Cravings for banana leaf rice always seem to hit on a Friday, possibly because the weekend is near and lunches are a bit longer and more relaxed. The problem with driving out to the popular haunts to get your fix is that the traffic on a Friday is also pretty horrendous and the outing could easily take 2hours or more.
When I first heard of banana leaf rice (BLR) being served at a little café near the office on Friday afternoons I was a bit skeptical. The initial hesitation disappeared though the minute I tasted the curry. Bursting with flavour and spice the deep layers of yumminess shone through.
All the curries and veggies are cooked in house and since it’s a once a week treat, they go all out! The cooking starts from Thursday itself and it takes time to prepare which is why it is only served once a week. More care is put into the food and the veggie dishes are innovative with tasty delights such as the delectable pumpkin masala. The sweetness of the pumpkin goes well with the heat. The pumpkin chunks are cooked till tender and you are even able to chomp down on the skin. This is not something you see everyday in your typical BLR spots. The bitter gourd dish isn’t too bitter, complimenting the rice beautifully.
The one thing that really stands out here is the rasam. It is a gorgeous spicy sour peppery blend that is good enough to drink on its own (I would drink up a huge vat of this if I could). There is something comforting about the spicy burn as it tingles down your throat. I’d imagine that this would do well with clearing up sinuses, just be careful not to chomp down too eagerly on the green chillies as this can leave you with a burning tongue and watery eyes.
"More curry please!"
The vegetarian set here is RM7. You can then choose to have lamb, chicken, or fish on the side for an additional RM5. The options are lamb or chicken varuval or fried chicken or tenggiri. As I’m not a lamb fan I decided to try the chicken varuval and fried tenggiri. Both are well prepared and packed with flavour. It is definitely a great alternative having BLR here rather than driving out to some of the more popular joints. The curries taste fresher than some spots out there, and the flavours are certainly brighter as the food is cooked in smaller batches.
Mud Hut provides delicious simple food with a cosy surrounding. Owner Prakash Ragavan is usually around to greet guests with a warm welcome that most typically reserve for close friends and family. He opened this little cafe up in hopes of creating a space where people feel at home. A place where you don't only go to fill up, but where you can make new friends, watch the game, and sometimes even catch a movie. Prakash is the kind of restaurant owner who will drop his regulars text messages from time to time highlighting any specials or changes to the menu. This is how we initially found out about the banana leaf special! Aside from BLR Fridays there are other dishes on the menu such as Assam Laksa, Sarawak Laksa, Nasi Dagang, Nasi Goreng, Lamb Burger and more. The same thoughtful preparation goes into these dishes resulting in tasty bites that are reasonably priced.
Next time you’re in the neighborhood drop by to check the food out. Make sure to have a chocolate mud pie before you leave. Yumm…
More Photos To Drool On
Oh lovely rasam...how you tempt us so!
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Foodster's Verdict
Mud Hut
Taste
Address:
1st Floor, Tropics Shopping Centre, No. 15 Jalan PJU 8/1 Bandar Damansara Perdana Tel:
Open:
11:30am - 10pm Monday - Sunday (Closed on Wednesdays) Banana Leaf is only served on Friday
Pros:
A great option when you get a BLR craving. It's the kind of place where you always feel welcome and at home.
Cons:
The BLR is not served on an actual banana leaf taking away some of the charm
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