The eatery is small, hidden from the main road. And yet, patrons make a beeline every day to savour the Indian breakfast and lunch spread here.
The reason? Founder and head cook Devi Nathan, 53, who has made it her mission to ensure the food here carries the nostalgic flavours of her late mother’s recipes.
The restaurant serves more than 40 dishes, with menus changing daily. From millet idli and yoghurt curry to Kerala-style dishes and fresh biryani, everything is cooked in small batches to keep the food fresh throughout the day.
“My mum was a great cook. In fact, I didn’t even cook or enter the kitchen until I got married because that’s how good of a cook she was,” Devi shared with FMT Lifestyle.
Running a restaurant is in Devi’s blood as her father, a fireman, opened a restaurant in Bayan Baru, Penang, when she was still schooling there.
Devi discovered her own cooking prowess when she whipped up a simple sardine dish for herself and her hotelier husband after spending weeks eating just hotel food.
“I realised I had it in me even though I’ve not cooked before. And from that day on, I just loved cooking and giving people my dishes. And when I get a compliment, I feel very happy,” Devi smiled.
She opened a little eatery in Labuan several years ago but closed the business when her family moved to Kuala Lumpur to care for her parents.
“But when my mum passed away, I felt a bit lonely because she was with me all the time. I became depressed. Then I started back again, cooking for my friends,” Devi shared.
What began with just five to 10 packs of food for sale soon grew into 800, all cooked from her home kitchen. And before long, Devi was running a full-fledged catering business.
As the business expanded, Devi moved operations into a shoplot in Seri Kembangan to serve as a central kitchen, and upon requests from her customers, set up a cosy eatery in 2022.
“When people come here, they say, ‘I feel like I had it from my mum. I miss my mum’s food, so I come here.’ It’s a compliment for me to hear that,” said Devi.
One of the highlights is the cutlets, which are also sold frozen. They are flavourful, with a generous meat filling and just the right amount of crispiness on the outside.
There is also a wide variety of curries to satisfy your spice cravings, including sothi, fenugreek curry, sorrel leaves curry, and yoghurt curry. Make sure to drench your rice with these because the curries here are spicy, thick, and aromatic.
The chicken and mutton dishes are deeply flavourful, carrying rich spices and bold flavours inspired by Devi’s Malayalee heritage. Think comforting Kerala-style dishes packed with layers of warmth and fragrance.
On the other hand, dishes like the lotus root petai sambal and tempe sambal bring things closer to home, paying tribute to beloved Malaysian flavours with a punchy, familiar kick.
There is also the pazhaya saadham kanji – a probiotic-rich porridge made from overnight-soaked rice mixed with yoghurt, onions and spices. A humble dish often enjoyed in South Indian homes, it is known for its cooling properties and gut-friendly benefits, offering a simple yet comforting taste that many grew up with.
“People back then used to eat this. I grew up with this too. So, at Narmy’s Kitchen, I try to bring back dishes that you don’t normally get in other Indian restaurants,” said Devi.
Ultimately, Narmy’s Kitchen delivers the comfort of a home-cooked meal while offering diners a chance to discover Indian fare that rarely make it onto restaurant menus. It is the kind of place where every meal feels both comforting and surprising at the same time.
Find out more about Narmy’s Kitchen here. Follow Narmy’s Kitchen on Instagram.
Narmy’s Kitchen
B-UG-3A, Zenopy Residence,
Jalan LP 7/4, Lestari Perdana,
43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
For location, click here.
Business hours:
8am-3pm (Tuesdays to Sundays, closed on Mondays)
Contact: 017-303 1599