Passions of Kerala New World Park

December 2013

Tucked comfortably within the New World Park complex on Jalan Burma is this unassuming restaurant serving South Indian fare at very reasonable prices. A casual ambience permeates the place and has a large number of loyal regulars who will swear by its consistently delicious authentic curries. And we’re fast becoming one of them too.

A meal here is a fixed menu of banana leaf rice at RM5.50+, slathered with dhal, accompanied by five types of vegetables, crispy papadom and rasam or lightly spicy, tangy soup with which to end the rich, sleep-inducing meal. For a spicier taste, we’d recommend going for a splash or two of curry to mix with the dahl.

Choices of thick curries and dahl

Curries here are thick, robust and rather specific in flavour and colour. For instance, you’d learn very quickly to discern the more tangy, lighter fish curry from the creamier meat curries. The dahl, unlike in some Indian eateries, is thick in texture too, and generously filled with vegetables and potatoes.

For a proper spruced-up meal, proteins such as their deep-fried black pomfret or the fish sambal at RM6+ per piece will do the trick. There are mutton varuval or chicken masala, crab rasam and fish head curry too. However, the sambal fish with its appetising red hue, tongue-tingling spiciness and slight tang is our favourite! These meat dishes are from RM6+ for a small and RM26+ for the crabs while the fish head is at market price.

Deep-fried, lightly battered sliced assorted vegetables

Deep-fried, delicately battered slices of bittergourd, okra and onions will add a tasty crunch to the overall meal from RM3.50+ for a small serving. The only other vegetable side order on their menu at the moment is the mixed vegetable masala of cauliflowers, potatoes, beans and carrots sautéed in dry masala spices from RM6+.

As you can imagine, a feed here will keep you satiated and full for hours. Our advice? Make it a leisurely occasion, one where you don’t have to run off for a meeting or errands after. Mainly because you may just need a short nap for digestion to take full effect. Another thing, once you’re finished with the meal, fold the banana leaf on which your rice is served towards you as a sign of satisfaction. Su Aziz