Rasa
Where? Rasa (Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand) Map Menu
When? Sunday January 26, 2025
Who? Me
Food Style? Malaysian
Rasa is nestled next to two of Wellington’s most iconic eateries, Argentinian churrascaria El Matador and Wellington staple Logan Brown. Though it’s not as high profile as Little Penang, they have been around for longer and their focus is more on the Indian side of Malaysian cuisine - curries, biriyani, rendang and roti. It’s a Sunday night and I’m not really wanting to spend too much money on food (I know the rest of the week is going to be expensive!) so a sub$20 price for a nasi lemak with lamb rendang is pretty attractive. They’re a short walk - 10 minutes - from my Airbnb, and I’m all for eating as much Malaysian food as I can before I go back to Toronto.
Mains
Nasi lemak: steamed coconut rice served with a boiled egg, peanuts, anchovies, tomato sambal and lamb rendang
I do have to admit I’m a little disappointed with the portion, but the lamb is beautifully soft and tasty. I think my rendang is better - my secret is toasting some desiccated coconut and stirring that in to give it that wonderful fragrance - and I always have a ton of ikan bilis and roasted peanut on the side. Lamb in Canada is primarily from New Zealand so I usually make mine with beef, so I guess it's kind of a treat to have lamb rendang. However, I’m still hungry, but dessert staples Duck Island and Kaffee Eis are not too far away. I do appreciate not having to tip and also not having to wait for the staff to bring over my bill. I can just waltz up to the counter and pay whenever I’m ready. At least there's that? Good job, New Zealand. Please stay that way.
Posted by Jeremy at 5:10pm on Thursday October 23, 2025 :: 0 comments :: 