415387 Tue Jun 26 13:28:31 -0700 2007 44 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2696498 the type that is totally layered and you have to pick at it to eat it. not something flat and one layered like naan. i've had great roti prata at straits cafe. was just wondering what other places are good? thanks. Tue Jun 26 13:28:31 -0700 2007 108142 commuter_101 1 2697651 i love love love the roti prata at Banana Leaf (Milpitas). if you're ever there on the weekends you see the special roti chefs churning these out like there's no tomorrow! Tue Jun 26 19:08:21 -0700 2007 2696498 108235 atobiko 1 2697681 Roti Canai at Singapore OTC in Dublin is great. Tue Jun 26 19:22:56 -0700 2007 2696498 103870 Fussy Foodie 1 2697949 I enjoyed the Roti Canai at Banyan Garden in Union City. You can see them making them in the kitchen through the window. Tue Jun 26 21:11:41 -0700 2007 2696498 108259 clarsen 2 2700160 Is the place in the shopping center on John Daly Blvd still there? Banana Island, I think it's called... what do people think of the roti canai there? I've only been once, had soup as I was under the weather, but they had a special open kitchen area where the roti was made and it looked many-layered at the other tables I observed. I've been meaning to go back to investigate further. Wed Jun 27 12:52:53 -0700 2007 2697949 14494 bernalgirl 3 2700783 Roti prata was good, unfortunately they were out of murtabak on the day we went (a sunday). They also had deserts made from roti prata (peanut butter, fruits etc stuffed in the roti prata & folded to make pockets). Wed Jun 27 15:22:33 -0700 2007 2700160 24544 rdabke 2 2711015 Can you describe the process the chefs use to make the roti? I had one in Singapore where the chef repeatedly slammed a ball of dough against a hot griddle until it was paper thin, then folded it up (actually, it was a murtabak, so he folded seasoned lamb and a raw egg into it). One of the best things I've had in my life, and for a while I was obsessed with murtabak, but I've had so many tough ones that I kind of gave up. But if Banyan Garden makes them with that process, I'm there. Sun Jul 01 10:47:20 -0700 2007 2697949 44059 daveena 1 2704102 I'm a fan of the roti prata at Shiok! in Menlo Park. Thu Jun 28 14:05:08 -0700 2007 2696498 23725 iOrderTheLamb 2 2710490 As crazy as it sounds, the best roti prata I've had is at the Coconut Grove in the Great Mall (http://www.coconutgrovemilpitas.com/), much much better then the one at Banana Leaf (although the Banana Leaf probably has better entrees). If it didn't make me look like a pig I could order 10 orders of roti prata there and call it lunch. Sun Jul 01 02:20:03 -0700 2007 2704102 109044 Bunson 3 2711019 Have you had their murtabak (see explanation of my murtabak obsession above). I just looked at their online menu... looks like theirs is with beef. Wish I could find one made with lamb. Sun Jul 01 10:48:37 -0700 2007 2710490 44059 daveena 4 2711066 I did get the roti murtabak once - it was made with ground beef and onion, decent but didn't blow me away. I would have been better off with two orders of the prata, which alone is why I go back there. Sun Jul 01 11:19:49 -0700 2007 2711019 109044 Bunson 4 2712931 Daveena Being a fan of Murtabak myself, I completely understand your obsession. When In Singapore, I have been multiple times to Zam Zam solely to eat the Murtabak. IMHO, there is nothing like the murtabak that you get there. I have had multiple including the one in Coconut grove, Banana *, Penang * etc. but nothing like the one in Singapore. perhaps the one that comes closest is the one available at Straits Cafe in SF. Mon Jul 02 09:13:32 -0700 2007 2711019 24544 rdabke 5 2714695 Interesting - I tried a bunch of places in the South Bay and came to a similar conclusion (Straits in Burlingame won - I haven't tried Straits in SF). Link to my original murtabak post, before I hijack this thread any further: http://www.chow.com/topics/331663 Mon Jul 02 18:01:26 -0700 2007 2712931 44059 daveena 6 2714930 the former Straits chef is now at Lime Tree making really good murtabak for the half the price. Mon Jul 02 19:30:43 -0700 2007 2714695 52212 Lori SF 5 2717003 Now we just need some stalls where we can get it fresh after midnight. It always is best in Singapore when you've been out all night on the town and need something to stick to your gut! Tue Jul 03 12:58:49 -0700 2007 2712931 103389 grinch 1 2711027 http://www.chow.com/topics/347001 Sun Jul 01 10:51:45 -0700 2007 2696498 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 2711119 I