Meeting New HIVE Friends with the Introduction to Banana Leaf Rice

in Eating Out2 days ago


Thanks to @macchiata who took the picture so I don't have to retake

Today while finally set most of the work done during the weekday after last meet-up on Tuesday, I could get out of my usual care-taking routine and take a trip all the way to Batu Caves to meet up with Cemy and hive friends.


Unfortunately, due to religious respect and my health condition, it wasn't wise to visit the Hindu temple as it is deemed sacred and holy. So I decided to meet them after their climb and visitation



Apologies I didn't tag everyone as I didn't know everyone's screenname yet

I think the server did get a bit frustrated while trying to help us take the photo because some of the food arrived and the attention has been drifting to the food haha.... but it is still great to have everyone in the picture.

While waiting for the rest of the food to come, the banana leaf rice (that I am taking in the end, because others decided to get the Nasi Lemak Bamboo version) condiments arrived. Every single restaurant is very different with their condiments for the banana leaf, and the sauces for this restaurant is more on the sambal (special umami chili paste with anchovies base), but the dhall (lentil soup) is still very yummy, together with the dilute curry and sour soup.

I was a little disappointed that there were no deep fried spiced bitter gourd slices, those were my favourite; but the rest are still pretty good.
(Though I feel it is a tiny bit overpriced because it is beside the Batu Caves, touristy area)


Next time when @macchiata and/or @aswita come again we should try another one which is slightly different but with a lot more condiments, and also they will have roti tissue available after breakfast time haha.

I digress!

Other than the banana leaf, I think the this restaurant's biggest attraction would be the Nasi Lemak Bamboo , which is super unique and you don't get to have that on a usual Banana Leaf eatery. The knocking for the rice to come out got everyone excited, though the sambal can be a little challenging for @walterjay but he was still very sporty and determined to overcome the spiciness.

@akumagai on the other hand was super excited with the sambal as it was a very great pair with the rice, gladly enjoying while wondering how he could buy some home later.

Every single Banan Leaf Restaurant must pass its popularity with the "Mango Lassi" (or any Lassi) test. A good Lassi (cold Indian yogurt drink) washes down all the spiciness and the oiliness of every bite, and its yumminess is the ultimate "fire extinguisher of the mouth" for those who are not able to tolerate spicy. Of course, if one is lactose intolerant, then it will be an unfortunate miss.


Overall, it is still a nice place to go to, as this is a multi-chain restaurant, but if I get a chance to visit a Banana Leaf restaurant, it would be Jaipur Curry House, the very first restaurant I fell in love with Banana leaf rice and Masala Tosai for the very first time.

(I do hope their quality is still as great as ever with affordable price tag, as I noticed theirs is below 4 stars rating now 😐)


And this is just part one of the adventure


Until Then

Stay healthy, stay curious and learn new things, and stay happy!

If you would like to give some encouragement outside HIVE with some fiat backing, please feel free to visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/littlenewthings

You can also support me in HIVE

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@Walterjay looks like 1 week gained 5 pounds liao 🤣

Yeah that was a food intensive week 😅 but thanks for being part of it and bringing us to great places. I had a lot of good food in KL, loving it.

Come back anytime, if time permits, I will take you eat the hell out of

I should be back in Malaysia mid December so who knows I might take you up on that offer :)

Do you have telegram? Cause that day we are communicating via telegram, so we can catch each other's real time.

Yeah it's walter_jay (same profile picture as hive) on telegram, I don't use it much but you can send me a message and we can exchange Whatsapp via DM.

Oh I am thinking of inviting @macchiata for my home earlier Christmas party if she is in town at this time, would love to invite you too, and you can see how Malaysians celebrate Christmas haha - Malaysian style.
(Planning phase at the moment)

That would be a great experience, I am open to it for sure if I am around at the right time 🙂

I'll let you know once the dates are confirmed. We can always discuss more on Telegram, ya?

Yes sure, you can contact me later on, it's walter_jay on telegram.

Oh, he'll loose again after a few more flights haha.
I think he looks great compared to his first post on HIVE haha.

The pandan rice make everyone shock and the sound tok tok tok from the bamboo is a nice music :D

Thank you so much to good host for that day, Jess 😍

hahaha, the tok tok tok did give a melodious "lunch is served!" indication, ya? 🤣
It is my pleasure! So much fun going to the Museum with you all too. But we were too distracted taking pictures of the relics I forgot to make a wefie with you guys

You made the museum trip really fun, because of the weird stories you made up 🤣🤣🤣

But I can never beat @akumagai in terms of story creativity

Hey did you both hear the lourve crown jewels are heading to Malaysia?

No? Guess that little monkey from the temple lied to me...

Oh well.

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
You have made my day here, sir.

Oh, but some are true though!

Yums 😋 But I still like my club sandwich. 😁

ah ha ha ha ha! Yes you utmost favourite!

Looks like you had a lot of fun connecting with all these new people!
Yes the Nasi Lemak seems to look more appealing than the banana leaf rice set 😂

yeah! The vibrant green, and basmati rice instead of the usual one and the bamboo knocking gave such a different niche and vibe to the whole experience

Take me to some cool places next time I am there 🤣 There's @yunnie and @demotruck in case you're forgetting to tag them hehe. It was a fun experience exploring the museums too

haha... we still haven't gone for the ribs yet.

Great food and great company again, what a blessing it is! Happy for you. ☺️
AN, KL, KT, MK

Indeed, a blessing!

I am ready to visit Malaysia again:) Please make some recommendations for me next time I am here.

Hahaha! Write down your preferences and let's see how #teammalaysia can dig out all the hidden gems for you to try

Roti tissue is a must try next time. I would like to visit Ipoh again just for the food, I mean Chinese food.😬

Haha... what I can recommend, in case I am really caught up with work and errands and can't go with you guys, is to look for air BNB / Agoda / Bookings.com for Octagon Apartment.
This is considered the most heart of the city where food is just within half a block away.
You will have
Chicken Rice / Yellow Skin Rice for one a must try, but beware the chicken is served room-temperature cold

I hope this one still has the dry curry version. Those were my favourite growing up.

Another one is that you can go to concubine (2nd wife) ally during the day for some really nice tofu-fa (tofu dessert, served warm with ginger syrup - ask for black ginger syrup if possible), and behind the Hor-yan-hor herbal museum you can have "dai chao" (stir fry dishes) with snow beer where you can thoroughly enjoy authentic Chinese food. I think I still owe the HIVE a few more foodie places that I totally forgotten to post haha.

Amazing! Thank you:) I will definitely check them out

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Thanks for treat us, I’m on the way to planning next trip in KL 😀