You know the food is genuinely good when the leftovers taste just as incredible the next day. That’s precisely my experience with Mamak Asian Street Food UCF, the east side sibling to the beloved Mills 50 Malaysian restaurant. Every bite, every noodle, every piece of meat, and every drop of sauce from last night’s takeout was a vibrant reminder of why this place is a gem for Asian street food enthusiasts.
When Mamak first opened its downtown location back in 2014, whispers circulated that it was riding on the coattails of Hawkers’ success, which had debuted a few years prior. Both restaurants share a concept rooted in Asian street food, and even their names echo a similar theme. “Mamak” refers to food stalls or the vendors who passionately serve from them, essentially the heart of Asian street food culture.
However, Mamak quickly carved out its own identity, distinguished by the exceptional quality of its dishes. Based on my recent meal from the UCF location, Mamak isn’t just keeping pace; it might just be setting a new standard for Asian street food in Orlando.
Purely by chance, my order at the UCF spot mirrored my initial experience back in 2014. This time, opting for takeout seemed fitting – after all, what’s more authentic than enjoying Asian street food on the go?
Crispy Roast Pork Belly at Mamak Asian Street Food UCF
Browsing the appetizer section, cleverly labeled “tapas” (a nod to Spanish small plates, a slight detour from the Asian street food theme, perhaps!), I chose the crispy roast pork. These were delightful morsels of pork belly, roasted to perfect crispiness and served with a rich hoisin dipping sauce. The contrast of textures and flavors was a fantastic start to this Asian street food journey.
Bite-sized pieces of crispy roasted pork belly, a flavorful appetizer at Mamak Asian Street Food UCF
Next up was the roti canai, a quintessential Malaysian bread. Described on the menu as flatbread, it’s crucial not to mistake this for the typical pizza-like flatbreads common in American dining. Roti, derived from Sanskrit for bread, and canai, a Malay term meaning to roll thinly, perfectly captures its essence: a thin, flaky bread. But “flatbread” hardly does it justice. This roti canai is exceptionally flaky, almost akin to a flattened, airy croissant, making it a truly unique Asian street food experience. It arrived with a deeply flavorful dipping sauce of coconut kari (curry) gravy. Resisting the urge to simply drink the kari outright was a challenge!
Flaky Roti Canai served with a rich coconut curry dipping sauce, a Malaysian street food staple at Mamak UCF
Venturing into the soup offerings, I selected the kari mee, a beloved Malaysian noodle soup. This vibrant dish is a medley of textures and tastes, featuring noodles, succulent shrimp, tender chicken, fried tofu, crunchy bean sprouts, a boiled egg, and leafy yu choy. Intriguingly, the dry ingredients were presented separately from the broth, which, deliciously, was another iteration of that addictive coconut kari. This thoughtful presentation ensured the noodles and toppings remained perfectly textured, a testament to the care put into this Asian street food creation.
Kari Mee ingredients, featuring noodles, shrimp, chicken and vegetables served separately from the broth at Mamak Asian Street Food UCF
Malaysian Kari Mee soup with noodles, shrimp, chicken and vegetables in a rich coconut curry broth at Mamak Asian Street Food UCF
Equally impressive was the char kway teow, a rice noodle dish that bears a resemblance to pad Thai, but with its own distinct character. Shrimp, chicken, and eggs were expertly tossed with wide, flat rice noodles in a savory sauce of light and dark soy sauces. The smoky wok hei, that signature kiss of the wok, elevated this Asian street food classic to another level.
Char Kway Teow, stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, chicken, and egg in soy sauce, a popular Asian street food dish at Mamak UCF
Another standout was the Malaysian coconut kari. While the menu specified a choice of protein – I opted for beef with potatoes – the dish leaned towards an Indian-style curry in its richness and spice profile. Served generously over wonderfully sticky jasmine rice, it was a comforting and deeply satisfying Asian street food interpretation.
Malaysian Coconut Kari with beef and potatoes served over jasmine rice, a flavorful and hearty Asian-inspired curry at Mamak UCF
The UCF location mirrors the original restaurant’s aesthetic, boasting a slightly larger space with the same warm yellow and brown décor. The dining area felt spacious, with tables thoughtfully spread out. While takeout remains a fantastic option to truly embrace the Asian street food spirit, the ambiance is certainly inviting for an in-house meal. I might just recommend opting for a booth over the somewhat less comfortable-looking metal chairs for a longer dine-in experience.
Interior of Mamak Asian Street Food UCF, showing spacious dining area and yellow and brown decor
Mamak’s online ordering system could use a touch of refinement. Navigating back to the menu after adding an item to the cart isn’t immediately intuitive. The pickup time initially defaults to “ASAP (25 minutes)” without an upfront option to select a later time. It was only at checkout that the option to adjust the pickup time appeared. Also, while the Malaysian coconut curry description mentions a protein choice, it’s worth noting that all protein selections incur an additional charge.
However, these minor website quirks are easily forgiven when considering the exceptional value and quality of the food. The prices are incredibly reasonable, especially given the generous portion sizes – far exceeding what one might typically expect from “street food.” For college students in the area, and frankly, anyone seeking delicious and affordable Asian street food, Mamak UCF is an absolute must-try.
Mamak Asian Street Food UCF is located at 3402 Technological Ave. (facing University Boulevard), Orlando. Their website indicates they are open for lunch and dinner daily, but it’s advisable to call 321-235-6394 to confirm current hours, as they may be limited to dinner service at the moment.
