Indian Vegetarian Food

Eating vegetarian food plays a big part in Hindu religion, as Hindus believe it keeps one’s mind and thoughts pure. Most Hindus practice vegetarianism on Tuesdays and Fridays every week which are holy days. Indian vegetarian food is mainly lacto-vegetarian, which allows the use of milk. In fact, yoghurt in Indian vegetarian cuisine is used extensively as it’s said to balance the body with its cooling properties after eating a spicy meal. Hare Krishna vegetarian food is slightly stricter with no onions and garlic used. One great place to try vegetarian food with a home cooked feel is definitely the predominantly Hindu Indian enclave of Brickfields. Here’s a selection of five places which specifically serve Indian vegetarian food.

South Indian Aiyer Restaurant
B1 Block B Palm Court Condominium, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 6.30 am to 1pm.
Tucked within the flats, one would not know about this place unless directed by their regular patrons. Parking is a bit problematic as the security only allows residents in so you may have to park outside the condo grounds. Step within and you’ll be greeted by a bunch of friendly Indian waiters who will set you up with a banana leaf. They’ll keep piling on vegetables, curries, pappadums and even dessert in the form of payasam. What’s interesting is they also serve a portion of coconut rice and a turmeric yellow yoghurt curry with chopped onions. A steal at only RM5. You’ll definitely want to keep coming back here.

Sathiyanery Vegetarian Centre
245/2 Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
Open 7am to 3pm Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.
Located at the side of the road under a canopy of tall shady trees, this standalone stall serves breakfast and lunch. For breakfast there is vegetarian nasi lemak. Lunch is popular as they serve a platter of food for RM4 whereby you get three different types of vegetables, mango pickle, pappadums, dhal, yoghurt and rice. Everything feels very home cooked and the vegetables are changed on a daily basis. Also available are vegetarian cakes.

Gopala Vegetarian Restaurant
59 Jalan Thambipillai, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 7am to 1am.
One of the few places in town which practises Hare Krishna cooking principles, they serve their food here minus onion and garlic. Although these are the usual aromatics used in Indian cooking, the food remains as tasty as ever. Most popular is the vegetarian satay made from soy chunks. Grilled on a charcoal fire and marinated, you’ll be fooled into thinking it’s just tender chicken chunks. Only available during the evenings, it’s a popular dish among vegetarians and non-vegetarians. During lunch time, they offer thali sets with rice and chapatti with various vegetables and curries.
Saravana Bhavan
52 Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 8.30 am to 11pm
Point to anywhere on the globe and you’ll most probably find a Saravana Bhavan branch. Spreading all over the world, this 25 year old restaurant offers quality vegetarian food for all. Hence it’s not surprising that whenever you dine at their Bangsar outlet, there’s always a crowd of people. For something simple, try the idli which is accompanied with curries and dhal. Also good is their vegetarian vhicken and paneer served with spinach.

Hare Krsna Vegetarian
16 Lorong Chan Ah Tong, Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 10.30am to 2.30pm
Located just off the main road of Brickfields and next to the popular New Lay Sin restaurant, you can find this stall under a zinc roof. Select from cooked vegetarian dishes like deep fried lotus root and bittergourd curry. What’s special is their vegetable koftas that are deep fried and served with a tomato-based curry. On Fridays, look out for payasam, a delicious dessert made from bright yellow turmeric and full of cashew nuts and raisins.