Chinta Ria Soul - Glen Eira

An unassuming Malaysian restaurant on Acland st whose name means Joyful Love and which provides a truly joyful culinary experience. We ate outside for lunch on Australia Day and split two vegetarian dishes, both of which I highly recommend. Kelantan tofu came in a super flavorful curry heavy on the lemon grass and veggies like napa cabbage, zucchini, some others. The Kelantan process results in a really silky tofu that is very absorbent, so you got the curry sauce combining with the tofu with each bite. SO good! You must order the roti which was possibly the best we 've ever had, and a great way to gather up any remaining sauce. Gado Gado was also delicious, a melange of bean sprouts, steamed cabbage, cucumber and tofu, covered with a spicy peanut sauce. My only note is that they could have fried the tofu to add more flavor (it was cubes raw tofu). There are a lot of other veggie options on the menu and we will be returning for sure.

Service today was good, food came out in a reasonable time and the vibe was authentic... Read between the lines on that one, and you know it's going to be good food.

I stayed in St Kilda for a month, just off Acland Street and walked by this restaurant several times. It doesn't draw you in like some others along the street, but I love Malaysian food and my boyfriend was craving Nasi Goreng so we decided to stop in. We went at about 6pm on a Tuesday and it was packed! There were only 2 open tables. We were surprised to only see a couple of staff running around, but didn't think much of it at first. We placed our order after a little delay, but then it took more than 45 minutes for our food to come. 3 tables that arrived after us were served before us, and my boyfriend watched them attempt to bring what we think was one of our dishes to another table, and when they turned it away, it was taken back to the kitchen, and we were left waiting. It wasn't until I stopped our server and asked about our food that she remembered us, and ran back to the kitchen to get it. In terms of food, it was good, although we did not get the coconut rice we had ordered. I'd give the food alone about 3.5 stars, but the experience overall wasn't great. They were not apologetic about forgetting us at all. Wouldn't go back, and if they're busy, I would probably stay away.

I haven't eaten at a Cinta Ria since my uni days... anyways will keep this one short... Nasi Lemak is good but not the best. But still is one of the better ones I have tried this side of town.. Seafood Laksa I quite liked, seafood fresh and soup base very yum indeed! not too creamy and not salty at all. I could eat another bowl. Kuih Dadar pandan flavoured crepes with some coconut sandy thingies. yes I have no idea! I just eat! haha ... served with ice cream. My first time having this. I like! A little less syrup would be good.

It gets quite busy here as it is so popular, but have no fear as if you cannot get a table try your luck at Chinta Blues just a nice stroll up the other end of Acland street near Fitzroy St. Every time my friends and I come here we cannot go past ordering the roti with satay sauce. With a subtle spice and chunks of peanuts this has to be some to the best satay sauce I have ever had.