Polydish city guide

Best Malaysian Roti Canai in New York

“The dough is stretched paper-thin and folded before frying — the visible layers when torn open are what separate a skilled hand from a mediocre one.”

Malaysian Roti Canai

What the real thing tastes like

Dough enriched with fat is stretched by hand until nearly translucent, then folded over itself multiple times before being fried on a flat griddle, creating dozens of thin layers that separate into flaky shards when torn. The stretching technique — flipped and slapped in the air by skilled cooks — is itself a visible performance in many stalls.

1,290 voices, one story

Reviewers judge layer separation and flakiness (should shatter into visible strands when torn, not fold like a tortilla) as the top technical marker. Whether it's served with dhal curry or fish curry is a matter of preference, but reviewers consistently expect a proper accompanying curry rather than none at all.

Order it here when it has

  • flaky buttery layers
  • crispy exterior
  • great with curry dip

Walk away when you see

  • can be greasy
  • layers collapse if rushed
  • inconsistent thickness

Restaurant-level rankings for New York land as the Polydish review engine processes this city's reviews. Explore the dish itself while you wait —

Malaysian Roti Canai on Polydish →