Puchong Mess

A basic banana leaf rice set that comes with aromatic curry that goes so well with the fluffy rice, 4 side dishes (the highlight was the yogurt cucumber for me!).
Everything was super yummy! Finished the whole portion of rice because the curry paired so well with it.
Friendly owner who kept checking in on us because we look like banana leaf rice beginners. Even offered his homemade Indian tea for us to try!
It’s a bummer they only open on weekdays (10-3pm), otherwise I’ll be making this a weekly affair.

It takes intentional effort to find this hidden gem of a banana leaf house, but trust us, the meal will prove worthwhile. A spinoff from Chakra Catering, the mess hall takes up a small second-floor space that fits 20 people at most. Come with a friend for company, and be prepared to share the long table with (usually) friendly strangers. Once seated, a Banana Leaf Set (RM6) is swiftly served alongside your choice of white rice or Indian parboiled rice — we suggest the latter for a healthier alternative that's still very fulfilling. The set comes with four vegetables of the day, all on rotation except the mango patchadi (chutney) that's a permanent favourite. Pray that the curry of the day is crab, for its fresh, spicy flavours are stunning. For sides, be sure to get the Mutton Varuval (RM5) if it's available. The mutton chunks are tender, flavoursome and tell-tale of the aromatic spices they've been cooked in. Pro tip: Visit on Fridays, when the set comes with two additional vegetable dishes as well as vadai and payasam (vermicelli with sweet sago) for just an extra RM1.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass

Puchong Banana Leaf Rice hidden in Puchong located behind Columbia Hospital No. 11, 7/9 Bandar Puteri Puchong. The curry is memorizing "Salted Fish Head Curry" the Mutton Veruval is also another dish to recommend.

Small but sufficient, heartbreaker of a banana leaf resto Puchong Mess serves four vegetables (plus two more for Friday specials) with crab curry and rasam. Worth tracking the hidden location down for is their Mutton Varuval (RM6), a tender mutton dish perfected with the use of India-imported masala spice. Absolutely loved their sweet, refreshing watermelon raita. Come with a friend (just one) because space is extremely limited.