Takeout Spotlight: Malka

Malka is the new brick and mortar restaurant, run and developed by head chef Jessie Aron and her business partner Colin McArthur. Jessie and Colin used to operate a very popular food cart, Carte Blanche, and Malka was their dream and vision for the last 3 years before opening.

The team renovated a nondescript little bungalow on SE Division into an otherworldly and totally delightful explosion of blues, textures, lighting, and tchotchkes that individually could look chaotic – but their design looks effortless, cool, and unique. This wonderful mish-mash decor is a mirror to their totally unique food pairings.

Thanks to @malkapdx for the photo!

Malka’s food is downright scrumptious. I always appreciate going out to eat more when there is absolutely no way I could recreate the dish at home – and Malka achieves that so completely and deliciously! Their food is the perfect mix of veggies, flavors, textures, and more. My absolute favorite dish is the “I Have A Lot of Feelings” rice bowl – and trust me all my feelings about this bowl are GREAT. From their menu description: “Rice bowl with Ota tofu in sweet soy and sambal, chickpea fritters, coconut jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables with green curry, panroasted mushrooms, miso-tahini slaw, crispy shallots, peanuts, avocado, herbs, pickled ginger and peppers, sesame, lime” plus their habanero and passion fruit hot sauce… Y U M.  Oh, and get the dessert – trust me on this one!

Malka is open for take-out, practicing social distancing, and doing it all with a smile. Opening a new restaurant just a few weeks before the state shut down has to be a challenge for this team, but they are not only providing takeout – but donating a few meals every week to our valuable essential workers. If you are looking for a new place to try to spice up your quarantine, I could not recommend a delicious meal from Malka more. Check out their menu and hours HERE!