Beef Rendang Toastie

Today I discovered that Dutch Smuggler has a branch in Haymarket, right across from where I work. It’s a cozy little spot tucked away from plain sight—I probably would’ve missed it if I hadn’t spotted it on Google Maps the day before. (Yes, I always do my homework to make the most of my office days 😂)

I’m a big fan of their Mi Goreng toastie, which I had years ago when I first started this account. It was honestly one of the most memorable toasties I’ve ever had, so the bar was high for this beef rendang version. And you guessed it—the flavour delivered.

As a Thai native, anything with bold Southeast Asian flavours hits me right in the nostalgia. I’m not even sure if I’ve had a proper rendang before, but we definitely have similar dishes back home. This one was rich and spiced just right. The beef was chewy in a satisfying way—not tough—and since this was a dry curry, it wasn’t too messy to eat.

The bread was toasted to golden perfection—buttery, crispy, and held everything together nicely. The cheese was creamy, and I’m a firm believer that curry and cheese is an underrated combo. It just works—rich, melty, and balanced out with that punchy aioli. The slaw was a great addition too, cutting through all the richness and bringing in some fresh crunch.

Mi Goreng toastie probably still holds the top spot for me, but this one’s a very close second. Also—shoutout to the lovely staff. Super friendly, and the place had a great local vibe. I hear they do really good coffee too, but I’d already hit my caffeine limit for the day. Definitely keen to try that next time I’m in the office.