Banana Leaf is a popular Malaysian dish served on a fresh banana leaf with an assortment of vegetables, curried meat or fish, papadum and other side dishes. Originally from South India, this dish has become common fare in Malaysian cuisine and is widely available throughout the country.
Banana Leaf Rice is one of my favorite Malaysian dishes next to nasi lemak and assam laksa. It reminds me of a more intricate version of Binalot meals in the Philippines, which consist of rice wrapped in a banana leaf served with salted red egg, chopped tomatoes and a choice of Filipino meat dishes like adobo, tapa, chicken and fish.
I’ve tried banana leaf rice in Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Sabah but the best value for money and tastiest version I’ve tried was the one from the small town of Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands. It was cheap (8RM) and the portions were satisfyingly large.
A Typical Serving of Banana Leaf Rice
• rice served on a fresh sheet of banana leaf
• 3 types of vegetables
• choices of curry and/or dal
• other side dishes like pickles and/or papadums
The traditional banana leaf rice is a vegetarian dish. Only the curry sauce is usually served but you can always request your curry with chicken, mutton, fish or other side dishes.
How to Eat Banana Leaf
Traditionally, this dish is eaten with your hand (right hand only) and can get a bit messy with all the added dips and curry sauces, if you’re not used to it . But that’s what makes eating banana leaf rice fun and interesting. It is practical and environment-friendly too.
After a satisfying meal, fold the banana leaf towards you to show appreciation. Folding it the other way around means the food wasn’t good and satisfying.
Don’t forget to try banana leaf if you happen to visit Malaysia. Aside from the thrill of eating with your bare hand in public (without raising eyebrows), it apparently aids in digestion which will come in handy if you have been feasting on the delicious street food while on the road.
mukhang marami yung rice serving nila ah. and wow, habagat shirt! hahahaha…
Korek parang good for two, (sa Manila pa namin binili yung Habagat shirt, mura lang kasi dry fit shirt nila)
our old traditional eating habit still applies to these days and its an appetizer eating with bare hand.:-). Ang gana nga nating kumain pag nag kamay, (asus hirap na akong mag ingles talaga.). hehehe.
grilled seafood and barbecue comes to mind when i think of eating with bare hands
lalo na pag may softdrinks na malamig. naku. mawawala ang diet natin nyan. bibigat ulit ako niyan. nabawasan pa na man ng 1 kilo ngayon.
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i just love this dish. When I went to KL in 2008, i tried nasi lemak but not this viand. hehe. thanks for the post! love it.
Nasi Lemak was also my first meal in KL, even now I just can’t get enough of it
sarap kumain ng naka kamay lng
Kagutom!
grabe nakakagutom. that’s what I like about KL, kahit mga businessman na naka corporate naka kamay kung kumain — making eating with your bare hands cool, dito sa pinas di masyado sarap pa naman kumain ng naka kamay
Nagkakamay ako kapag sa Mang Inasal, walang pakialaman hahaha.
i used to wonder why people from other culture only use the right hand in eating as well as in shaking hands. that was until an indonesian classmate of mine in singapore explained what the left hand is used for
Yeah, it makes sense actually if you come to think about it
yun banana leaf sa trinoma na try ko na pero “the real thing” sana… pagpunta ko nalang sa KL… parang ang yummy!
Is the banana leaf sold at Trinoma South Indian style or the Pinoy binalot style?
katakam naman ito.. yum yum!
There’s a Banana Leaf Restaurant here in the Philippines which also have the same concept. Have you tried it? You’re not expected to eat with your hands though.
Not yet just the usual binalot tong dahon meals. You’re not really expected to eat with your hands especially if you’re a tourist. I’ve seen local Indians doing it and a few Malays during our visit.
nakakagutoooom
will try this on my trip to KL! thanks for sharing 
Isabay mo na rin roti, nasi lemak at laksa
didn’t see this in the hawker stalls in jalan alor, or kung meron man im so focused on getting my satay ang char kway. hehe
Ang dami kasing food stalls sa Jalan Alor, parang dapat every night pupunta ka parang matry mo lahat
ito yung masarap, kamayan style! nice tip on how to fold it properly.
nakita ko nga to sa KL pero nung babalikan ko na para kumain ako. wala ng time. lol sarap nga nila kumain yan, nag observe muna ako bago ko i try. ang helpful ng tips!
Same here, madalas kung ano yung kinakain ng locals tinuturo ko lang sa waiter kahit di ko alam kung ano yun basta mukhang masarap order din ako hahaha.
Hmmmm…. curious na ako sa Cameron Highlands, but since meron palang pwedeng kainan ng kamayan dyan, now i am sold to going there on my next KL trip!
Try mo na rin yung steamboat nila, parang shabu-shabu lang
Wow… parang sa Pinas din…
Yun nga lang Itlog na maalat yung satin…
Mukhang masarap…
nice kamayan din pala!
I have tried this before! It is to die for!!!!
damn that look really delicious I want to there just eat that stuff