WAU Malaysian restaurant opens in Milan
Milan embraces a new gastronomic culture with the arrival of WAU, which chooses the Navigli district as a meeting point between its Malaysian identity and the liveliness of one of the city's most recognizable areas.
The kitchen begins with rempah, a blend of freshly prepared spice pastes used as the basis for many recipes: turmeric, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, cloves, and star anise are ground and processed to slowly develop aromas and textures. This is a cuisine that takes no shortcuts: lengthy preparation, slow cooking, fresh ingredients, and a careful attention to raw materials reflect a way of cooking where time is integral to the result. This approach naturally draws on the principles of Slow Food culture, through respect for ingredients, careful processing, and a desire to value what comes from the land and the people who work it. At the heart of the WAU experience is the concept of hidang, the traditional Malay way of serving food at the center of the table, so it can be shared. Dishes are brought together, in a way of eating that reflects the domestic dimension of Malay cuisine and the belief that food has the power to bring people together, physically and emotionally. The menu also offers individual dishes, leaving everyone free to find their own way to enjoy the meal.
The menu showcases some of Malaysian cuisine's most iconic dishes. Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah, considered one of the country's signature dishes, combines coconut-scented rice, spiced fried chicken, sambal, egg, cucumber, peanuts, and crispy anchovies. Nasi Kerabu Terung Percik brings the signature naturally blue rice made from butterfly pea flowers to the table, accompanied by crispy vegetables, umami-rich sauces, and grilled eggplant with a creamy coconut sauce. Kari Laksa is a bowl of noodles in a coconut-curry broth, topped with seafood, tofu, and vegetables.
WAU MILANO Via Ascanio Sforza 65, Milan · Reservations T. +39 331 279 4987 Monday closed · Tuesday – Thursday 17:00 / 24:00 · Friday – Saturday 17:00 / 01:00 · Sunday 16:00 / 24:00.