Rarely do I encounter a restaurant that offers Malayali cuisine from Kerala, a state in India. This particular cuisine distinguishes itself from standard South Indian fare by its extensive reliance on coconut—both grated and in the form of milk. The application of spices also varies considerably. In my experience, Malayali food tends to be lighter on the palate, lacking the potency and abundance of masala characteristic of its South Indian counterparts. I find it quite enjoyable.
Fun Fact: “Chacko” is a common name for males in Kerala. The establishment is situated in Bukit Gasing, nestled among a series of shops near the popular Thai Buddhist temple. This restaurant occupies a corner lot.
Menu
***The first TWO pages of the menu which contains ‘Breakfast items’ is missing.
Kerala Meal, RM 17 + Chicken Briyani, RM 24
The Kerala Meal resembles a Thali Set typically found in some South Indian restaurants locally. It comprises Ponni Rice accompanied by three traditional curries, three seasonal vegetables, homemade pickle, papadam, and payasam. Characteristic of Ponni Rice, the grains are short, plump, and notably soft. When combined with the two gravies—sambar and thairu—along with my preferred Keralan vegetable, Aviyal, the overall flavor profile good. Aviyal consists of a medley of vegetables prepared with coconut gravy and curd/yogurt, and it was the first dish I consumed from my plate. Another vegetable that I particularly enjoyed was the beetroot with shredded coconut. Although I am not a fan of the ‘Inji Puli’ pickle, I found the servings of Rasam and Payasam to be quite pleasurable. It is important to note that this is a vegetarian meal; however, one may opt to enhance it with the addition of meat.
The Chicken Biryani featured a pleasingly simple and subtly sweet undertone, serving as a contrast to the spice-laden biryanis typically found elsewhere. Despite its simplicity, it had good flavor, accompanied by two pieces of chicken (a thigh and a drumstick). The dish was further complemented by a papadam, raita, and sambar.
Address: 27, Jalan Chantek 5/13, Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya.
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 am to 9 pm.
Signing out now, Ciao.