The pandemic has been rough on many small businesses. For Azalina Eusope, it has been no different. As one of the most celebrated Malaysian chefs in the Bay Area, she tried to keep her two restaurants — Mahila and Azalina’s Malaysian — open for as long as possible. Ultimately, the worsening economic situation got the better of her.
But now, Eusope is all set to return as she is opening up a new restaurant called Azalina’s on 499 Ellis St. in the Tenderloin. Serving many of their famous Malaysian dishes including Hokkien mee, coconut-filled sweet potato dumplings, and rice hoppers, the new restaurant is designed like a walk in the outdoors of Penang — Eusope’s native island.
Interestingly, the roots of the new Azalina’s go all the way back to 2017. “We signed a lease for 499 Ellis in 2017 and were planning to open in 2020. Initially, it was a plan for a Kopitiam with a Chinese coffee shop,” said Eusope.
After Covid, Eusope was unsure if she wanted to stay in the restaurant business but her goal to honor her family legacy and their long journey with food overtook every other emotion. After taking a year’s break, she came back with the new Azalina’s which is currently set to open up by October in Tenderloin.
“Tenderloin is known as the containment zone among locals, city officials and the entire nation but in reality, Tenderloin has vibrancy, diversity and color that is incomparable to any other San Francisco neighborhood,” said Eusope.
The new restaurant will create an intimate dining experience, serving Malaysian foods that are not very popular and where each dish is served with a drink. The return of Azalina’s serves as the symbol of perseverance and the love for food that Eusope’s family has been nurturing for generations.
