The operators of a famous Malaysian restaurant in Melbourne are being taken to court for allegedly underpaying workers almost $90,000 and falsifying records to disguise dodgy payments while under investigation.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against the owners of the popular Mamak restaurants, alleging employees were paid as little as $11 an hour - half the legal rate for adult hospitality workers.

Mamak Malaysian restaurant in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Credit:Penny Stephens

Between February 2012 and April 2015, Mamak Pty Ltd allegedly short-changed six foreign workers a total of $87,349 at one of its two Sydney restaurants. Two of the workers were allegedly denied more than $20,000 each.

According to Fair Work, its inspectors were also allegedly given false records that made it look like higher rates were paid to one worker when this was not the case.