Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Malaysian eateries are somewhat thin on the ground in Edinburgh, so it's no wonder this family-run restaurant on the Southside is bustling night after night. Popular with the Malaysian community, Kampong has also proved a hit with local students, thanks to the great-value rice and noodle dishes which – with a hefty bowl coming in at just £6 or so – keep belly and bank manager equally happy. Malaysian cooking has been influenced both by Chinese food and the cuisines of neighbouring countries, so you'll find a familiar smattering of sweet and sour dishes, noodles, fried rice and red curries on the extensive menu. But there's also a number of typically Malaysian specialities, from the coconut rice of nasi lemak to the pancake-and-curry combo of roti cenai. Desserts aren't offered, but instead try one of the pearl milk teas – a favourite across Southeast Asia. These sweet milkshakes come in a rainbow range of flavours from the expected (watermelon, mango) to the outlandish (yam, champagne). They're cheerful, straightforward and satisfying – which could perhaps be said of Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight itself.

• High point: Diverse range of dishes
• Low point: Setting more takeaway than linger-here