Roti Canai.
This famous popular Malaysian Indian pancake that’s synonymous with Life here. I can’t imagine life without roti canais, can you? I mean, it’s such a Malaysian way of life – it’s not even food, it’s just a way of life! We eat it anytime of the day and it’s readily available everywhere! So, because it is sooo everywhere and everyone has their favourite shop/stall for this, it doesn’t get blogged about much. Well, at least I haven’t.
Not until I’ve heard so much about this one particular joint in Pandamaran, Klang. Yes, my family members have been singing unending praises about this place… about how popular it is… how you have to wait & wait for tables there… that the place is always full, even at 7am! So I actually went there once, sometime during the Chinese New Year break this year, at night, hoping to see what the fuss was all about.
Big mistake.
It’s not open at night!
I was, like “tell me, where got roti canai shop doesn’t open at night one??!”
Well, this one doesn’t.
So, after that fruitless disappointing trip all the way to Pandamaran, I shoved the idea of going there, to the back of my mind… and thought nothing about it… until one day I read J2Kfm’s review about it. That’s when I reminded myself that I needed to go & check this place out! If J2Kfm – an Ipoh blogger – can blog about it, all the more reason that I should go and try their so-called famous roti canai, right? 🙂
The name of the shop is Restoran I.V. – I wonder what IV stands for?! But never mind, the important thing is the “Roti Canai Pandamaran” below it… I guess everyone knows it by this name!
We were there just before noon, so I guess the crowds had thinned out by then. But you can see that it’s still pretty full…
Like most mamak shops, you can choose from a variety of curries and spicy dishes…
Since I went there with a group of relatives, I can’t recall how many plates of Roti Canais we ordered! Indeed their reputation is justified.
Their roti canais are g.o.o.d.
Light, airy, fluffy, crispy and hardly a trace of oil!
All the criteria for excellent roti canai are met – what more can one ask? Yeah, except for a 2nd or 3rd piece… hehe!
I, of course, also had to test their Thosai. It passed the test too. Not oily, the thosai batter was perfectly made and grilled… and the accompanying coconut chutneys (2 types) were tasty enough – I hate bland chutneys!
Being the glutton that I am, I just cannot not have at least an accompanying dish to go with the rotis and thosais, right?
Try their Mutton Masala – it’s scrumptious!
Chunks of mutton cooked in a thick masala gravy – the spices have rendered the meat so flavourful and meltingly tender with none of the strong smell associated with mutton.
Ahhh… I’m keeping the best gem for last…
Yeah… it looked like just any ordinary harmless currypuff, right?
But… but…. it’s really one of the BEST currypuff I’ve ever had! Just look at that thin crispy pastry and the very generous amount of filling! And as you can see, it’s just not any old potato mush filling either. It’s got carrots, green chillies, a bit of dhall, potato of course & small chunks of chicken meat – all cooked in a very yummy masala paste. They were so good we re-ordered plates of it!
And for days after that, LL kept asking when we’re going back there again for the currypuffs 😉
So, on the days that you do not want to eat Bak Kut Teh in Klang/Port Klang, why not go for roti canai and currypuffs here…
Roti Canai Pandamaran (Restoran I.V)
117 Jalan Pandamaran Jaya 62
42000 Pandamaran Jaya
Port Klang
*the map to this place is Google-able!
J says
I want to go next time too – when? when? when??? 😀
PureGlutton says
J: OK, we shall go one day soon. We supposed to go for that BKT too, remember? Can u eat BOTH BKT and roti canai together? If can, we go for BKT, then onward to roti canai! LOL!
SimpleGirl says
this is a place I must drop by if I were there to visit my aunty, btw, Indian friend told me, there is no roti canai in India….I GUESS should b a Malaysian Indian creation
babe_kl says
gosh, lucky i'm not a big fan of roti canai else i will cry having to cross the borders (Sgor-WP-Sgor hehe) to have a fix! ermmm i think this year i only had one roti canai 😛
minchow says
Curry Puff Victory!! I am just absolutely dying for one for tea now! Have never really been a fan of roti canai either but there's a certain look about this joint…
J says
Wah. Maybe a few small bites at each place? Then maybe we can go the Hakka paikut place too! 🙂 🙂
worldwindows says
Only happen in Indian majority area. The spread from the food counter has the 'wow' factor.
"Joe" who is constantly craving says
ohhh in klang?
although roti canai r the way of life, i got to say, i havent been eating my fair share, if im right, i dont think i had roti canai this year yet!
Zen says
You know I stay in klang, right?…… include me next trip there, can?
PureGlutton says
Simple Girl: Oh, so this is your fave roti canai joint eh? 😉 Yeah, roti canai is sooo Malaysian!
PureGlutton says
Babe_KL: Are u sure you are M'sian ah, hehe!
PureGlutton says
minchow: Ooohh… a look of great potential huh? LOL!
PureGlutton says
J: Wahahaha… u wanna eat at 3 places in one go??! Can or not?
Well then, i think this calls for a KLANG FOOD CRAWL to be organised eh?!
PureGlutton says
worldwindows: You'd be surprised to know that 90% of the clientele at this shop is non-Indian! Seriously.
PureGlutton says
Joe: Yes it is in Port Klang 😉
PureGlutton says
Zen! Wahh, 1st time u comment in my blog, no?! LOL – sure, will take u along next trip!
Mavis says
Yup, went that place before, it's nice!
next time you come pandamaran, maybe can try this,
http://justmavislim.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-stories-pulau-ketam-style-nasi.html
http://justmavislim.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-stories-kali-little-garden.html
thule a.k.a leo says
hmmmm, let me see if it's viable to drive all the way to pandamaran just for a piece of roti canai 😛
CUMI & CIKI says
it their mutton masala the sort with a lot of cartilage and soft parts.. then i want some!! That's like my FAV sort of mutton man. Can die.
Jon says
Wah, for a Chinese, you really know your Indian food. I'm impressed. I have to agree that most roti canai sellers these days are half baked (pun intended). Difficult to find these 'old school' guys who stick to tradition and make nice crispy rotis. Thanks for the tip but Klang is a little too far away to travel fro roti canai. Bak kut teh or seafood on the other hand ……..
mimid3vils says
roti canai definitely a good supper but I'm on diet now!!!!
Life for Beginners says
Oh that roti looks really good… crispy and fluffy at the same time… Must bring Devil here for his fix one day. Thanks for the reccie! 😀
J2Kfm says
Eh, I did not manage to try the curry puffs, though I went for a second shot at the roti canai, thosai etc.
I like Indian style of curry puffs, with a very spicy and robust flavour. Different from the Malay and Chinese ones.
Anonymous says
The roti chanai is available in India specifically south india(tamil nadu). It called parotha . They have more vaiations there. The kothu roti(chopped roti channai) is very delicious. I am surprised it is not available in Malaysia as most of the cooks are from that part of the world.