The tradition of eating rice on a banana leaf is originally from Kerala, India, and over the years, the banana leaf rice has become a staple in Malaysia. Many of us like to have this meal because it fills up our starving bellies and it is delicious, of course. Admit it, some of us eat banana leaf rice at least once a week!
This meal is normally served during lunch at many of the restaurants in Malaysia, especially in the Klang Valley. However, the abundance of restaurants has left us spoilt for choice as we struggle to find the best spot(s) to eat the flavourful meal.
To help you out, we’ve pinned down nine of the BEST banana leaf rice restaurants all over Klang Valley so that you don’t have to crack your head to find the best ones anymore! Happy belly, happy life.
1. Vishal Food & Catering @ Brickfields
This place is a blast from the past. Still retaining its traditional setting, Vishal Food & Catering provides authentic Chettinad and South Indian cuisines that will make your tummy beg for more. Second helping, guaranteed!
Source: Trip Advisor
Here’s where you can find the best Chettinad food in Brickfields:
- Address: 22, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
- Opening hours: 7am – 11pm daily
2. Puchong Chettinad Mess @ Puchong
We bet you didn’t know that there would be a banana leaf rice restaurant in Puchong, right? Well, this is one of the few restaurants of its kind in Puchong but we assure you that it’s the best of the best.
Source: The Food Bunny
Save these deets for your next banana leaf rice hunt:
- Address: 11, Jalan Puteri 7/9, Bandar Puteri, 47100, Puchong
- Opening hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm every weekday
3. Southern Spice Banana Leaf Restaurant @ Bukit Bintang
If you think that this restaurant is your regular banana leaf rice restaurant, think again. Situated in Bukit Bintang, this place serves mouth-watering Indian food that’s even more enjoyable when you have it with friends. Seriously, your taste buds will thank us for this.
FYI, you can also enjoy a cup of warm masala tea and some Indian bites after a night out with your friends because this place opens until 5am in the morning. Supper, sorted!
Source: Facebook
Make your way here to satisfy that banana leaf rice craving, even in the wee hours:
- Address: No. 8, Jalan Sahabat, Changkat Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
- Opening hours: 5pm – 5am daily
4. Sri Vinayaga Curry House @ Ampang
Don’t let its cliche “Indian restaurant interior” fool you because the banana leaf rice in this shop is fit for a king. From mutton varuvel to assorted vegetable dishes, you can expect to go home with a satisfied belly after having a hearty meal at Sri Vinayaga.
Source: Facebook
Don’t forget to make a pit stop here the next time you’re around Ampang,! Here’s where to look for them:
- Address: No. 17G, Jalan Wawasan 4/3, Bandar Baru Ampang, 68000 Ampang
- Opening hours: 7am – 10.30pm daily
5. Sri Ganapathi Mess @ PJ Old Town
Sri Ganapathi Mess is a fairly popular place and it definitely deserves a spot on your list of “banana leaf rice restaurants to try” because of its delicious variety of dishes. Even though the prices here are slightly above average, their tasty food will surely make up for it.
Source: Funn Taste
Make sure you try their fried squid when you visit them at:
- Address: 47, Jalan 1/10, Seksyen 1, 46000 Petaling Jaya
- Opening hours: 11am – 4pm daily
6. Moorthy Mathai Restaurant @ Subang Jaya & Sunway
This restaurant has been around for many years and its founder K.O. Mathai hails all the way from Kerala, India (aka the birth home of banana leaf rice). Initially, it was just a stall within a Chinese Kopitiam but now, it has flourished into a standalone restaurant on its own. Today, they have more than one restaurant in the Klang Valley.
If you’re planning to visit them, don’t forget to try their fried mackerel fish; it’s sweet, spicy and zesty, all at the same time!
Source: The Malay Mail
Feeling hungry already? Check them out at the following address and time:
- Address: No. 24 & 26, Jalan USJ 4/9G, Subang Jaya and A26, Ground Floor, Jalan PJU3/38A, Sunway Damansara
- Opening hours: 7am – 9.30pm daily
7. Appu Uncle Curry House @ Damansara Utama
What makes Appu Uncle Curry House special? Well, they have all sorts of exciting promos and appetizing food. Yes, you heard me right!
Just recently, they had their all-you-can-eat banana leaf rice buffet for just RM28 nett* and even a giveaway for free tickets to a popular Tamil show. You should definitely follow their page to be updated with all their promos!
Source: Facebook
Besides that, you can also expect other special dishes like duck peratal and turkey curry on the weekends. If you don’t want to miss their specials, visit them at:
- Address: No. 3, Ground Floor, Jalan SS 22/19, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya
- Opening Hours: 7am – 5pm daily
8. Fierce Curry House @ Bangsar
Like its name, the food here is fierce too!
With an ambience that will remind you of home, Fierce Curry House is definitely worth a visit because its food would definitely satiate your taste buds. Not forgetting, they also serve Hyderabadi Dum Biryani (aka the best type of biryani) and Lobster biryani!
Source: Facebook
Here’s where you should go if you want to taste some of their delish dishes:
- Address: 16 Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar Utama, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
- Opening hours: 12pm – 10.30pm daily
9. Chennai Spice @ Brickfields
After eating at this restaurant, your hands will definitely smell like spice heaven thanks to the fragrant Indian spices that they use to make their food. If you didn’t know, their spices and powders/flours are all imported from India. It’s like eating food from Chennai itself!
Source: Trip Advisor
If you dine here for lunch, don’t forget to try their moru (Indian buttermilk) because it is yummy! Situated right in front of NU Sentral, here’s where you can look for Chennai Spice:
- Address: 78, Jalan Tun Sambatham, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
- Opening hours: 7am – 11pm daily
And that’s our list of best banana leaf rice restaurants in town! Now you know where to head to when you’re craving banana leaf rice for lunch. Confirm you’ll come back for more!
Which of these restaurants will you be visiting soon? Let us know in the comments and tell us if we missed your favourite banana leaf rice spot!
Also read: This Bubble Tea Joint in PJ Serves Chocolate Balls And Makes Their Own Matcha Boba
