Food: Passage Thru India restaurant

Ah here I go again…. blogging about food without pictures. I was at dinner with friends and its rude (in my humble opinion) to whip out your camera and force everyone to “stop eating!” just so I can pad up my blog with pictures. I’ll take pictures the next time I go there… for there will be a next time!

Passage thru India is a (surprise! surprise!) Indian restaurant situated in Kuala Lumpur opposite the RHB Bank building and next to the Indonesian embassy. When you come down Jalan Tun Razak towards KLCC, it’ll be on your left before you go into the underpass. Cannot miss it - its a converted bungalow with a large compound so parking is no problem at all.

When you enter, you’ll be escorted through into the restaurant by Indians, to keep it authentic. Make sure you follow them though because the lighting is dim, and its a bit of a maze because of all the pillars and various hanging cloth decorations.

The lighting in the interior is kept low. Wise, because if it was any brighter, the place would just look tatty and tacky. I noticed paint peeling off the walls, and the colourful hanging decorations looked a bit faded.  The tables and chairs are utilitarian. I was rather surprised as I expected something slightly more “plush”. Instead the tables are the usual 4 seater rubberwood variety that you get at some smaller cafes.

I always thought it was called “Passage to India” ala EM Foster’s book, until I saw the sign properly yesterday - thru India. And it is indeed a passage through India! The food on the menu is mainly Moghul cuisine (Northen Indian) which I happen to enjoy. You don’t get Moghul food at the mamaks anyway.

When you are seated, you will be served a basket of spiced papadums with some green sauce (mint?!) . Very nice and crispy although a tad salty. Eating it with the sauce helps though.

The menu is rather extensive with food from Nothern India and South India (Tamil Nadu). From experience, Northern Indian food is usually less spicy but has more subtle flavours whereas southern indian food tends towards curries and spiciness.

We had :-

• Chicken Pagoda (or so I thought it said) - pieces of chicken battered in a tandoori like batter and fried. Tasty and juicy.  
• Pilaf Rice - must eat! Its not oily and is full of flavour.
• Naan - I tried only the garlic naan though there was also plain and cheese versions. Large pieces and thin and crispy without a strong garlic taste.
• Mutton Masala (I think) - excellant stuff! A bit spicy but full of flavour and the mutton wasn’t tough
• Chicken in a kurma-like dish - I’m not sure but it came in a dish with a greeny sauce that looks like kurma. It wasn’t spicy and went very well with the naan
• Spicy Chicken - This was a spicy dish. Chicken pieces cooked with red and green chillies. Not for the faint hearted or weak stomached!
• Aloo Gobi - Dry potatoes and cauliflower cooked with spices. This was very very nice!
• Chick peas - I missed out on trying this, but everyone who did said it was very tasty. It looked tasty and would go well with naan as its got a sauce.

To be fair, the prices weren’t as expensive as I anticipated. Each portion of the main meal ranged from between RM14-18. The portions aren’t very large, but yet are too much for 1 person to finish, so its best you order to share. Going in a big group is great as you get to try more stuff. The rice and naans are large portions though so be careful when ordering those!

You are served food on a banana leaf which makes for an unusual and authentic touch, and makes it easier to clean up for the restaurant too, I bet! You are given forks and spoons so don’t fear. However, feel free to use your hands if you feel like it! 

Another recommendation I’d have is for the mango lassi (RM6 I think) yougurt drink. It is thick and full of mango flavour unlike some thin runny versions I’ve tasted. Having lassi with your Indian meal is also a good idea as the milk in the yogurt will temper the spiciness of the food and help it settle better on your stomach.

The place was quite empty when we arrived at about 8pm without a reservation. However, it filled up quickly thereafter and was nearly full at one stage! In-house music is courtesy of a 2-man band playing a tabla and a sitar (I think). It was pleasent and different and the lilting melodies help ease you into the mood and the ambiance.

I’ll go back again because I know my Dad likes Moghul food. And its great finding a place that won’t burn too large a hole in my wallet!

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