
Have you ever turned the corner on Eversholt Street, right outside Euston station, and seen the long queues stretching back from what seems to be a humble staircase to a basement? Yeah, that’s the queue to Malaysian restaurant Roti King – and their (at least) 45-minute queues are legendary. Those who have ventured through the doors of the no-frills-but-all-the-flavour establishment can testify: the wait is most definitely worth it. And now, after eight years of drawing crowds to Euston from all over London, Roti King is opening their second outpost!
The doors swing open today (May 5) at a prime riverside location at Battersea Power Station, under the arches at Circus West Village. Like the established Euston branch, you can expect some of the best Malaysian food in the capital here; owner and original Roti King Sugen Gopal has recreated all the best elements of their first restaurant in this new spot, plus added some new features.
The first of these new attributes is clear before you even step foot in the eatery: you can book a table! Now, the whole queuing culture isn’t completely out the window, but half of the tables will be available for pre-booking.
Whether you’re a pre-booker or a walk in though, the restaurant itself can be a little hard to find. If you’re arriving via the 156 bus or the Battersea Power Station Tube station, it’s about an eight-minute walk. Head towards the Thames with the Power Station itself on your right. Once you arrive at the Thames, keep going to your left until you see the sign for Arches Street (just before you walk under the bridge). This sign will direct you straight to Roti King, which is located under the arches, along with other restaurants, and the likes of Boom Cycle.
Upon arrival, the outpost’s interior reflects that of its sister site: a stripped back aesthetic that lets the food do all the talking. In this location though, there is a more industrial look, with exposed piping on the ceilings, softened with indoor plants and dark wood furniture.
When it comes to the food, of course, Roti King’s famous roti canai will be on the menu. You’ll be able to watch the talented chefs create the signature handmade dough in the open kitchen, presenting warm, fluffy and fresh roti to you with chicken, mutton, dhal or fish. The team are also aiming to be the first in the UK to create the first vegan roti canai. Personally, I recommend the deep and spicy flavour of dhal to accompany the roti, but all options are pretty great. Other dishes from Malaysian cuisine are also on offer, like nasi goreng, beef rendang and laskas, with Gopal adding more vegetarian and vegan options to the Battersea menu too.
To accompany your meal, South Asian beer by the bottle and canned wines make up the simple alcohol menu. Soft drinks include sodas, coffee and teas, such as teh tarik, a Malaysian pulled tea with condensed milk that can be served hot or cold. Three sweet rotis form the dessert menu; despite being the same roti recipe you’ll have enjoyed savoury, the sweeter toppings transform the dough into something new. We loved the coconut jam filling, which had a caramel-esque taste.
Roti King joins over 20 bars, restaurants, cafés, fitness and leisure offerings already open in Circus West Village at Battersea Power Station; why not head over to the area and make a day of it? Find out more on Battersea Power Station’s website. Roti King is available for takeaway and delivery if you reside in the local area; check out Roti King’s full menu here.