KUALA LUMPUR (WHAT TO EAT)

June 03, 2016

KUALA LUMPUR (WHAT TO EAT) - BANANA LEAF

KL BANANA LEAF

Not sure if it is uniquely a Malaysian style or Indian perhaps of presenting your food. I love Banana leaf! Make use of what is given by Nature. I remembered having it in Singapore's "Little India", but not all Indian restaurants served it. First, you have got to love Indian food to enjoy your Banana Leaf experience. The different spices from each dish and curries, the heat from certain chilies, not to mention the health benefits you will receive from just the spices itself.

A server will come dress your table with of course a piece of banana leaf, another will come by with basmati rice and the different condiments like spinach, dahl which is lentils, mixed corns and carrots, pumpkins, potatoes etc.. the lists goes on, depending on what is available that day. Then comes your curries sauce, ranging from a lighter fish curry, to strong thicker meat curry. I love the crab curry that Devi's Corner serves. You can order some mains like chicken, beef, mutton, fish curries.

The trick to enjoy your banana leaf experience is to do like the locals, dig in with your hand, meaning using your fingers to mix and blend the curry sauces, rice and vegetables together. Don't worry about getting messy, can always use utensils to eat if you are not comfortable or used to it. The expert will not get curry sauce all over the hand like I did. There are washing area for you to clean your hand.

Enjoy your meal with papadums, they also serve natural yoghurt if it get too spicy for you, it helps to bring the heat down. Order a lassi (Yogurt drink), they are yummy. Do try the deep fried bitter gourd, one of my favorite! You will leave the restaurant a happy customer and craving for more when you return to Malaysia!

DEVI'S CORNER

Banana Leaf from Devi's Corner

My first Banana Leaf experience, Devi's Corner in Bangsar.

Reasonable food pricing. Ask for Indian Rice (Basmati Rice)

Curries Glory and all other sides

Condiments in pots. You can help yourself to them

Main, Chicken

Main, Mutton

Deep Fried Bitter Gourd and Papadums

Server going around with the curry sauces

Ignore the utensils.. I ended up using my hand, never turning back..

LOCATION OF DEVI'S CORNER

14 Jalan Telawi 4, Bangsar Baru,

59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumper, Malaysia

KANNA CURRY HOUSE

Second Banana Leaf restaurant I was taken to. Much bigger restaurant, they don't use the actual banana leaf, but a piece of paper that shaped like one. Dishes were comparable, I had the crab curry which was really fresh, different from your usual chill crab you get in Singapore. Goes very well with the rice.

Like waitresses going round with Tim Sum.
Server went round to see if you like their fried meats.

Pots of Gold

Crab Curry

Banana Leaf from Kanna Curry House

Bill for 2 persons

LOCATION OF KANNA CURRY HOUSE

No 29, Jalan 17/45

46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

ANNAPUURNAM CHETINAD RESTAURANT

The 3rd Banana Leaf place which I dined at. Another restaurant in the neighborhood. You could also ask for a plate of rice and self help with the dishes, and fill up the plate with what you like, the cashier will charge according. I guess it is a cheaper meal option.

The curries that they served weren't that thick as I like. I only dressed my rice with meat curry. Their Chicken Varuval is so darn tasty, I can just eat plain rice with the sauce, deep fried bitter gourd served is much fresher compared to other banana leaf restaurants. Another great option for Banana Leaf.

Price list of the food

Indian Snacks

More Indian Snacks

Wrapped up rice, Meat and Vegetarian Selections

Banana Leaf from Annapuurnam Chetinad

Curries

More generous cuts of Bitter Gourd

Chicken Varuval, wonderful flavor

Meal on our 2nd Trip

Deep Fried Bitter Gourd and Onion

Mutton Curry, soft and tender

LOCATION OF ANNAPUURNAM CHETINAD RESTAURANT

No 74, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar,

59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

SRI GANAPATHI MESS

Deep Fried Squid. Must order!

Located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor or also known as PJ. This joint is located in residential area and you will missed it if not look carefully. We had to park a distance away as surrounding was all filled up with cars. It seems like a house converted and don't look much. You will see their cooking station as you entered the premises. There was a dining hall and several dining rooms and we were direct right to the inner dining room for seats as it was full house.

I always like it when actual banana leaf was used as a "serving ware". Their basic sides are cucumbers, spinach like vegetable, pickles and pappadams. Every banana leaf restaurant has their signature dishes and I liked their deep-fried squid and banana chips. I would highly recommend their deep-fried squid! It was done just nice and tender, it was well seasoned and cooked with spices, red onion and curry leaves.

Their deep fried bitter gourd wasn't the best that I have tried, but their Crab Rasam is equally tasty! I am not sure how it should be enjoyed as I seen Indians pouring it on to their rice and mixed to eat. I preferred drinking it from the cup, it was hot, delicious, tasted of spices unlike some that's rather diluted. I enjoyed their thick lamb curry, definitely worth a 2nd visit.

Entrance to Sri Ganapathi Mess

Cooking Station

Assorted Meat and Seafood

Deep Fried Bitter Gourd and Banana Chips

Containers of Curry Sauces and Sides

Banana Leaf from Sri Ganapathi Mess

Lunch on a 2nd trip, see the thick meat curry, yum..

Crab Rasam, the best I tasted so far!

Beautiful Palette

LOCATION OF SRI GANAPATHI MESS

47, Jalan 1/10, PJ Old Town,

46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

RESTORAN SRI NIRWANA MAJU

Situated in Bangsar close to Devi's Corner, my husband told me that this restaurant serves the best deep fried bitter gourd amongst all the banana leaf stalls, and I have to try it! Busy on a Sunday afternoon, we had to wait up to 20 minutes to get a table.

Although they don't offer as much sides like other stalls, we were served long beans and cucumber salad, tamarind rasam, dried chilli and of course papadum, their deep fried bitter gourd made up for it. It was crispy on bite and seasoned just right, it should be coated with a blend of spices and deep fried, indeed their signature dish.

I had my rice drizzled with a blend of chicken and fish curries, also ordered a mutton curry as a main. I personally like thick creamy curry sauce and Nirwana Maju banana leaf isn't the best in town. I would prefer Devi's Corner over this, unless I am craving for their signature bitter gourd.