A new restaurant, Kelang, has opened in Greenpoint at 715 Manhattan Avenue, combining Malaysian, Caribbean, and Italian cuisines. The establishment is the latest venture by filmmaker-turned-restaurant owner Chris Low, who previously founded Hainan Chicken House in Sunset Park. Kelang’s menu incorporates traditional Malaysian dishes alongside influences from Caribbean and Italian culinary traditions.
According to a report by Eater, Low had not originally planned to become heavily involved in the restaurant industry but became engaged after the success of his family’s first restaurant. The menu at Kelang includes dishes such as Caesar kerabu, which incorporates sambal and toasted coconut into a classic Caesar salad, and a plate of redang oxtail served with Haitian djon djon rice and Malaysian nasi ulam.
Low told Eater that the different cuisines influence Kelang’s menu in various ways, ranging from more prominent to more subtle. Examples of this approach include dishes such as curry puffs and paratha served with dal.
The restaurant’s design draws on Low’s background in film, with a space intended to evoke the atmosphere of a Malaysian film and featuring personal family memorabilia, as reported by Brooklyn Magazine. Low’s family took part in creating the interior, with elements hand-tiled and painted to represent a blend of cultures and memories. He said that he and his sister helped lay the flooring tiles, while their mother assisted with painting the mirror frames, describing the process as nostalgic.
While Kelang is awaiting its liquor license, the restaurant is currently open for dinner and weekend brunch. It is located at 715 Manhattan Avenue and operates Wednesday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Kelang’s menu combines traditional dishes with cross-cultural influences, contributing to New York’s diverse dining scene.
