Smoked by AI · Glasgow · people

Julie Lin

Chef · Owner / operator · Creator · Broadcaster · Author — Malaysian and Southeast Asian cooking; Glasgow and (since 2024) London; Malaysian-Scottish food identity.

MasterChef series 9 quarter-finalist (2014); founder of Julie's Kopitiam (Shawlands, 2017–2023) and Ga Ga (Partick, 2021), which took a Michelin Bib Gourmand in February 2025; stepped down as head chef and director of Ga Ga in August 2025 to move into TV, broadcast, pop-ups and consultancy; author of Sama Sama (Ebury, May 2025); Food Influencer of the Year, Golden Chopsticks Awards 2024; recurring on BBC One's Saturday Kitchen; appeared in Somebody Feed Phil S7 Scotland with Julia Bryce. Relocated to London in 2024.

Their own reviews and picks.

Their own judgment, in their own words, by the piece it appeared in.

• The Glasgow Wrap, 'Glasgow Food Guide: Where industry insiders go to eat and drink' (Marissa MacWhirter) ↗their pick · 2024-07-28
  • Beirut StarGovanhill

    “Beirut Star sits quietly on Paisley Road West and serves some of the most delicious food, it's unbelievable.”

  • Cafe Strange BrewShawlands

    “My number one cafe has to be my friend Laurie Macmillan's Cafe Strange Brew. She started up this amazing brunch scene that now exists in the Southside of the city and it's remained brilliant ever since.”

  • Crabshakk (Finnieston)Finnieston

    “Number two is Crabshakk, both of them. They are a staple of Glasgow's food scene. That scallops with anchovy butter and sage dish is genius. It's always somewhere you can go for a fancy meal out and it's nice that you've got somewhere that celebrates local produce. It's had the same dishes on the menu for years and that's because they're so good. I think if a restaurant can rely on its staples and keep them on the menu for years to come, it knows exactly what it's doing.”

  • Crabshakk BotanicsHillhead

    “My secret place to go for late-night cocktails is Crabshakk Botanics. I like popping in there at about 10 o'clock to get a wee nightcap on the way home. They do a good Midori sour, it's delicious - love it.”

  • Ranjit's KitchenStrathbungo

    “Ranjit's Kitchen is my local pick. I cherish places that thrive on home-cooked foods. You can feel the passion, love, and how knowledgeable the chefs are about the spices that go into the dishes. It's been open for years now and is still such a cornerstone of the Southside food scene. It has the soul of a thousand people cooking in the kitchen but there are just a few brilliant ladies in there making some of the most delicious food I've ever had.”

  • The BelleHillhead

    “The Belle on Great Western Road is another staple. It's beautifully done inside and really, really nice.”

  • West Side TavernPartick

    “I also love West Side Tavern for their cocktails - the Paloma on tap is top-notch.”