Wahay Malay (Bandung Village)

Member Name: Cheuk

Product:	Bandung Village
Date:	20/06/01 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good delicous food, Nice atmosphere, Different , Good Value for money

Disadvantages: Nut allergy sufferers beware, Service charge added

I would love to hate this place, but I’d have to admit I rather liked this little restaurant.
This is in a quiet part of Jericho a few minutes walk from the Ashmoleum Museum in the centre, near the JR Infirmary, round the corner from Somerville. As with car parking remember this is Oxford so get on your bike. Well a car park is available in Worcester place and a few minutes walk away. Driving along this street is inadvisable with all the traffic calming measures and speed bumps.

In fact when I visited this place I had a rather pleasant walk to get there, the street not too busy at this end anyway. The restaurant seems rather seedy like those you see in American movies. No this is Oxford, seediness is not usually a word associated with it. Well this part does seem like that though.

After braving myself to go in, the décor seem to match the atmosphere. A huge mirror covers the far side wall. This is quite confusing, since it makes the place bigger than it really was. There is seating also available downstairs also. Actually the place is quite pleasant adding to its own distinct character which is probably subjected to taste.

The place was busy and the waiter offered a choice of tables. More on him later. As I was eating alone, the special menus were not really applicable to me. There is a very reasonable priced Sunday buffet, not available in the evenings and a different daily special menu with £7 a head, but a minimum of 2 people. These offers look reasonable. The main menu itself contains a limited but good range of Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines. Vegetarians are well catered for. Note there is no pork on the menu, due to the Muslim culture of these countries. Duck, chicken, beef, lamb and seafood are on offer though. Starters start from a few pounds. Main course start from £4 and seafood dishes from £7. There is a good wine list and drinks selection. Very good for cocktails too, but didn’
t try any of the drinks. Had a pot of jasmine tea instead. Offered a refill at the end of the meal.

Note nut allergy sufferers. You may not want to eat at this place, since there are a number of nut dishes, and if you do then make sure you make it clear to the waiter and management that no traces of nut should be present in your dish.


Service was rather slow, though the waiter was on his own and it was rather busy. Left me to look at the menu, for a while before came to ask what I want. After placing the order of noodles which was fried with beef and beansprouts, and a roast duck dish with peanut sauce I expected my drink to come. No I was wrong. A basket of prawncrackers was brought to the table, but I hadn’t ordered them! Anyway being rather hungry I tucked into them. The manager then came to start his shift and proceeded to make my pot of tea as I could hear the water boiling. After devouring the basket of prawncrackers, my tea came. Soon a plate arrived on my table. Not to long after that my dinner arrived. The portion size was good, and looked the part also. The duck dish was rather greasy though. The noodles looked appetizing and was delicious on its own. Likewise the duck was also tasty.

The waiter was OK, just didn’t smile and seem friendly, but is a bit of a character. The manager was friendly and came to ask whether things were Ok. A nice touch. The service was pleasant, not too much banter and slightly slow.

The only annoying thing was the added service charge at the end, I couldn’t remember seeing this on the menu. I always think it is up to the customer discretion when it comes to tipping. I think this was 10% of my final bill.

So for those sick of Chinese or Indian cuisines or jut want to try something new, then this is well recommended. Just watch out for the nuts!

Summary: