[Pork-free] It is our tradition to start the new year with Banana Leaf Rice (BLR). This year, it’s at Acha Curry House.
Acha curry house is now in SS2
Acha Curry House is no stranger to BLR lovers in PJ.
Acha used to operate in Petaling Garden next to Bukit Gasing, before moving to its new premise here in SS2.
Occupying a corner lot in the quieter part of SS2 (closer to Taman Bahagia LRT station and a stone’s throw away from Ipoh Road Yong Tow Foo) – the new shop is spacious and clean, with plenty of safe distance between tables.
It was on 1 Jan that we found ourselves here for brunch.
Indian rice, please
The basic Banana Leaf Rice here starts at RM8.50 – and comes with your usual sides of veggies and pappadom.
Whenever available, we would opt for Indian rice (actually parboiled rice, but called Indian rice at BLR joints for some reason) over white rice. And the Indian rice here is cooked just nice – grains that can be individually separated with a nice bite.
Free-flow of veggies
Unlike most BLR restaurants, Acha allows patrons to help themselves with all the vegetable sides here. A staff member helped us out with the top-up for veggies when we requested.
Among all the veggies available that day – bean sprouts, cucumber, long beans, okra, pumpkin, mustard greens – we enjoyed the mustard greens and okra.
They were nicely cooked with sufficient seasoning.
Crab and salted fish curry
Onion curry
Acha offers a variety of curries to go with your BLR. Some less common ones we had that day were crab, salted fish and onion curries.
They also make bone marrow curry but it was not available that day.
Crab curry 
Dhal
Besides that, you’ll find the usual curries here – fish, chicken, dhal and mutton. Similar to the vegetables, patrons can help themselves to the curries to drench their rice.
As we’ve mixed all the curries into our rice – we can’t comment on how they taste individually. However when mixed together – they were rich, not too spicy and full of flavours!
Get the ikan bilis sambal
Ikan bilis sambal
We really recommend the Ikan Bilis Sambal (RM1 per serving)! The fried anchovies were still crispy despite being coated with sauce.
The sambal was so umami-rich thanks to the anchovies and sambal paste. We love the generous amount of onions as well which give sweetness to the dish. This dish was incredibly moreish and left us asking for more haha.
Mutton Varuval, fried chicken and fish
Mutton varuval
We also enjoyed the Mutton Varuval (RM13) for its tender meat and rich gravy. It wasn’t very spicy but very flavourful thanks to the sufficient spices used.
Fried tenggiri 
Fried chicken
Between the Fried Chicken (RM8.50) and Fried Fish (RM8) – we recommend the tenggiri (mackarel).
The fish steak was fresh and perfectly fried. The skin was crispy with flesh that’s soft and tender. The best kind of combination!Marination was also perfect with the right amount of salt and spices.
While tender, we thought the chicken was on the saltier side.
Deep-fried bittergourd
The Deep-Fried Bitter Gourd (RM2.50) here was well-seasoned and crispy.
Verdict
We enjoyed the BLR here for its good offering of veggies and curries. We recommend the fried fish, mutton varuval and ikan bilis sambal.
The only letdowns here were the soft pappadom and dhal that is a bit more watery than expected (we like our dhal thick).
Acha Curry House
Address: 42, Jalan SS 2/4a, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Hours: 10.30am-4.30pm Daily (Closed on the 2nd Monday of the month. If its a Public Holiday, Acha will be closed on the following Monday)
Phone: 012-273 5096
Website: https://m.facebook.com/pages/Achas-Curry-House/343489002399409
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More recommendations
Check out the links below for more recommendations for Banana Leaf Rice.
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