Where to Eat in Langkawi – Nam Restaurant, Bon Ton
Words: Jacob Weber
Photos: Monica Tindall
I was very, very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food at Bon Ton’s Nam Restaurant.
Don’t get me wrong. Bon Ton is absolutely gorgeous. A charming, homely, rustic resort full of culture and character and a wonderful sense of heritage. (That’ll be the 100-year-old traditional Malay houses converted into very comfortable lodgings.)
It’s just not exactly where you’d expect to find the quality of cuisine that you’d pay three times the price for at one of the fancy five-star hotels in Langkawi.
But In fact, I shouldn’t be surprised at all. I’m just new here.
Bon Ton Resort and Nam Restaurant have received rave reviews from some of the most prestigious publications on the planet for years. Australian owner Narelle McMurtrie has even helped publish a cookbook on Malaysian cuisine, no less. It’s widely considered one of the best restaurants on the island.
Naturally, they do a great Nyonya-style platter and other pan-Asian favourites, but the Western classics are just as good. Having scanned the drinks menu in advance, we’re equally excited to try some of those on this tropical Sunday afternoon.
The outdoor dining area, undercover and open-walled, is a breezy space with a big heart. The tables and chairs are reassuringly thick and heavy, rattan lanterns swing in the wind, genuine artefacts from shop lots and street markets dress every surface, and there are all sorts of interesting and beautiful things everywhere you look.
We feel as comfortable and relaxed as every one of the resort’s many resident cats—time to get started.
Where to Eat in Langkawi
The Spiced Thai-style Coconut Fish Soup (RM28) really opens the palate and puts the taste buds on full alert. This is absolutely delicious, with a proper Thai flavour—almost a curried Tom Yam. It’s rich, creamy, and aromatic, with coriander and mint adding an herbal profile to the powerful spice.
The Salad (RM40) is almost filling enough to be a main course: a heaping, generous, healthy bowl of rocket and mixed leaves with avocado, feta, tomato, olive and pine nuts, finished with a stunning soy lime dressing—the real deal on a hot sunny day.
We’re big fans of the Samosas (RM22/4pcs), which are generously packed with tasty filling. There are two varieties — Vegetable, with Indian-style seasoning, and Cheese & Spinach, an excellent combination in a samosa. Great texture on the dough, too.
The Nyonya Laksa is a house specialty and certainly something special. It’s based on a Malacca Nyonya recipe, with prawns, chicken and noodles in a spicy coconut soup. Every spoonful bursts with flavour, and the special sambal belacan adds even more dimension to the broth. It’s not spicy at all, but there’s a pleasant lingering heat tempered by some sweetness from the accompanying pineapple.
There’s one more dish on the ‘Local Specialty’ menu, and now we know we have to try it. And of course, we’re delighted with our decision. The Nyonya-style Fried Rice (RM44) is a colourful bounty of chicken satay, beef with peanut rendang, acar (pickled carrot and cucumber), fried egg, mango and cashew nut kerabu, and crackers.
It’s a traditional classic, elevated beautifully. The fresh, sweet mango cubes are dressed with sweet chilli sauce and lime juice, which tastes as exciting as it sounds. The rice is cooked with some chicken to give it some extra depth. The peanut rendang is a local recipe. All in all, it’s a must-try.
Still, and as usual, a beef-based dish is my highlight on the menu. The Seared Fillet of Beef (RM84) is a delightfully tender fillet of premium Aussie with a beautiful char. The mashed potato — and as a British person, I say this with absolute authority — is spectacular. The accompanying mustard aioli makes it even better. Caramelised onions, balsamic sauce and spinach complete the picture.
Narelle describes the Fillet of Snapper (RM48) as the “healthiest dish on the menu,” and it both looks and tastes like it. The fillet is flaky, moist, and sweet, lifted sharply by the grape and cranberry salad (complete with a superb pomegranate pine nut dressing). Grilled eggplant with tomato sauce adds a softer and more savoury profile to balance things out.
The Prawn and Pineapple Curry (RM52) is another delicious bowl of sweet-and-savoury tropical comfort food. It’s served with rice, cashew nut kerabu, and more of those excellent mango cubes wearing their sweet chilli goodness.
Where to Eat Dessert in Langkawi
We just about have room for dessert, so we order the Steamed Apple, Macadamia, and Butterscotch Pudding (RM26). After one bite, I realise I would have forced this into my mouth no matter how full I was. It’s awesome. Rich and indulgent, it is perfectly complemented by the apple and ginger compote and gula melaka ice cream.
And because it’s a Sunday, we also get a Cake of the Day (RM10-16). Today, it’s a chewy dark chocolate and raspberry brownie; I’m left contemplating how there could possibly be six others to compete with this throughout the week.
Cocktail & Drinks Menu
There are plenty of exotic items on the beverages menu, too — not in the tropical sense, but more so in the quality imported foreign booze sense.
Step forward, Japanese lagers. (There’s also sake and soju and tuak and artisanal kombucha on the specials menu.)
We get a cold Yamadanishiki (RM28), a fresh and crisp lager-like beer made with Japanese rice, and a White Yuzu (RM28), a smooth, refreshing and slightly sweet Belgium White-style brew. Both beers are served in wine glasses to bring out the most of their aroma—a genius touch—and are perfect against the heat.
Even more refreshing is the Yuzu Spritz (RM34), a light and spritely concoction of yuzu sake, Aperol, prosecco and soda. It’s not too sweet, with just enough sourness, and very pleasant.
The Sparkling Jungle Bird (RM38) is an effervescent take on the classic recipe, with prosecco giving it some va-va-voom (I made this note after the beers, and I refuse to change it now). The Mount Gay Black Barrel rum and Campari give it some punch, with pineapple and lime keeping things sharp.
We can’t resist a frozen Strawberry Daiquiri (RM30) in this weather. Made with Bacardi rum and Cointreau, it’s intense and full-bodied, with a robust sweetness from the strawberries, and goes down gratefully.
We unanimously declare that the Langkawi Sling (RM38) is better than the Singapore variety. Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Aperol, and Campari blend perfectly with pineapple, lemon, and a touch of passionfruit. It’s a little Negroni, a little Jungle Bird, and all-around outstanding.
Finally, a New York Sour (RM38): Maker’s Mark and lemon juice with a red wine float. Make sure you sip through the layers — every fruity, sour, and strong one — to really appreciate this clever little cocktail.
We could stay in this restaurant for hours, perhaps even consider another cake, and watch the planes go by. But sadly, like many a Sunday in Langkawi, we have to get on one of our own soon.
A toast to the excellent work Narelle and her team are doing on the animal rescue shelter next door, and the artists-in-residence program Bon Ton is running — which promises great things for Langkawi’s creative scene — and it’s time to grab our bags.
Where to eat in Langkawi: Nam Restaurant at Bon Ton: charming, relaxing rustic setting in a quiet corner of Langkawi; beautiful heritage resort and restaurant; some of the best food on the island, with varied, high-quality lunch and dinner menus; live music in the evenings; premium imported spirits and liquors; a chance to learn about and connect with community programs that have a positive impact.
Where to Eat in Langkawi – Nam Restaurant
Bon Ton Resort
Jalan Pantai Cenang, Lot 1047
07000 Langkawi, Malaysia
+6 04 955 1688/ 3643
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/Bon.Ton.Resort.Langkawi
Nam Restaurant Opening Hours
Daily 11am – 11pm *Sunday Night Music Club features live performances
Find more recommendations for travel to Langkawi here and stay updated with the latest gourmet happenings in Malaysia here and here.