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Here’s Why This Halal South Indian Eatery In SG Should Be On Your Must-Try List

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Shasha Dania •  Oct 03, 2019

One of the best parts of Singaporean foodie culture is being able to try dishes from so many cuisines and ethnicities. Better yet, it’s also being able to sit down to a gathering with your friends or family to share some dishes and enjoy a great meal together. ?

Credit: Giphy

If you’re planning a get-together, then Indian cuisine should definitely be on your mind! Whether you’re sharing a fragrant and spicy bowl of dum biryani, or dipping your naan into delicious curries and gravies, Indian food means gathering around a table and sharing the best dishes with the people you love. ?

So we definitely couldn’t wait to try out the menu of Halal-certified Pavilion Banana Leaf restaurant and their South Indian specialities! They also have North Indian favourites too, so no matter what cuisine you’re a fan of you can definitely find something you’ll love here! If you’re looking for the perfect location for your next get-together, then you won’t have to look any further for affordable prices, a relaxed and spacious ambience, and of course delicious dishes that will keep you coming back for more. ?

P.S. Good news! Get 20% off your bill* at Pavilion Banana Leaf when you quote <HHWT20>! Promo valid till 3 Nov 2019.

*Before GST & service charge, valid only for dine-in and takeaway, and is not valid for online delivery offers or for combinations with other promotions/offers.

1. Relaxed and laidback ambience

Credit: Pavilion Banana Leaf

The first thing we noticed was how new everything was at the restaurant. ? Pavilion Banana Leaf used to be called Zaffron Banana Leaf, and actually rebranded and renovated in 2018 in order to get their halal certification! With its high ceiling and long windows letting in natural light from outdoors, the mood felt very bright and cheery. You could even hear the hustle and bustle of the mall crowds right outside, but there was an outdoors-dining vibe because of the plant and flower decor!

2. Huge space for large group meals

Credit: @5zalholo on Instagram

The laidback atmosphere meant that it was perfect for the huge group meal we were about to have. ? The tables were large and there was a mix of individual armchairs and short benches that were soft and comfortable. It felt like we were just lounging about in a courtyard or garden, rather than in a restaurant in a mall. There was even a swing set decorated with red flowers that guests are welcome to take photographs on. ?

3. Affordable prices for large servings

When you’re dining out with a large group, it’s always important to keep in mind everyone’s budget so that you can have a worry-free meal. Pavilion Banana Leaf’s online menu even includes their prices so you can plan ahead while sticking to your budget. ? At first glance, the amounts seemed higher than what we were used to paying for Indian food - but when the dishes actually arrived the portion sizes were worth it! Each dish (even the individual curries and starters) was the perfect amount for sharing, and we felt full after getting to try a little bit of everything. ?

4. South Indian specialities (with some North Indian dishes too!)

In Singapore, we sometimes group South and North Indian food together, but there are various differences between these 2 cuisines! North Indian food is usually based around bread such as Naan and includes curries such as Butter Chicken and Aloo Gobi Masala. Pavilion Banana Leaf’s menu does include these favourites, but their specialities are actually South Indian dishes! These include Fish Head Curry, Dum Biryani, Banana Leaf Rice, and vegetable Dhal Curries. ?

The menu was actually created as a collaboration with celebrity chef Dr. Chef Damodharan, also known as Dr. Chef Damu. Chef Damu specializes in Southern Indian cuisine, and fun fact - he holds a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon of 617 dishes that took over 24 hours to complete! ?

#HHWT Tip: We ordered a mix of South and North Indian dishes for our meal to try a little bit of everything. Keep reading to find out which ones were the stand-out dishes that are worth a visit on their own! ?

5. Experience traditional Indian street food such as Dahi Puri

We decided to get the Dahi Puri as a starter. Dahi Puri ($2.90) is usually found as a street snack in Mumbai, and Pavilion Banana Leaf’s version is a fried ball of semolina flour that’s filled with potatoes and a variety of delicious sauces and gravy. The sour yogurt completed the sweet and spicy sauce, and the dough was still crunchy even after it had been drenched! It definitely got our appetites excited for the next few dishes to come. ?

6. Savour sour Fish Head Curry paired perfectly with Banana Leaf Basics

The Fish Head Curry ($29.90 for half-portion, $38.90 for full portion) is one of Pavilion Banana Leaf’s signature dishes - and we could see why! There was a distinctly sour tang to the soup that made it super addictive, and the fish meat was soft and tender. The soup was even full of ladies’ finger, tomatoes, and other vegetables that made it light, while still filling.

We ordered the Banana Leaf Basics ($4.90) to pair with our fish head curry. Plus, it was literally in the restaurant’s name, so we had to make sure to try it at least once. ? Pavilion Banana Leaf keeps their banana leaf rice very simple - a crunchy piece of poppadum, one generous scoop of rice, and 3 vegetable dishes that rotate daily based on what’s in season. Ours was served with cabbage with dahl, mixed vegetables including ground coconut and brinjal, and a pickled lime for that extra-sour touch. ?

7. Try tender Lamb Shank Biryani that melts in your mouth

Credit: @makeyourcaloriescount on Instagram

South Indian food contains lots of rice dishes, so we made sure to try at least one type of biryani while we were there! The Lamb Shank Biryani ($25) comes topped with a huge piece of lamb, which is covered in tomatoes and gravy and accompanied by 2 more smaller pots of sauce. We could smell the spices of the biryani the moment it arrived at our table. ? The lamb was tender and so easy to pull apart – and the sauces added a perfect finishing touch!

8. Kick the spice up a notch with Chettinad Fried Chilli Chicken

One of our favourite dishes was quite unexpected – it turned out to be the Chettinad Fried Chilli Chicken ($11.30)! The dish is a traditional South Indian dish and while it might look very spicy here (yes, it came with whole red chilli on top! ?) what made us fall in love with it was how rich and flavourful it was. Paired with a plain or butter naan, every mouthful felt like an explosion of garlic and spices that kept us going back for more.

Our meal at Pavilion Banana Leaf was amazing, and we’d recommend it for any groups looking for their next hangout spot. The casual ambience and delicious dishes made it a super comfortable atmosphere to relax and have a meal in, and we finally got to try some authentic South Indian cuisine too! The restaurant is also available for private parties or corporate events, and they even deliver islandwide so you’ve got your next big meeting or celebration covered. ?

If you’re interested to try Pavilion Banana Leaf’s dishes, make sure to quote <HHWT20> to enjoy 20% off your bill*! This exclusive offer is only valid until 3 November 2019 so hurry up and make your reservations before time’s up. ?

*Before GST & service charge. This offer is only valid for dine-in and takeaway, and is not valid for online delivery offers or for combinations with other promotions/offers.

Halal Status: Halal-certified

Address: 63 Jurong West Central 3, Jurong Point #03-58/59, Singapore 648886

Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm daily (Last order 9.30pm)

Contact: +65 6352 1636 or reserve online or order online (Contact the restaurant directly for further enquiries about corporate or private events, or large-scale deliveries)

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This article is brought to you by First Gourmet.