Damansara, One of SF's Few Malaysian Restaurants, Closes

The Noe Valley restaurant known for its laksa and curry puffs shifts to private events and catering.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:19pm by Ben Kaplan

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Damansara, one of San Francisco's few Malaysian restaurants, has closed its doors for dine-in service. The Noe Valley restaurant, which was named one of the Bay Area's Top 100 Restaurants in 2025, announced in December that it would shift to a takeout-only model in 2026 due to rising food costs. However, owner Tracy Goh has now pivoted again, stating that she is 'much happier cooking for clients who would give me full creative freedom' as a private chef.

Why it matters

The closure of Damansara deals a blow to the Bay Area's already limited Malaysian restaurant scene, as it was one of only two notable Malaysian eateries in San Francisco. The shift to a private chef model also highlights the challenges that small, independent restaurants face in the current economic climate, where rising costs and changing consumer habits are forcing some to rethink their business models.

The details

Damansara opened in 2022 and was known for its authentic Malaysian dishes like laksa, curry puffs, and Dungeness crab in various sauces. Owner Tracy Goh, who arrived in San Francisco in 2012, had previously operated the restaurant out of a popup in her apartment before expanding with the help of the La Cocina food entrepreneurship nonprofit. However, the restaurant was forced to pivot to a takeout-only model late last year, with meals costing less than $19, in an effort to lower operational costs and serve more affordable meals.

  • Damansara opened in 2022.
  • In 2025, Damansara was named one of the Bay Area's Top 100 Restaurants.
  • In December 2025, Damansara announced it would close its dine-in service and shift to a takeout-only model in 2026.
  • In March 2026, Damansara confirmed it has now closed and the owner is pivoting to a private chef model.

The players

Damansara

One of San Francisco's few Malaysian restaurants, known for its authentic dishes like laksa, curry puffs, and Dungeness crab.

Tracy Goh

The owner of Damansara, who arrived in San Francisco in 2012 and began hosting popup dinners out of her apartment before expanding the business with the help of the La Cocina food entrepreneurship nonprofit.

Azalina's

The other notable Malaysian restaurant still operating in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“'Disheartening' would be the mildest way to describe my experience as a grassroots SF restaurant owner in the 2020s.”

— Tracy Goh, Owner, Damansara

“As a private chef now I am much happier cooking for clients who would give me full creative freedom to cook true Malaysian flavors the way I'd cook for my loved ones.”

— Tracy Goh, Owner, Damansara

The takeaway

The closure of Damansara, one of San Francisco's few Malaysian restaurants, highlights the ongoing challenges facing small, independent eateries in the city as they navigate rising costs and changing consumer habits. While the owner is pivoting to a private chef model, the loss of this unique culinary destination is a blow to the Bay Area's diverse food scene.