold? Ngow Lam Fan, with its stewed beef, five spice, and chewy noodles-a flavor journey that’ll give your taste buds a passport stamp.
But, like a good plot twist in a soap opera, Kedai Makan closed in 2022, leaving fans with empty bellies and aching hearts. Happily, the curtain rose again: new ownership revived the soulful spot, and in 2024, the aromas wafted all the way to Belltown with a second location. Named one of Seattle’s “essential” restaurants, loved for bold flavors and a homey vibe-it’s a treat for every sense. So as you stand here, imagine generations of Seattleites hooked on vibrant curries-and maybe leave room for one extra roti!
