Nestled shoulder-to-shoulder with other shops in a cosy SS5 neighbourhood, this restaurant serves a mouth-watering array of South Indian dishes, the tantalising aromas of which hit you the instant you step inside.

Their buffet spread typically commands a full house whether at lunch or dinner time and once you tuck into a meal here, you’ll understand why.

Avilin, the owner of Asian Rice Pot tells FMT that the curries are cooked and stored in clay pots as these traditional vessels give the dishes their distinctive South Indian flavour.

Besides, the clay pots are also pleasing to the eye and lend a somewhat rustic look and feel to the food on display.

The favourite at this restaurant is the mutton varuval, slow-cooked and marinated with copious amounts of spices and herbs to create a depth of flavour that is rather unforgettable.

With every morsel of meat thickly coated in a clingy gravy, this dish is best enjoyed with ghee rice, that is both aromatic and so tasty, you can even eat it on its own.

The chicken curry meanwhile is delicately spiced and best savoured with plain white rice or thosai.

If you have a weakness for anything remotely biryani, you’ll love Asian Rice Pot’s take on this favourite in variations of chicken, mutton and fish. Their biryani set comes with the usual suspects – cucumber raita and vegetable acar – making this a wholesome and complete meal bursting with contrasting flavours and textures.

If you’re in the mood for something different but still spicy with a robust flavour, ask for the restaurant’s signature mutton fried rice.

Rest assured there is no stinging on the portion of mutton crowning this delightful one-dish wonder. Don’t be surprised if you feel like packing an extra helping to take home for tucking into later.

Vegetarians need not fret! Like all South Indian restaurants worth their salt, Asian Rice Pot has a wide array of tantalising vegetable dishes that pack in the flavour.

From lady’s fingers to cabbage, to spicy brinjal and tofu, there is something for everyone, all done to perfection keeping to traditional South Indian flavours.

Avilin tells FMT that the cook and all other restaurant staff are from India, so one can expect authentic-tasting dishes using traditional cooking methods just like they do in India.

The spices are imported from India as well and the cook even makes his own secret spice blends to ensure authenticity and flavour that live up to the expectations of South Indian cuisine.

“What sets Asian Rice Pot apart from other Indian restaurants is that we don’t stinge on quality ingredients and there is no compromise on the quality of our food,” Avilin says.

For those with a sweet tooth, Asian Rice Pot has a selection of local cakes perfect for tea- time with a hot brew. You can also indulge in a classic banana split or ice-kacang to tame tongues on fire after a particularly spicy meal.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, tea-time and dinner. Besides serving hot meals at the restaurant itself, Asian Rice Pot also caters for events big and small.

Asian Rice Pot
11, Jalan SS 5A/11
SS 5, 47301 Petaling Jaya
Selangor

Business Hours: 8am – 9.30pm daily

Contact: 03-7874 6911