heard Lime Tree on Irving (Inner Sunset) makes a very good one and half the price of Sraits Cafe. I have walked by this place a few times before I realized it was a restaurant, so it easy to miss. I am going to check it out this week. Sun Jul 01 11:46:59 -0700 2007 2696498 52212 Lori SF 2 2711435 I had lunch at Lime Tree couple of days ago. The roti and murtabak were very good. Sun Jul 01 15:08:14 -0700 2007 2711119 11386 svL 3 2711975 we finally went tonight and the Roti and several other dished were excellent.. the owner is from Straits and so nice.. Irving Street can use a good simple place.. and so cheap..my goodness a dinner for two 23.00 and we ate well. Sun Jul 01 20:19:47 -0700 2007 2711435 52212 Lori SF 4 2726821 wanted to add the link, just realized this feature Sat Jul 07 06:37:27 -0700 2007 2711975 52212 Lori SF 1 2713389 I second Lime Tree on Iriving and 5th Ave in SF. The roti is under $3, and they serve it with a curry type dipping sauce. A really great deal for the quality, highly recommended. Here's one off the radar: Rin's Thai on 24th and Douglass (Noe Valley) also has a nice roti prata, but the twist is that it's grilled. That gives it a light smokey essence, but yet still produces a crisp exterior and chewy layered interior. A bit on the expensive side at around $6, but they also serve it with a side of delicious peanut dipping sauce which you can also use with your rice. Mon Jul 02 11:11:43 -0700 2007 2696498 17028 John Doe 1 2713666 So the prata is the thicker, more like a thick parantha and roti canai is the very thin crispy/chewy one, correct? I think these are two different rotis- I definitely love roti canai more than the thicker variant. Several of the posters are recommending roti canai, which might not be what is being described by the OP? Mon Jul 02 12:22:00 -0700 2007 2696498 40489 P. Punko 2 2713711 I believe they're two names for the same general type of flatbread, which under either name can be either thick or thin, layered or not, depending on the cook. Mon Jul 02 12:36:00 -0700 2007 2713666 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 2714303 I just found this blog post about the two- says "canai" is what they call it in Malaysia and "prata" is more the Singaporean name for it. I do know the Straits version is thicker for sure. http://albertmah.multiply.com/journal/item/16 Mon Jul 02 15:25:59 -0700 2007 2713711 40489 P. Punko 1 2718324 Langkawi in Foster City serves both a thin and thick Roti Prata. Both are better, in my opinion, than the Straits (Burlingame) rendition. I revisited last week and have been daydreaming about the place ever since. Excellent Singaporean/Malaysian food, friendly and attentive service, slightly kitschy tropical beach ambiance complete with fishtank. It's a fun place. A bit off-topic from the OP, but I was very pleased to find sauteed kangkung (aka pak boong, ong choy, water convolvus, morning glory) with garlic on the menu here - this is one of my very favorite dishes, ever since a memorable introduction in Thailand. Langkawi 2946 S. Norfolk St San Mateo, CA 94403 650-349-1688 Tue Jul 03 21:37:44 -0700 2007 2696498 22016 Pincho 2 3001898 I was just thinking of Langkawi. We ordered it the last time (few weeks ago) and it was really good and fun to eat. Wed Oct 03 17:15:46 -0700 2007 2718324 13103 Foodrat 1 2726089 Here's my photo of a great version of roti canai, in the Napa Valley, of all places! http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/499037267_36c622bf58_o.jpg Fri Jul 06 18:47:32 -0700 2007 2696498 10039 Melanie Wong 2 2726173 Melanie, where did you get that roti canai? I'd like to try it no matter how far. Fri Jul 06 19:23:42 -0700 2007 2726089 10677 hhc 3 2726396 Jayakarta in Berkeley has roti that looks just like Melanie's picture. Fri Jul 06 21:32:08 -0700 2007 2726173 11940 DezzerSF 3 2755955 China Chef in American Canyon, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/400097 Mon Jul 16 20:17:13 -0700 2007 2726173 10039 Melanie Wong 2 2726266 I do know Banana Leaf and Spice Islands have just that kind. Not sure if they are as good, but I love balance of the crispy and chewy in the thin, plus of course the curry to scoop up. Fri Jul 06 20:19:44 -0700 2007 2726089 40489 P. Punko 1 2771179 I'm lived in Singapore, if I have cravings for Roti Prata or any other Singapore dishes. I head down to Shiok at Menlo Park. Lovely old couple from Singapore runs this place, you won't regret it. Sat Jul 21 15:27:13 -0700 2007 2696498 113418 f0rumm3r 1 3001828 Hey Roti lover friends I have been to Banana Leaf- excellent