Swinging Bowl Satay

Plate was full of gluggy, sticky rice and one drumstick. No point complaining real language problem. Tables were covered in plastic, shop was hot. Not sure what people raved about. The chicken was dry and no sauce in sight.

Oh how I love you Swinging Bowl! This place is great for poor uni students who are looking for a delicious, nourishing meal between classes. They say this place has the most authentic hawker-​style Malay food and while I don’t know much about Malay food but from my past experiences I can vouch that the food here is beautiful, fragrant and absolutely delicious.
But its other main selling point is how very inexpensive it is and if you are a student you simply flash your student ID and you can get a discount! I usually choose the nasi biriyani rice and I get a choice of two meats and two veggies for under $ 10. I really love the sambal eggs and the tender squid. They will also ask if you want ‘gravy’ on your dish. I don’t know what exactly it is but it’s just a really nice, fragrant sauce to bring all the components on your dish together.
Don’t expect anything absolutely fancy though because all the food is in a bain-​marie and is the equivalent to what you would see in the food court, the furniture is cheap and not the most comfortable to sit on whilst eating, and I do question how clean the place is nevertheless you come here for the cheap, delicious authentic Malay food. I wish they opened during dinner time though!

I learned something through my long food hunting history— if you want the food to be truly authentic and delicious, you have to trade with some sacrifices. Just like in swinging bowl.
I can tell it is authentic by looking their elusive menu— they have 4 choices just for rice! I almost asked every name that attracted me what they are: Beriyani rice is lemoned rice; Nasi Lemak is coconut milk rice; Teh Ice is iced milk tea and Bandung is rose water with milk… Tiring… But I’m willing to go twists and turns for good food. Plus their customers are mostly Malaysian as I observed.
And the food is good! The size is filling too.
Sambal egg is like fried a whole egg with symbolic Sambal sauce; veggie curry has a hint of spicy; Fried squid is not tough or chewy but very tender, nice! And the best I had was the sweet chili chicken, the sauce is very appetizing; Ohh remember don’t skip the curry gravy when ordering— they are free, and will bring flavors to your steam rice. They also have weekly special set in case you’re overwhelmed by the menu.
Umm, long enough, but I think I mentioned some sacrifices above— yes, this place is comparatively untidy, cutlery and cups here don’t look very clean. And I have to keep waving to repel those bugs while eating, plus killed one beside my rice… Don’t look up when u eat, you’ll only find more bugs and get your appetite totally ruined. But all of these are in a tolerable range.
So, I would say 3 star.

Traditional Malaysian food in the city is what you get here.
And a different way to purchase it.
There’s a large selection of ready made items that you get to choose from. Choices ranging from Rendang (SO GOOD), spicy chicken, sambal eggs and vegetables (no pork, it’s Halal).
On a plate of rice you get to pick a handful of the toppings and each costing 2.50 and up, and you need to get 2 to 3 for a feed.

Swinging Bowl is a little eatery set up with a bain marie, so you can mix-​and-​match your malaysian feast. Pricing varies by main ingredient (beef, chicken etc) and student discount is offered. The food is always delicious, too.

Oh Swinging bowl. Second time I’ve been here. You know there’s places that state that they sell spicy food and it doesn’t taste spicy, and then there’s places that just go out and cook it spicy. Swinging bowl. Your place to stake out if hot and spicy is your first love. Almost all meat dishes are either curry, rendang or some kinda of malay spice.
The price however, is ‘sweet’. I meant, you can pick and choose your own meat dishes and get charge accordingly, so a meal that’s under $ 7 is not out of the question! Now that’s SWEET.
Come on down. I;m fast becoming a fan.

awesome Beef Rendang, best Malaysian.

Any Malaysian would agree this is the best, most authentic Malay food you’ll find in Adelaide. Casual environment, unpretentious. Affordable meals even for students.