Top 5 Banana Leaf South Indian Diners Worth Trying in Klang Valley
BANANA leaf rice remains a staple for many in Klang Valley, bringing together rice, curries, vegetables and side dishes in a single spread. While some outlets attract long queues, others are often overlooked despite delivering consistent meals.
Here are five banana leaf rice spots across Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, each offering a different dining experience.
Sun Raj Curry House, Taman Desa Petaling
Price: From RM10 per set
Rating: 4.5/5
Sun Raj Curry House is easy to miss, with many passers-by walking past without stopping. Those who do step in are met with a generous banana leaf spread that places strong emphasis on vegetable sides, making it a suitable option for diners looking for a lighter meal.
A standard banana leaf set, typically priced from RM10, comes with unlimited rice, curries, appalam and a selection of vegetables. Diners can add on additional sides, with a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available to round out the meal.
Made-to-order fried items are a highlight here, particularly the fish slices and chicken pieces prepared on the spot. Unlike many banana leaf outlets that moderate their spice levels, Sun Raj maintains a consistent heat, resulting in flavours that feel closer to home-style cooking than commercial fare. For those with room to spare, the meal can be rounded off with paal appam or tea-time snacks such as assorted kuih.
Lara’s Spice Kitchen, Petaling Garden
Price: From RM12 per set
Rating: 4/5
Formerly known as Devi’s Corner PJ, Lara’s Spice Kitchen serves banana leaf sets alongside puttu, offering variety for diners who prefer more than one staple on the table. While prices are slightly higher than some neighbourhood outlets, the food remains consistent. The banana leaf set includes mango pickles, mint thokku and four vegetables of the day.
Additional sides such as mutton varuval, chicken peratal and freshly fried items are available upon request. Puttu is offered in three variations priced between RM4 and RM5, with a mixed option available at RM6.
To balance the meal, diners can opt for mooru or buttermilk, priced at RM4, which provides a cooling contrast to the spices.
Achi Ayahdorai, Sea Park
Price: From RM13.90 per set
Rating: 3.5/5
Achi Ayahdorai presents a more structured banana leaf experience, with multiple rice and curry choices. The basic set starts from RM13.90 and includes a choice between parboiled rice and white rice, with optional upgrades to biryani rice for RM8 or ghee rice for RM7.
The set comes with four sides – vegetable of the day, pineapple pachadi, raita and fried cabbage – along with papadom, curd chilli and a small serving of kesari. A notable accompaniment is the thoviyal, a thick coconut-based chutney that paired particularly well with hot rice.
Six curries are served, including chicken, fish, a non-vegetarian curry of the day, dhal, keerai and an onion curry. The meal typically concludes with rasam, with the option to upgrade to mutton rasam for RM3.50.
Our verdict? While they do serve up a decent banana leaf set with reasonable prices, a little more heat will always be welcomed.
Kavitha Banana Leaf, Medan Selera PJ Oldtown
Price: From RM8 per set
Rating: 4.9/5
Located in a small food court in PJ Oldtown, Kavitha Banana Leaf is a dependable option for those seeking bold flavours at accessible prices.
Banana leaf sets start from RM8, with a broad selection of side dishes available to complement the meal. The curries carry a firm, lingering heat – and the menu includes less commonly found dishes such as goat tripe curry, which is clean-tasting and hearty when paired with freshly steamed rice.
Another strength lies in the chutneys served with the set. While tomato and coconut chutneys are standard, special occasions may feature a sweet and tangy ginger chutney.
With a balanced combination of curries, vegetables and rice, the meal often feels complete without the need for additional sides.
Acha Curry House, Petaling Jaya
Price: From RM10 per set
Rating: 3/5
Acha Curry House offers a milder flavour profile, with food that leans towards comfort rather than spice. The basic banana leaf set starts from RM10, with side dishes priced between RM8 for smaller portions and RM14 for larger servings.
One of the stronger elements here is the crispy sambal ikan bilis, where the mild sweetness of raw onions offsets the heat of the sambal.
The fried mackerels, priced between RM8 and RM12, is another popular choice, featuring well-marinated fish with seasoning that carries through the flesh.
The restaurant can become crowded during peak lunch hours, so visiting earlier in the day may provide a more relaxed dining experience.
Final verdict
Kavitha Banana Leaf stands out for its bold flavours and value for money, while Sun Raj Curry House delivers consistency and generous spreads at an accessible price point.
Lara’s Spice Kitchen and Achi Ayahdorai cater to diners who prefer variety and a more composed meal, though they may fall short for those seeking stronger heat. Acha Curry House, while comforting, is best suited for diners who favour milder flavours over intensity.
However, something to take note of is that together, these five spots reflect the diversity of banana leaf rice offerings across the Klang Valley – at least for us.
