Thank you - to all of you. Thanks to our many, many customers who returned after we closed for over four years. We found out that Washington is not as transient as some may think after all. Thanks to the many neighbors and friends and the local ANC that enabled us to open without going through the cumbersome “voluntary” agreement process. And, most of all, we thank our new customers and friends.

Please visit the bamboo mural in our main dining room. The same artist who painted our wall fifteen years ago painted the new mural. Where there is bamboo, as the poem says, you will eat well and live well. “Live like the bamboo, ever green, with longevity and tranquility.” Notice the farmer on the water buffalo, playing the flute looking at the moon waiting for the return of his love, the “moon lady.” And, of course, notice the playful Pandas.

Don't forget to rub the Happy Buddha's tummy on the way out (or in) so you will have lots of luck. If you wish, drop a few coins into the slot for me to take to elderly citizens of my home town, Kuching, Malaysia. In the Chinese culture, from which I come, children take care of parents. Some parents, however are left alone and forgotten and live in an impoverished home.

We also want to thank the reviewers who have visited the re-opened Straits and said so many kind words about us. One of these, Tom Sietsema of the Washington Post gives the following advice to those of you who are visiting us for the first time:

“New to the game? The servers ask if you are, and if you nod yes, you get a verbal pat on the back. `The food is served family-style and meant to be shared,' your tour guide will inform you. 'It comes out as it is done.' Sure enough, one appetizer might precede another by several minutes and the entrees are staggered, too. `If you have any questions, you can ask any of us,' the staff also reassures guests. `We work as a team.' And that they do, pretty well.” (Washington Post, 2004)

We serve “Straits Cuisine,” the cuisine born in the British "Straits Settlement" colony of Singapore and of coastal cities like Panang and Malaka, whose mixed population included Chinese and Indian settlers along with Malays. The basic cooking style is Chinese, stir-fried fresh in a wok. The ingredients are typical of the region: bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, various gingers (galanga, turmeric, “regular” ginger), lemon grass, jicama and basil. Many spices and sauces hail from Southern India and Sri Lanka (Ceylon), with coconut milk an important part of the curries. Our food is basically spicy, but since all dishes are cooked individually, we can make most more or less spicy.

Welcome back. Please sign our guest book at the entrance if you wish, and we welcome your suggestions. We hope you will enjoy your family style dining experience at the STRAITS OF MALAYA.

Look for the announcement in the near future of our cooking classes and cooking tours to Malaysia and Singapore. If you are interested, please leave your contact information (including your e-mail address) or put it in our guest book.