Brighton is a city where everyone is always busy. There’s always somewhere to be, people to see and things to do. And if you want to grab something to eat, you don’t always have the time to sit through a long restaurant meal – yet you don’t want to grab a quick burger to-go either. Which is why when we heard Roti King had opened in Brighton, we couldn’t wait to head down for ourselves. The first branch of the super popular Malaysian street food restaurant to open beyond the capital, it brings Roti King’s coveted Malaysian flavours to the city’s thriving independent food scene.
I head down on a balmy summer evening, the kind in Brighton where you can smell the sea air and outside spaces are packed with people making the most of the sun.
Large, floor-to-ceiling windows adorn the whole front of the restaurant, allowing plenty of natural light to flood in. There is bar-style seating at the window, a large shared table in the middle and smaller tables peppered throughout if you want a bit more privacy. A large open kitchen dominates the space, where you can watch roti being hand-stretched and cooked to order and really whet your appetite for what’s to come.
My friend and I sit down at one of the tables at the back – it’s busy for a weeknight, the atmosphere is buzzing and the air fragrant with a myriad of spices and sizzling meat. A mural adorns the wall and the rest of the decor is very industrial with concrete walls, leather chairs and wooden tables. We sip on canned cocktails as we peruse the menu, the steady hum of chatter all around us as people tuck into roti and catch up on their days.
Since launching in Euston, Roti King has built a devoted following for its freshly made roti canai, rich curries and bold Malaysian flavours. The move to Brighton feels like an effortless one, with the city’s rich foodie scene and diverse culture.
Founder and Head Chef Sugen Gopal said of the opening: “Brighton has always had a special place in my heart—there’s an energy to the city that makes it one of my favourite places to eat out in the UK. The Lanes, with its independent spirit and incredible food culture, feels like the perfect home for Roti King outside of London. I can’t wait to share our food with such a passionate and knowledgeable community.”
The menu is varied without being overwhelming, however it’s still difficult to pick between the dishes on offer as everything sounds utterly delicious. It’s recommended to dine family-style here and they bring the dishes out when they’re ready as opposed to a rigid structure. This means it all comes out piping hot and fresh from the kitchen that’s located just a mere couple of metres away.
The menu is split up into roti, noodles & rice, sides & sharers, drinks and desserts. Each roti canai comes with two pieces of roti served with a choice of kari.
As mentioned, we were sharing our dishes, so we went for the spinach & cheese murtabak, a beef rendang, a nasi goreng with a friend egg, and an ayam goreng berempah which is a Malaysian fried chicken. We definitely ordered a little more than we needed but there were no regrets! Every dish was cooked perfectly, piping hot and packed a punch with flavour. It tasted fresh, portion sizes were just right and the accompanying sides ideal. Prices are super reasonable too, with the murtabak costing £10.50, the beef rendang £12.95 and the nasi goreng £11.50. You can easily eat a proper meal here with a wine or beer and spend less than £20.
Roti King is a much-needed breath of fresh air in Brighton and definitely lives up to the hype of its London counterparts. It’s a place where you can head for a quick bite after a long day in the office, a social meal with friends, or a date night with your other half. It’s relaxing, well-located and you know you’re going to get really, really good food. There’s no fuss and frills, just street-food served as it’s supposed to be, in a setting that draws you in and makes it hard to leave.
You can’t reserve a table at Roti King, so just head on down for yourself and grab a table. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. And if you have to wait? It’s well worth it.
Roti King Brighton
57 Ship St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1AF
