Latest opening: Roti King Battersea

What: ​The second permanent restaurant for Malaysian street food brand Roti King, which is the latest operator to join the burgeoning F&B line-up at Battersea Power Station​​. The concept specialises in authentic roti canai - a paratha-like flatbread that is made fresh every day by hand and served with curry. 

Who: ​Chef Sugen Gopal, otherwise known as the Roti King​​. Gopal was born and raised in Ipoh in Malaysia, where his parents’ love of authentic Malaysian cuisine was passed down to him via the family business. The success of the restaurant in Ipoh and his entrepreneurial flair led Sugen to bring his food to a wider audience. After a move to the UK, Sugen created the first iteration of Roti King at Oriental City (now Bang Bang Oriental) in Colindale. After the site was shut by developers, Sugen took the opportunity to open his own restaurant in Euston in 2014. Since then the chef has been focusing on the growth of his grab-and-go offshoot, Gopal's Corner, which has branches in Market Halls Victoria, Oxford Street, and Canary Wharf.

The food: ​The menu features all the much loved Roti King favourites alongside a host of new dishes developed by Gopal, who has focused on offering more vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. They include a vegan take on the roti canai with dhal, which will be a permanent to the Battersea restaurant. The menu is broken down into six sections: roti canai, murtabak (filled roti), rice dishes, noodle dishes, sides, and desserts. As with the group's other venues, prices across the board are very approachable, with the most expensive dish being the kari laksa, which comes in at £9.25. Signature plates include the mee goreng, stir-fried egg noodles with chicken, pawns and tofu; nasi lemak, a combination of steamed coconut rice with peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber, egg, sambal and spiced fried chicken; and the beef rendang.

The drink:​ Southeast Asian beers by the bottle alongside canned wines make up the simple alcohol range, with a range of teas, including a Malaysian pull tea with condensed milk that can be served hot or cold, and soft drinks also available. 

The vibe: ​While the restaurant primarily features an industrial, stripped back aesthetic, there are notable creative flourishes, not least the huge Roti King crown encrusted with diamonds that hangs in the centre of the dining room. The space is notably larger than the Euston restaurant, with significant outdoor seating available alongside those inside. As well as the main entrance, there is also a dedicated door for those collecting takeaway or delivery orders.

And another thing: ​While the original Euston restaurant accepts no bookings, with guests often having to queue 45 minutes for a table, Roti King Battersea will allow guests to book; although half the seating will be left for walk-ins.

Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station SW11 8AH​
rotiking.co.uk​​