Originated from Southern India, Banana leaf rice is a popular cuisine in Malaysia partly owing to abundance supply of banana leaves in the tropics. The fragrance of rice and dishes placed on banana leaf is indeed inviting and salivating.

For Penangites fans of banana leaf rice, Inira's Restaurant at Gelugor Brown Garden perhaps rings a bell. Not too far from USM, it is also a popular spot among the university students back in 1990s. Think of vegetarian or Indian, that's the place they flocked. A few years back (or several perhaps), the restaurant had been renamed to 'Passions of Kerala'.

Remains with the same theme that serves banana leaf rice, Passions of Kerala seems to have revised and added new dishes in their menu compares to the Inira's era. Formerly portraying a family run business, today Passions of Kerala has another branch located at New World in Burma Road, George Town. The restaurant at Brown Garden retains the old charm, operated with fans on the ground floor. First floor is reserved for larger group and installed with air-condition. The newly opened branch at New World however demonstrated a modern facade with fine wood dining tables/chairs and sophisticated interior design.

My Significant Other and I were there again recently. We love Indian spices and longing for the taste after being away from home country for quite a while.

We opted for a set of standard non-vegetarian banana leaf rice each. Offered with four assortment of refillable dishes, the set is also served with a basket of papadums. Aside from the standard, we also picked a platter of deep-fried bitter gourd and Chicken Masala - a red curry chicken cooked with masala spices.



In order to obtain the best experience of eating banana leaf rice, I would recommend you to try with hand. This is in fact the most authentic way of tasting the cuisine. Interestingly, the custom of folding banana leaf at the end of your meals provides feedback to the chef/food maker. If you love the food presented, fold the banana leaf towards you while folding it away from you signifies otherwise.

Price is slightly more expensive at New World outlet for the same serving but taste is equally great. Do not miss their mango lassi!  

Address:
New World Park Outlet
102 Lot C3
New World Park
Jalan Burma
10050 Georgetown
Penang
Phone: +60 4 2272550

Gelugor Outlet
5, Lorong Endah 4
Tmn Brown, Gelugor
11700 Penang.
Phone: +60 4 657 8550

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