Ga Ga
££
Key
- (£) budget friendly
- (££) mid-range
- (£££) high-end eateries
– Vegan friendly.
What’s it all about?
A Malaysian–influenced restaurant with colourful sharing plates, delicious cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Taste the Place - don’t miss:
Popular staples include Nasi Goreng, a flavorful fried rice dish topped with a fried egg, and crispy Prawn Toast paired with chili oil and Japanese mayonnaise.
What's the inspiration behind Ga Ga?
For proud Glaswegian Julie, cooking was always a big part of her childhood. Food plays a huge part in Malaysian culture, representing friendship, social relationships, and diversity, so it was no surprise that she put this passion into a career in hospitality.
After learning the ropes in some of Glasgow’s professional kitchens, Julie’s dream was to start her own venture, as a way to showcase the flavours of Malaysia and share them with others. After setting up a street food stall in the city centre, she scraped together enough savings to open her first permanent bricks-and-mortar shop, Julie’s Kopitiam. The Malaysian-inspired menu quickly drew praise from diners and critics, leading to a residency at SWG3.
It was this opportunity that provided the inspiration to co-found Ga Ga in 2021, with Marc Ferrier, owner of nearby pub, The Thornwood. Here, you can try a range of Southeast Asian dishes through sharing plates, many of which have offered immigrants to Glasgow a taste of home while connecting them to the local community and Scottish culture.
What role does Ga Ga play in creating a sense of community and belonging?
Recognising the value of education, Julie is a strong advocate for inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals. Ga Ga works in partnership with local schools and has recently introduced a national mentoring programme that offers hands on experience.
Julie also believes in investing time supporting outreach work of community-based organisations, such as Refuweegee – an initiative that gives people a way to welcome and embrace those arriving in the city.
Fun fact – did you know?
Julie started her culinary journey in 2014 when she appeared, aged just 22, on MasterChef, reaching the quarterfinals. For those keen to embrace Southeast Asian and Malaysian cooking, keep your eyes peeled for her first recipe book SAMA SAMA, due to launch Spring 2025.
Where to find them:
566 Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow G11 6RH