Best Banana Leaf in Johor Bahru (JB)

In a hurry for curry? Drop the worry and head to this humble restaurant to get your craving fixed. The verdant leaf is generously piled with a mound of white rice, accompanied by complimentary vegetables, resoundingly crunchy papadams and curries of your choice. Every additional dish is worth devouring yet the stars are their Boneless Fried Fish, plump cubes of tender fish deep-fried after a rich marinade, as well as mutton gravy, thick and creamy with hearty chunks of meat. What better way to invigorate the spice aftertastes than a glass of lathered tea, their specialty too. Quick service is another noteworthy point.  

We are not asking you to travel to Kerala, save your time and money as this humble restaurant does send your taste buds over via luscious range of curries, and impeccable gravies. The curries are done to perfection, and just greet your nostrils will alluring aroma. Their deep-fried mackerel fish, fish cutlets are fresh off the fryer and brought to the dining space with a large plate by the courteous staffs, reminds you of Dim Sum in a way. Nevertheless, the jewel in the crown has to go to their mutton curry – thick, spicy and the meats just melts upon tapping into your mouth. Delicious in an understatement. 

The name of the restaurant does stretch your appetite and they do no mistake to quell it down. It’s a neat and spacious eatery, teeming with patrons, especially during lunch hours. Despite the crowd, never expect slapdash strains of curries and yelling orders, it’s astutely organized. The curries are the real deal, it just bombards your palate with rich spices and acceptable scale of heat, while the scoop of vegetables and meats does not disappoint. The front runners are their deep-fried bitter gourd, which is served piping hot, offering an element of crunch. Hold on, another big perk here is biryani every day!  

Picture this in your mind, a commodious ambiance brimming with hungry locals chomping down multifarious Indian dishes and imbibing refreshing lassies to the heart’s content. And you just need to repeat what’s done by the locals to return home smiling ear to ear. Basking your fingers into the curry ladled white rice with assorted vegetables, crispy papadam and a dollop of acar tagging along, is utterly divine. Other winners from the extensive menu are their mutton keema, slowly cooked minced mutton shrouded with thick gravy, deep-fried bitter gourd, and masala chicken thigh, the luscious bird is caressed with mouthwatering gravy. A full-fledged Indian gastronomy is guaranteed. 

Avid banana leaf rice lovers will surely go bananas upon entering this modest joint, as your eyes are teased with staggering choices of dishes that are beyond words. The picture above is just a drop in the ocean. Their deep-fried chicken morsels and various meat gravies ensure your taste buds never gets bored, every visit you’re bound to discover something new and it’s tough to judge which was better. Service can be a little slow during peak hours, yet it’s truly worth the wait. 

Just take some time and admire the picture above, it’s a beauty. To scarf down the mammoth fish head simmering in a scarlet curry, make your visit to this huge establishment. It’s rather an upmarket eatery with authentic Indian decorations and ornaments that set the mood straightaway and ensures grabbing a place in your Instagram feed. The basic banana leaf rice set comes with three side dishes with extra charges to it. Sweeping through the menu would be challenging, you just  desire for everything in it. Yes, we felt that too. Not to be missed is their chicken masala, squid sambal and aforementioned, the fish head curry. The fish is fresh and tender and the spicy curry just enhances the whole dish. Done with the feast, tame down the heat with a refreshing glass of lassi.  Not a surprise why the restaurant is highly ranked among the locals, from breakfast to dinner.