Proof positive that simplicity should triumph over complicated style, Ganga Café, in the tiny enclave of eateries on Jalan Kurau, is indubitably one of KL’s better-kept secrets. Those in the know are reluctant for word to spread lest their little treasure becomes inundated by diners looking for the Next Best Thing. In fact, I came to know of Ganga through a friend who had initially begged me not to write about it for precisely the aforementioned reason. Happily, he has since reconsidered.
Ganga is Spartan simple, with wooden chairs and tables arranged unceremoniously on a concrete floor. It’s this spare minimalism and cleanliness that imbue Ganga with a sense of holiness, almost. It helps that the restaurant serves vegan food that is MSG-free, using fresh vegetables harvested from their own farm that have been grown without fertilisers or insecticides. Processed ingredients are largely avoided and top quality ghee is used. Interestingly, for such a tiny eatery, Ganga has an extensive breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner menu, and care has been invested in creating dishes that may not be innovative but are definitely nourishing and tasty.
For breakfast, the full gamut of Indian/Mamak staples is available. What’s different is your sense of wellbeing after you’ve eaten. Instead of feeling as though there is a brick lodged in your tummy, as is often the case after I’ve eaten at the local mamak, the nuanced flavours of the homemade kuah and the lightness of the chapatti and even the roti ensures that post-prandial energy levels do not flag. And ultimately, this is what sets Ganga apart: food that is consistently light, with flavours that insinuate themselves on your palate rather than bashing you over the head with OTT excess, whether it’s the fried bee hoon, the vegetarian chicken rendang, the thosai masala, or even the banana leaf rice.
Do not leave Ganga without at least one glass of Pranic juice. Made using fresh mint, coriander, ginger, lime, pepper, black salt, honey and cumin, this beverage cools your body and restores balance. It’s also the best natural pick-me-up I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I’m a fan.