Owner and chef Zye Chong came to Hobart 17 years ago from the Malaysian region of Sarawak, an area well-known for its fresh fish and seafood.
He opened Sawak Cafe in 2010 and it has proved a popular takeaway and dine-in lunch and dinner spot. For others, however, it’s been one of these places they have had good intentions of visiting, but never quite made it. Which is a shame, for even among the abundance of Asian eateries Hobart enjoy. Sawak offers many Malaysians dishes that the city has not seen since the long gone days of the Malaysian Tea House.
The restaurant is simple and unpretentious, decorated with Sarawak all hangings and little else. You help yourself to your napkin, utensils and bottled water and, if not already on your table, there are sweet, hot and volcanic chili sauces ramp up the heat in Chong’s otherwise mildly spiced dishes. You can watch him and his stuff in the open kitchen, where their work is punctuated by the regular whoosh and flare of the flaming woks.
Add Review
Read More Reviews
lara Robinson
a month agoThis cafe is super cheap. The entrees were super yummy. The noodles were ok need more protein! The prawn wraps where tinny prawns inside not king prawns.
Evonイオナ
5 months agoAfter traveling around Tasmania for so long, we were really craving the taste of home—and this place delivered exactly what we were looking for. There was a bit of a wait since the shop is small and can’t accommodate too many people at once, but the service absolutely blew us away! The ladies serving us were so kind, and the speed at which the food came out was incredible. As for the food—the true star of the show—it was absolutely amazing! No words can do it justice; you just have to try it yourself, haha. My dad even took a photo of the owner cooking in the kitchen as a keepsake memory—such a wholesome moment!
Olivia
a month agoGenerous portion, good amount of protein, super friendly staff. Nasi lemak with beef rendang and char kway teow taste amazing! Been craving for Malaysian food and this cafe felt like home ❤️
Mel K
a month agoFood are tasty. Nasi Hobart is interesting. They used tuermic rice and rendang chicken leg, with deep fried half egg. Very nice as a whole. Unsure which part is Hobart, but taste good. Rendang chicken is full of flavor, nearly fall apart. Wat tan hor is very good. Thus restaurant is very small, and very busy at night. Suggest to book ahead. Not much big table inside and few tables outside. Real Malaysian chef in the restaurant. Will certainly come back for other dishes next time
jean-luc Tan
4 months agoWe were after a good Asian restaurant and had a great Malaysian dinner this evening. The dishes were so tasty, service very friendly and professional. We highly recommend this authentic Malaysian restaurant.