yes but not a cheap meal. Also as listed Spice Islands Cafe in Mt View is excellent a little cheaper and also has an extra thick roti you can buy. Against my better judgment I went to red Kwali which is by Banana Leaf and loved it. Similar to Nanas menu but much cheaper. they have roti cheaper and here is the kick THEY TOLD ME TO BUY MY 'PRATA' (that is what the package says) AT OCEAN SUPER MARKET (typical Asian store) IN MILPITAS ON CALAVERAS AND PARK VICTORIA YOU CAN BUY 6 FOR .99 CENTS AND ALL YOU DO IS ADD IT TO A NON STICK PAN AND WARM UNTIL DESIRED TENDERNESS. Thanks! g Wed Oct 03 16:56:35 -0700 2007 2696498 132018 glorente 2 3002195 Hi fellow roti loving hounds. That is a kick! When you find out the brand, please do tell us! Then we can find it, hopefully, closer to our homes. Wed Oct 03 18:56:45 -0700 2007 3001828 10025 elise h 3 3004109 Nah, packaged is never as good as freshly made in front of your eyes with fresh ingredients. I will pass!!! Thu Oct 04 10:17:58 -0700 2007 3002195 24544 rdabke 4 3004660 That's true. But since most of the roti offered in our local restaurants is frozen and not fresh, I'd rather buy them from the market to prepare at home. Would love to hear other brand recs. Thu Oct 04 12:00:18 -0700 2007 3004109 10039 Melanie Wong 5 3004962 Banana Leaf, Banana garden all make it fresh...right in front of your eyes. Other places may be making it from frozen & they deserve fewer customers! No store brough brands here! Thu Oct 04 13:03:17 -0700 2007 3004660 24544 rdabke 1 3052932 Yellow Ginger in Mountain View (previously Baba Neo) has more-than-one-layer Roti Canai. Not sure if it is made in the restaurant, but it is more decent than other restaurants I have tried. Food at Yellow Ginger is good, but the hawker food is not so authentic. I would give it a second chance though. I made some from Roti Canai fresh frozen dough (as suppose to cooked frozen) bought from Burmese home business in Daly City. They also sell Murtabak. Quite decent. If there's interest, I can post the info I have. Sat Oct 20 17:22:09 -0700 2007 2696498 41247 tcube 2 3052992 Pleas share and post! Sat Oct 20 17:55:42 -0700 2007 3052932 10025 elise h 2 3054609 Yes, there's lots of interest!! Sun Oct 21 16:03:50 -0700 2007 3052932 13401 jmarek 2 3057087 Pls post info, can't wait to try their Murtabak! Mon Oct 22 14:07:16 -0700 2007 3052932 24544 rdabke 3 3147088 Hi, I am sorry for the late response. Not a frequenter of Chowhound. Here is the information. Please call before you go. If you can speak Cantonese, that will make the interaction better :) Enjoy! Than-Than Whin 6507562832 180 Willits Daly City, CA Wed Nov 21 20:44:44 -0800 2007 3057087 41247 tcube 1 3741361 I realize this is an old post, but I thought the east bay was sorely under-represented. OK, the best roti prata I ever had was at an Indonesian place on Geary (across from the bridge theater, if anyone remembers the place, it's not there anymore). It was thick, flaky, sweet and came with a sauce that was a like a curry/stew. It was a hugely filling meal. I recently tried the roti prata at Kopiti'am in Lafayette and I have to say, this Singaporean restaurant's version was very different from the Indonesian version, but delicious. It was more like an appetizer or side dish. Flat, not thick, but very flaky and nicely sweet and very delicious. the sauce was thinner and spicier, but delicious as well. They also had roti with peanut butter and other things so it would be more of a snack/dessert. Here's a link to another chowhound discussion about the place http://www.chowhound.com/topics/423588 Mon Jun 02 09:08:55 -0700 2008 2696498 12500 redheadsara 2 3743298 Funny, I was just thinking about this thread :) I had my best roti prata (or balada, in Burmese) in the Bay Area yesterday at Mingalaba in Burlingame - they don't make it in house, but it had the crisp on the outer layers, chewy/tender/flaky on the inner layers texture of the hand made paratha I had from street vendors in Madurai. It came with both a coconut curry sauce, and a potato curry. Significantly better than the same dish at its sister restaurant, Mandalay, in SF. While I found Kopitiam's roti prata a little too insubstantial and chip-like, their sauce is the best I've ever tasted - darker than most, with what I thought were peanut and chocolate undertones. Sounds weird, tasted great. Mon Jun 02 18:20:43 -0700 2008 3741361 44059 daveena 1 3743838 Another place with roti is Broadway Bistro in Millbrae. Served with curry sauce as well. Mon Jun 02 22:05:17 -0700 2008 2696498 15457 peppatty