Masakan Seattle: Pop-up Serving Authentic Malaysian Fare
Contributor: Gigih Satya
March 22, 2022
We all know how negatively impacted the restaurant industry was for the past couple of years, especially brick-and-mortar. Dining-in, the main attraction for most restaurants and cafes, was prohibited all across the globe due to the pandemic. While we can talk forever about the negatives that COVID-19 brought us, we'd rather talk forever about the positives that it has brought us:pop-ups.
Today, looking at the thriving Seattle pop-up scene reminded me how resilient people can be and how we can always find the light at the end of the tunnel. Earlier this week we got the chance to talk to Safira Ezani, who with her mother, runs the Masakan food pop-up specializing in rarely available dishes from Malaysia. Growing up in the United States, Safira noticed the lack of Malaysian community and cultural representation, noting that "unlike other Asian immigrant communities, most Malaysians end up coming back to their home country." There are less than five Malaysian restaurants in Seattle, which is why this sentiment also resonated with other Southeast Asians. When they started Masakan a few years ago, Safira and her mom found that many of their Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian customers were so happy to have more "food from home."
Since their first pop-up in October 2020, Masakan has had many pop-ups around the city in places such as The Station in Beacon Hill and at our favorite Distant Worlds Coffeehouse in the Roosevelt area. "Local businesses are very welcoming to pop-ups and I feel a sense of community not competition." Quoting Rebecca of Distant Worlds Coffeehouse. While having a brick-and-mortar is on the horizon for Safira and her mom, they are not rushing to it. Safira noted that “the main goal is that we want to create these pockets like Little Saigon, Chinatown, and ultimately a safe space where we can connect with Malaysians, Singaporeans, and Indonesians." MasakanSeattle
Serving the classics like Rendang, Nasi Lemak, and pandan desserts, Masakan is excited to be a part of 2022 Seattle Restaurant Week in April to share their dishes with a bigger audience. Find more of their events by following them on Instagram at .
March 22, 2022
We all know how negatively impacted the restaurant industry was for the past couple of years, especially brick-and-mortar. Dining-in, the main attraction for most restaurants and cafes, was prohibited all across the globe due to the pandemic. While we can talk forever about the negatives that COVID-19 brought us, we'd rather talk forever about the positives that it has brought us:pop-ups.
Today, looking at the thriving Seattle pop-up scene reminded me how resilient people can be and how we can always find the light at the end of the tunnel. Earlier this week we got the chance to talk to Safira Ezani, who with her mother, runs the Masakan food pop-up specializing in rarely available dishes from Malaysia. Growing up in the United States, Safira noticed the lack of Malaysian community and cultural representation, noting that "unlike other Asian immigrant communities, most Malaysians end up coming back to their home country." There are less than five Malaysian restaurants in Seattle, which is why this sentiment also resonated with other Southeast Asians. When they started Masakan a few years ago, Safira and her mom found that many of their Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian customers were so happy to have more "food from home."
Since their first pop-up in October 2020, Masakan has had many pop-ups around the city in places such as The Station in Beacon Hill and at our favorite Distant Worlds Coffeehouse in the Roosevelt area. "Local businesses are very welcoming to pop-ups and I feel a sense of community not competition." Quoting Rebecca of Distant Worlds Coffeehouse. While having a brick-and-mortar is on the horizon for Safira and her mom, they are not rushing to it. Safira noted that “the main goal is that we want to create these pockets like Little Saigon, Chinatown, and ultimately a safe space where we can connect with Malaysians, Singaporeans, and Indonesians." MasakanSeattle
Serving the classics like Rendang, Nasi Lemak, and pandan desserts, Masakan is excited to be a part of 2022 Seattle Restaurant Week in April to share their dishes with a bigger audience. Find more of their events by following them on Instagram at .
Check out more pictures by following us on Instagram: ECCC of Seattle
