Banana Leaf in South Surrey — Restaurant in Surrey

While doing some shopping in South Surrey, B.C. we happened upon a cute restaurant, Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine. In addition to South Surrey, they have 4 other locations the greater Vancouver area (Robson, Broadway & Oak, Kitsilano, and Davie).

Up until this point, I had never tried Malaysian Cuisine, was always curious, but it just never happened. On a side note, I remember the first time I tried Thai food, back in Nashville when I was in my mid 30s. Odd that it took me that long and even odder considering I grew up in Brooklyn and New York City, the melting pot of the country. I didn't really have a concept of the distinction between different types of Asian food, my only point of reference was Chinese food. I remember being blown away upon that first time trying Thai food (and hooked ever since) and the experience was quite the same with my experience with Malaysian cuisine.

We meant to order two appetizers but through a miscommunication, actually ordered three, oops! It was a good problem to have. Between the appetizers and the main dishes, while each course was a generous serving, nothing was heavy or made me feel bloated in any way. At the same time, the flavors just seemed to burst, with very distinct and pleasing tastes while combined with beautifully decorative touches that were aesthetically appetizing!

The Eggplant Fries were really interesting. Personally, I find eggplant can be challenging to work, to get flavored just right and get cooked enough so it's not rough to eat but not cooked so much that it becomes mushy. Maybe it's just me but I do struggle with that at times. I found the fries to be a perfect balance between firm enough to warrant being called "fries" with just the right amount of chew, not too mushy.

The Spring Roll Lettuce Wraps were beautiful, creative and imaginative. You place the spring roll inside the lettuce along with the vibrant red cabbage, fold the lettuce and dip into the sauce chef's kiss

Both the Tofu Goreng appetizer and Tumeric Coconut Spinach were bursting with flavor. The Pineapple Fried Rice also had an amazing depth of flavor along with the beautiful presentation inside the pineapple.

Last, but definitely not least .. I've never had anything like their Mango Margarita. As clear to see in the picture, it's filled with fresh ripe whole mango pieces which really helped elevate this drink to the next stratosphere lol.

If this is what I can expect when eating Malaysian Cuisine, count me in for a repeat...

Was very excited that a Banana Leaf opened in South Surrey but waited a while because of mixed reviews. Decided to go tonight for my wife’s birthday dinner and get the 12-course tasting menu.

We started off by ordering drinks and the 12-course. The drinks took awhile but the restaurant was packed so we didn’t mind. Shortly after the drinks arrived, we received the first 3 courses. The Roti, Chicken Satay, and Mango Papaya salad. All three were super flavourful and delicious.

My wife ordered another drink but after 20 minutes we had to ask where it was and we saw the bartenders just standing around and talking. It then came 5 mins later.

After came the Scallops and Fried Oysters, which were good, followed shortly by the Mussels which were great. Portion sizes were small but maybe to be expected for a 12-course meal.

Then we received the Green Beans and the Sablefish. Green beans were good but cold. The sablefish was nice.

Next was the Beef Rendang and Chilli Prawns. Two really saucy dishes that would pair well with rice but there was no rice. After having to wait 10 mins to flag someone down, we asked if we could get rice and then they brought it. I was a bit disappointed in the Beef Rendang as the Vancouver locations are so much more flavourful and have a good spice level. This one was bland and not at all hot (temperature wise). The Prawns were delicious.

Then there was the lobster which was small but delicious and the sauce was really nice too.

After finishing these courses we were looking forward to dessert which sounded good. We waited 20 mins and then proceeded to try and flag someone down. Once we got attention it took another 25 mins to get dessert to the table. The Pisang Goreng just tasted of deep fried and the bananas and the ice cream had no flavour at all.

I’m pretty disappointed in the lack of caring when it comes to service at this place. You would constantly have to wave people down to get drinks or ask where the food was and you could see other tables showing the same signs of waiting fatigue, especially when we visibly saw staff standing around. I would just advise to spend the time and drive downtown to either location and you will get a much...

The service was horrible. 4 of us ordered 3 drinks and 6 dishes and they MISSED one order so we had 5 dishes and weren't full. They also didn't give us rice that was supposed to come with the chicken curry. We waited and tried to ask if the food was coming but got ignored to all staff. We were all annoyed and decided to leave. When we finally got a server's attention and got the bill, we told her our food didn't come out she said, "but this is enough right?" As if she was saying 'you guys ate a lot you don't need more food anyway'. No apology or asking if we still wanted it. So we told her we were a bit upset and she just ignored and said "do you want receipt?" And didn't say thank you or bye as well as other servers.

This location tasted the worst out of all Banana Leaf locations. It tasted bland and watery. Spices and sauces are different from other locations.

Proportions are too small. Our family don't eat a lot but food was so little. The curry was more like sauce on top than soup.

Each dish took so long to come out.

The minimum tip was 18% The card machine...

The staff were all racist. They checked on how the food was for other tables and they were all white. They had small talks with them but never came to our table. We weren't given any water and spoons for rice and curry but we had to wait till the food got cold to ask for spoons because every staff ignored us.

The menu online is different than the ones in the restaurant. Some menus don't exist.

As an Asian, I can tolerate the smell of most things but the restaurant and food smells awful I lost my appetite. Read reviews and realized I wasn't the only one.

I am ok with mistakes because it happens and I've been a witress before too. But the attitudes were unacceptable. I never wrote a review because of a bad experience. I also read other reviews and the food poisoning review. "There was no other reported food poisoning"? That is NOT an apology. Please eat at other Banana Leaf location. Don't...