This Singaporean street food inspired restaurant was once a privileged secret, but has now become famous throughout Montreal and social media for its delicious dishes.  The owners, brothers Alex and Mat Winnicki, are local celebrities, and can always be found in one of their locations.  Its humble beginnings as a stall at the Atwater Market grew into a small unmarked restaurant on St. Jacques, but as more and more people started finding out about its tasty offerings, they've moved to a bigger location now on Notre Dame West. 

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Whether you choose to go to their stall at the Atwater Market, or to their restaurant, the taste and quality of food is consistent.  On a hot summer day, it's not uncommon to see lineups of people at their stall, while other nearby stalls have hardly any customers.  

 

While there are many menu items to choose from, there are some dishes are quintessential Satay Brothers and must be ordered :

• steamed pork buns

• laksa lemak soup

• green papaya salad 

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The steamed pork buns come in a basket of two, and are warm, steamed flour buns that wrap around a juicy, moist piece of pork belly that has been marinated in sweet hoisin sauce.  For vegetarians, they offer marinated tofu as a replacement.  Crispy thin slices of cucumber and fresh cilantro make this dish a MUST HAVE when you come to Satay Brothers.  

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The laksa lemak soup has become a legend, and is another MUST HAVE.  It will keep you coming back for more. Mention it to anyone who has been to this restaurant, and you'll see a smile on their face as they reminisce on the flavors.  It is a warm, comforting stock made with lemongrass, galangal, chilies, and coconut milk.  Plenty of fresh and filling toppings are piled into the bowl : shrimp, chicken strips, bean sprouts, a hard-boiled egg, and thick rice noodles.  All these ingredients, plus a spoonful of spicy shrimp paste, make this a satisfying meal.  The soup will warm your soul, and is especially enjoyable during cold Montreal winters.  

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The papaya salad is a delicious accompaniment to the spiciness and richness of the laksa lemay, or the meatiness of the steamed pork buns.  Its shavings of crisp green papaya, marinated in a sweet garlicky fish sauce,  adds a textural dimension to your meal. 

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Worth mentioning are the beef and chicken satays, and meegoreng noodles.  The generous serving of skewers are accompanied by cucumber chunks and a nice peanut sauce, and can be a nice light lunch, or go perfectly with a beer as an appetizer.  The meegoreng is a tasty egg noodle dish with sauteed shrimps and cuttlefish, that offers a filling meal as you cool off your mouth.

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For dessert, there is the Kueh Salat.  This is a steamed dessert that's made with pandan, coconut cream, and sticky rice.  The pandan leaf lends a delicate flavor to the dessert, that is similar to vanilla but has a grassy dimension.  The combination of the sweet pandan flavored top layer with the chewiness of the sticky rice on the bottom make this a truly unique Asian dish.   

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This is definitely one of our favorite restaurants in Montreal.   It's a great trendy spot for lunch or dinner.  

 

Give this place a try.  You WILL have cravings for this place.   

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