It’s always been a tough industry to begin with, but since March 2020, it has been utter chaos for restaurants and food businesses.
While many individuals are dealing with packing up desks and setting up rudimentary workstations at their dining tables, restaurateurs can only switch off the stoves and stare at the vacant tables in their establishments. And the only math they’re doing is figuring out how to pay employees and suppliers with little to no money coming in.
We have lost track of how many restaurants have closed their doors, whether for a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or permanently. Some people can only stop, pivot and repeat so many times before succumbing to the pandemic exhaustion. The recurrent dance with this lethal virus has shattered aspirations and livelihoods, as well as businesses.
However, as we are in the eighth month of the year, it appears that things aren’t moving forward much and that many of us are yearning to be part of the re-emerging dining crowd.
Nonetheless, one can only hope.
As a result, our resident foodie has compiled a list of our favourite Indian restaurants to pay tribute to as one of the world’s most cherished cuisines.
Mollagaa
So at Mollagaa, for example, offers a variety of South Indian dishes: Banana Leaf Rice, Briyani, Karaikudi Fish Varuval, Fish 65, Black Pepper Tossed Chicken Lollipops and more. The restaurant’s popular tagline ‘Namma Ooru Style’ that translates to ‘our village-style flavours’ tends to be self-explanatory once you’ve tried their dishes. This is one place that you spice-lovers would enjoy going to, hence the name — Mollagaa (chilli).
Address: 50A, Lebuh Ampang 50100 Kuala Lumpur
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Asian Rice Pot
A spice haven whereby the menu narrows in on the southern region of India with a plethora of dishes prepared and stored in clay pots that give out the cuisine’s distinct flavours. The menu lets you choose your own culinary journey as it is presented in a buffet spread throughout lunch and dinner.
Climate, topography and agriculture, as well as centuries of trade, all have an influence on Southern Indian food. Hence why the food over at this friendly, neighbourhood restaurant centres around coconut, fresh chilli, curry leaves and rice-based dishes.
Their main speciality is rice or thosais and idlis eaten with their infamous Kashmir Mutton or Chicken, on the side.
Address: 11, Jalan SS5A/11 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Aunty Manju’s
As it is the go-to Indian restaurant for those who reside in TTDI, others from other areas tend to travel far just to enjoy their infamous Mutton Bone Marrow Curry too. Presented in four portions, this divine dish is each cooked to the point where the meat practically slides off the bones. Aside from that, if you haven’t already, we urge you to try their Fish Curry and Fried Chicken specialities. Make sure to wash it all down with a nice, hot cup of Masala Tea or Bru Coffee.
Address: 18, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶
Acha’s Curry House
Prior to the pandemic, the restaurant was known for being extremely busy during peak hours, to the point that you would have to wait for a seat or share a table with other patrons. This is the place that offers plenty of solaces when the craving strikes. It is recommended that you try their Crab Curry, Salted Fish Curry, and Onion Curry to obtain that oomph flavour. However, if you’re a frequent Banana Leaf eater, you’d know to flood your rice with the curry mixture to get that extra punch.
One of the must-try dishes has to be the Mutton Varruval, which is significantly richer in flavour and has a lovely fragrant fragrance from the pieces added.
Address: 42, Jalan SS 2/4a, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Sri Nirwana Maju
Regarded as one of the most go-to Indian restaurants in Kuala Lumpur for Banana Leaf Rice, Nirwana Maju delivers on both spice and flavours, if that’s what you’re after. The speciality is the Fried Bitter Gourds served on the side of your main meal which can be quite addictive if eaten on its own. In terms of their other dishes, the restaurant also serves a variety of mamak dishes such as Fried Rice, Maggi and Noodles.
Address: Sri Nirwana Maju Restaurant, 43, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Devi’s Corner
Whether you prefer to enjoy Banana Leaf Rice or Mamak-style dishes, Devi’s Corner Restaurant is popular for its signature Crab Curry. The food comes out fast if you’re there for Banana Leaf Rice, serving three distinct varieties of curries with three types of veggies, papadom pieces, and mango chutney. Similar to the last restaurant, aside from the Crab Curry, one of the specialities offered here is the Fried Snake Gourds, which is likewise quite addicting.
Address: 14, Jalan Telawi 4, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Meat The Porkers
Meat The Porkers is part of a broader trend. The food is always flavourful but instead of staying true to their Indian roots, the team behind this restaurant has creatively incorporated pork into the cuisine which is pretty rare. Some of the most interesting dishes that should be tried out for newcomers would be the Tandoori Pork Ribs, Butter Pork, Roast Pork Briyani, and Siew Yuk Briyani.
Address: 9M, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Plaza Damansara, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Betel Leaf
Expect an explosion of colours and flavours at Betel Leaf as it offers an extensive menu of authentic Chettinad cuisine which would take you more than a dozen of visits to try everything. First-timers must taste the amazingly delicious Chicken Tikka Masala whereby the creamy and rich-tasting masala is expertly marinated. The cooking of the chicken meat is also tender and juicy.
Another must-try dish is also their Crab Rasam.
Even the pickiest eater will be pleased for sure.
Address: 77A, Leboh Ampang, City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Resident Foodie’s Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