Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar

4.6 (101)

£25 and under

Malaysian

171 Holloway Road, London, N7 8LX

About this restaurant

Neighbourhood gem
Vegetarian-friendly
Charming

Mandy Yin is one of the few Malaysian chef/owners in the UK, having founded Sambal Shiok in London in 2013. She is a Malaysian-born Chinese of Peranakan Nyonya heritage. "I take inspiration from everything I ate in my childhood growing up in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Then I mix it up and put a new slant on it.

After a series of sell-out runs for her pop up laksa bar across London, Mandy opened her flagship restaurant in in 2018 to critical acclaim for her signature Peranakan Nyonya curry laksa.

Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar has gone on to achieve cult, award-winning status – Ching He Huang’s Best Innovation Award 2019 and Timeout’s North London Best Loved Restaurant 2022.

Book in for our off-peak 20% food discount:

TUE, WED, THU 5 to 6.15pm

FRI, SAT, SUN 4 to 6.15pm

*Offer does not apply on matchdays. Full food order must be placed before 6.15pm. 90 minute time limit on first person of party being seated.*

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Malaysian
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
020 7619 9888
Website
https://www.sambalshiok.co.uk/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress

Location
171 Holloway Road, London, N7 8LX
Area
Holloway
Parking Details
Street Parking
Public transport
Nearest stations are Holloway Road and Highbury & Islington

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar.

4.6

(101)

4.5Food
4.7Service
4.3Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Energetic

101 Reviews

A
Ash
Wisconsin3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 12 May 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As always, a lovely night out! Sambal Shiok never disappoints from their absolutely stellar food to lovely team! 10/10
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J
Judy
Newcastle and Northumberland2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 21 April 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I have watched Mandy on TV for sometime now and have both of her cookery books so on my trip to London I booked. I knew before I went that I was going to have her famous laksa. I wasn’t disappointed. My husband had the beef rendang again as not disappointed. Food delicious. I had secretly hoped to see her there but as it was a Tuesday I wasn’t expecting it. Staff we very friendly and helpful. Decor basic, looks like any small local restaurant but what a lucky neighbourhood to have this gem on the doorstep. If I lived closer I would be there all of the time. Highly recommend.
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D
David
London4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 17 April 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I love this place and have been coming a few years. Always excellent
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D
Dominic
London1 review
2.0
Dined on 14 March 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Met my son here, despite booking the table well in advance the full menu was not available when we arrived at around 8pm, the food available was limited and when served was average in quality for the price , came here a few years ago and it was a much better experience.
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B
Badiaa
London1 review
5.0
Dined on 6 March 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience: food was excellent and service outstanding !
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D
Dana
London6 reviews
4.0
Dined on 27 February 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We ordered fried chicken and laksas and got the 20% discount for eating early! The prawns in the laksa were great, better than the chicken in my view, definitely get prawn laksa. The hot laksa is pretty hot, but that is what you would hope for! Food is tasty and I really want to support more small businesses so glad to come here and encourage others to! Only small disappointment is that I asked for Sambal on the side and we asked for two which they then charged £5.20 for. I don’t mind them charging but I would have preferred the waitress made us aware - as it’s not usual custom to pay for side sauces or chilli’s etc.
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R
Rohanna
London1 review
5.0
Dined on 20 February 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Rendang was melt in the mouth and great consistency of sauce and sambal tasty - would have loved more anchovies but that’s personal preference. Very enjoyable
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A
Alnoor
London20 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 February 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Every mouthful was yummy! Absolutely amazing that they’ve maintained consistent quality for so many years. A little cramped. Thanks so much.
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P
Paul
London4 reviews
2.0
Dined on 25 January 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 1
Music too loud - no soft furnishings. Peanut (butter) sauce cold - should be warm. Portions on small side. Prices high. Food itself was very tasty. Good service. Tips at 12.5% already factored in when you get the bill - nah, that is for me to decide.
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C
Clare
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 24 January 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always superb, lovely people and wonderful laksa, we always say we are going to try the other options on the menu, but can’t bring ourselves to deviate from ordering the incredible laksa. Maybe next time.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Malaysian
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
020 7619 9888
Website
https://www.sambalshiok.co.uk/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress

Location
171 Holloway Road, London, N7 8LX
Area
Holloway
Parking Details
Street Parking
Public transport
Nearest stations are Holloway Road and Highbury & Islington

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Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar

About this restaurant

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Additional information

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