Dhaka’s food scene has grown fast. A few years ago, most restaurants served Bengali staples or the usual mix of Chinese, Thai, or Indian dishes. Today, you can find flavours from Turkey, France, Mexico—and now, Malaysia.
Mini Malaysia is a new restaurant in Dhanmondi offering rich, authentic Malaysian cuisine. It was founded by Ayesha Hossain Shahnila, the former principal of Oxford International School.
Ayesha has always been passionate about food. Back in 2015, she opened a canteen at her school to give students better, healthier meals.
She later launched her first restaurant, Ohana, in 2019. It focused on seafood and was inspired by her daughter’s time at the University of Hawai‘i.
Mini Malaysia, however, was born from another part of Ayesha’s life. Her son studied in Malaysia, and she spent a lot of time visiting him there. Through those visits, she grew to love the country’s diverse food.
“Many Bangladeshis work in Malaysia,” she explained. “Most can’t afford to bring their families there. I wanted to bring that experience home. Now they can enjoy familiar food with their families right here in Dhaka.”
To bring this vision to life, Ayesha teamed up with Malaysian chef Amreen Hossain. Together, they designed a menu that blends tradition with local taste.
“Our dishes are based on true Malaysian recipes,” said Chef Amreen. “We’ve only made small changes to match local preferences.”
The Buzzlearns team tried three of their top picks.
Nasi Goreng Kampung
Tk 380 | Rating: 8/10
This dish means “village-style fried rice.” It came with chicken satay, fried egg, chips, and a rich peanut sauce. The fried rice had a strong flavour from anchovies imported from Malaysia.
The chicken was soft and well-seasoned, but the peanut sauce was the real winner. It was so good, we dipped almost everything into it. For the price, this dish felt like a complete, satisfying meal.
Nasi Goreng Pattaya
Tk 320 | Rating: 7.5/10
This is fried rice wrapped in a thin omelette. While the name sounds Thai, it’s a Malaysian street food classic.
Here, it was served on its own, just as it is in Malaysia. The rice was packed with chicken and seafood, making it filling but not too heavy. It’s a good option for those who want something mild and comforting.
Cheong Fun
Tk 350 | Rating: 7.5/10
Cheong Fun is a rice noodle roll. It began in Cantonese kitchens but has become a common Malaysian breakfast.
At Mini Malaysia, the soft rice rolls were filled with minced prawns, mushrooms, and fresh greens like papaya and lettuce. The mix of textures—the smooth wrapper and the crunchy filling—made every bite interesting. Light and subtle, it was a refreshing way to end the meal.
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Final Thoughts
Mini Malaysia is more than a restaurant. It’s a place that connects people to culture and memory through food. Whether you’ve lived in Malaysia or are simply curious about its cuisine, this spot offers a warm, welcoming experience.
Restaurant Name: Mini Malaysia
Address: House 133 Rd No 9A, Dhaka 1205
Opening Hours:
Wednesday 3–11 PM
Thursday 3–11 PM
Friday 3–11 PM
Saturday 3–11 PM
Sunday 3–11 PM
Monday 3–11 PM
Tuesday 3–11 PM
Suggest new hours
