Hawkers expands menu with Malaysian Nasi Lemak, slow-braised meats, and novel cocktails

Nasi Lemak is presented as a composed plate: coconut rice, spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, a soft-boiled egg and cucumber. The copy highlights contrasts—creamy and crunchy, savory and spicy—as the reason the dish changes by bite and can be hard to find done well in the U.S.

Savory mains emphasize slow cooking and spice layering. Examples named in the release:

• Lamb Rendang: slow-braised spiced lamb served with pickled vegetables and toasted coconut, called a natural pairing with Nasi Lemak.
• Bò Tái Chanh: thinly sliced, seared steak dressed with barrel-aged fish sauce and fresh greens.
• Spiced Lamb Udon: udon noodles combined with lamb, chili crisp, sesame and fresh herbs.

The drink list mixes Asian flavor references and theatrical presentation:

• Pho Two, Please: a pho-inspired cocktail designed for two, made with Roku gin, RumHaven, a pho simple syrup, passion fruit and fresh herbs. Fish sauce is used as a savory balancing note, and the cocktail is customizable.
• Put a Wing on It: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon with Grand Marnier and gochujang hot honey, served with a Korean twice-fried wing garnish.
• Coco Kopi: iced Vietnamese coffee with coconut miso, milk and black sesame whipped cream.
• Orange Sunburst: a spirit-free option that includes Fanta Creamsicle, popping boba and whipped cream.

Hawkers was founded by four friends—Kaleb Harrell, Allen Lo, Wayne Yung and Kin Ho—and opened its first location in Orlando in 2011. The chain operates in multiple states across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. and earned a Michelin Guide Recommendation in 2022. The release frames the menu update as part of the brand's ongoing effort to introduce hand-picked street foods and bring accessible, shareable plates to guests.

The menu leans into dishes that reward sharing and tasting: composed plates with textural contrast, slow-braised proteins built for cooler weather, and drinks that blur sweet and savory boundaries. Patrons looking for a familiar dish done authentically in the U.S. will find Nasi Lemak highlighted as a centerpiece, while those wanting bolder bar program experiments have options that pair unconventional garnishes and savory components.

To try the new items or check local availability, visit EatHawkers.com or Hawkers' Instagram and Facebook pages listed in the release.