Hey everyone! Aaron and I decided to check out a Malaysian spot in Lincoln Park called Kapitan, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint. We swung by after work on a Friday and, lucky us, arrived just in time for Happy Hour—half-priced drinks every Friday. Major win!
Appetizer: Roti with Curry Potato and Chicken
Donna: I’m honestly salivating just thinking about this dish. The seasoning was spot on—the curry had depth and warmth, the chicken was incredibly tender, and the potato just melted in your mouth. And let’s talk about that roti—buttery, slightly flaky, and the perfect vehicle for scooping up all that curry goodness. We’re already planning a return visit just for this. Solid 10/10.
Aaron: I didn’t know what to expect when this came out, from the looks of it, it appears very simple. However, this is probably to tastiest dish I’ve ever had, so far. The potato curry just feels cozy and the roti just knocks it out of the park. I was stuck thinking about this dish for a while and will definitely be back to have that. I’m even satisfied if only eat that. 10/10
Main Course: Malaysia’s National Dish – Nasi Lemak
For our entrées, we both went with the famous Nasi Lemak, often referred to as Malaysia’s national dish. It’s a fragrant coconut rice made with coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with a spread of flavorful sides—spicy sambal (chili paste), crispy fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, fresh cucumber slices, and a hard-boiled egg.
Nasi Lemak with Sambal Shrimp:
Not going to lie—I was excited to try something new but a little nervous about how my taste buds would react to such bold flavors. But from the first bite, I was hooked. The plate was a vibrant mix of colors and textures—sweet, spicy, crunchy, and creamy all at once. The heat from the sambal was perfectly balanced by the cool crispness of the cucumber and the smooth richness of the boiled egg. The roasted peanuts added a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that tied everything together beautifully. It was one of those dishes that kept surprising me in the best way, bite after bite. I would give this an 8/10.
Nasi Lemak with Rendang lamb
Wow, this dish had me feeling like I was in a beautiful field, looking up at the clouds in the sky, I couldn’t stop savoring every bite. At first glance, it might seem like a simple dish with different ingredients, but it’s much more than that. Each flavor lives peacefully on your tastebuds and even the peanuts add a nice crunch and peanut flavor. The lamb was incredibly well-seasoned and tender, almost melting in your mouth. I consider this one of the top three restaurants I’ve visited, and it’s definitely not three. I’ll definitely give it a 9 out of 10. It’s going to be tough to go back without trying all the entrees again!
Dessert: Mango Sticky Rice
Donna: Ya’ll the coconut milk with the rice created this buttery and decadent rice. And pair with the sweet mango with the coconut milk drizzled on top, chef’s kiss. The mango was ripe and sweet but still had a bit a tartness with provided a very good contrast to the other flavors. I would give this dish a 9/10 only because it a little too rich for me. But I honestly order it again.
Aaron: This was my first time trying sticky rice, I never thought about using or having rice as a dessert. This dessert was sweet and very tart when you put these two ingredients in one bite. The rice being sweet as it was surprised me. The tart mango evens the sweetness out and creates this mouth watering combination. Again, this was my first time having sticky rice, so I don’t have anything to compare it to but this was very good. 8/10
Level Up and Chow Down 