Banana leaf rice is probably one of the best comfort foods a Malaysian could want. Banana leaf places are thus plentiful, with many foodies having their personal favourites. One relative newcomer making waves has to be Achi Ayahdorai, located in Sea Park PJ.
First-year anniversary
Feature Image: Achi Ayahdorai on Google Review (Left), Branedead on Google Review (Right)
This restaurant opened just last year, establishing itself in a city known for its many banana leaf spots. Yet, it has already made something of a name for itself. Getting to its first anniversary this year is testament to that.
To celebrate this success, until 10 May, the family-run restaurant is having discounts on many of its popular food items. These include its claypot chicken and mutton biryani, which are going for the insanely cheap prices of RM12.90 and RM14.90 each!
Hold your horses first! Cheap prices are good and all, but is the food and service at Achi worth experiencing? Is the sky blue? But if you need further convincing, let’s give you an idea of what to expect here.
Avoiding the crowd
For a banana leaf rice place, Achi, quite unusually, is located upstairs. It is situated above The Ice Cream Bar and is in the same row of shops as the local BurgerLab outlet. Parking here can be somewhat rare, and the lunch crowd doesn’t make things easier.
Your best option is to come here early, about 11.30 am, before the area gets packed. That way, you can find parking and also secure a table at Achi. When it comes to eating in Malaysia, plans have to be made!
Stepping into Achi for the first time is an experience. The pink, lavender and peach aesthetics are certainly a choice for a banana leaf restaurant. Not that it detracts from the culinary experience you have come for!
Banana leaf rice with choices
Feature Image: Stxavier5000 on Google Review (Left), Natesh Kannan on Google Review (Right)
Once you’re seated, feel free to order the famous banana leaf rice set. Variety is the name of the game here and you have lots of options with how you want your banana leaf rice. For a price of RM12.90, that’s a steal.
Choose between white, parboiled or even biryani rice. Each rice has sides of four different vegetables, pickle, curd chilli, papadam, kesari and rasam. Afterwards, drench your rice with a choice of six different curries for the authentic experience.
Delicious veggie sides
Feature Image: Neesha Govind on Google Review (Left), Feeding Joeboy on Google Review (Right)
Each dish was lovingly made by the family’s matriarch, so you know you are getting the true Indian home-cooked experience. Even the usual sides taste different here, with soft raita and thick, creamy yoghurt. Turns out age-old recipes never lose their charm!
Of the vegetable sides, the pineapple pachadi is an unusual sight at any other banana leaf spot. Achi’s shredded pineapple dish is still delicious though, balancing sweetness with tanginess. Fancy having flavours dance on your tongue?
One crowd-favourite is the fried cabbage aka cabbage poriyal. The restaurant puts a twist on this usually mundane dish by frying it with a spiced mix. The result? Crunchy, crispy goodness that will leave you hooked.
Mushroom rendang, anyone?
Achi has a large selection of offerings, but the one which sends the most tongues wagging is the Lion’s Mane Mushroom Rendang. Chunky mushrooms with a rich coconut taste? Sign me up! It’s also perfectly vegetarian, so eat without an ounce of guilt.
Generous biryani options
Feature Image: Jayden Lee on Google Review (Left), HC Ong on Google Review (Right)
If you aren’t in the mood for banana leaf rice, maybe a hot claypot meal will lift your spirits. In addition to the usual chicken and mutton biryani, there are also richer options such as prawn and lamb shank. Portions are generous and arguably, each claypot can feed two!
Crispy, crunchy appams
Suppose you are coming in for tea and just want a quick bite. Your best option would probably be the Appams, available from 4pm onwards. These, like everything else on the menu, are made to order, so feel free to munch on these crunchy snacks, perhaps with some brown sugar.
Worth your time?
Feature Image: Santhana Vasan on Google Review (Left), Kratishaa Kyhlasanathan on Google Review (Right)
With so many delicious options awaiting your palate, now is a good time as any to drop by Achi. Be sure to do so before 10 May to get the most bang for your buck. And have we mentioned teh tarik is 90 sen until then…
Achi Ayahdorai
Address: 18, 1st Floor, Jalan 21/22, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: 11.30 am – 9 pm daily | Closed on Mondays
Contact: 011-59192020
Halal Status: Pork-free
You should also check out: This family-run banana leaf restaurant is Puchong’s little secret with delicious mutton varuval
Feature Image Credit: Branedead on Google Review (Left), Mun Wai Thong on Google Review (Right)
