Acha Curry House — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

Despite having moved from its original location in Bukit Gasing to a quiet corner in Jalan SS2/4A for about 2 years, I was totally unaware of its new location, though I normally transverse the hyper busy stretch of Jalan SS2/3 at least twice a week for over 10 years now! The new restaurant, located at the other end of The Montanic Adventure Store, is bright, airy and is clean and rather well organized, considering the normally crowded conditions during lunch time. As soon as you are seated, you will be given with a freshly-cleaned banana leaf. The rice person appears next with a choice of either normal white rice or brown rice. I opted for the brown rice. Soon after the rice (choose as much as you like) is poured onto the leaf, they will provide the containers with the pickles and cooked spinach. A four-container carrier is left on the table with 4 choices of vegetable; pumpkin, cabbage, long beans and bean sprouts. Scoop as much as you want is the rule of the house. A four-curry container is also set down with fish, salted fish, crab and chicken curries. The man with the papadum is next, leaving a piece (or two) of the delectable crunchy and light crackers. Up to this point it is the standard vegetarian banana leaf set (RM9). Sides are offered. Do choose the sambal ikan bilis (RM1) and whatever meat or fish you fancy. The four curries on offer have their own distinctive taste and spiciness, though free flowing. The consistency of it is thick and quality good. Taste is rather complex and not diluted unlike some Indian shops where they serve diluted dhal and other curries that come with the roti canai (for example). Do try the crab curry, it is god on its own, but I find that it brings out the nuances and intermixes with the fish curry rather well. The sambal ikan bilis was good. Caramalised and crispy, though a tad spicy. I also order the fried chicken, which I found to be ok. The service level here is very good, the staff seems to be very happy on their job and smiles a lot. Makes dining here a pleasant occasion. I noticed the “boss” sitting at the corner of the shop observing the goings on and when he noticed that the parking on the side was almost full (this one had was shaded from the late morning sun, thus was the preferred spot to park), he “ordered” one of the (who had parked her motor-cycle on an empty car lots) so that another customer (perhaps) can enjoy the shade while dining. Tell you a lot...

Acha Curry House, a cozy little Indian restaurant tucked away in the heart of the city, is a hidden gem for lunchtime indulgence. With its limited but delectable lunch menu, Acha Curry House has mastered the art of satisfying cravings for authentic Indian flavors. Their standout dish, the ikan bilis sambal, is a culinary masterpiece that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.

Upon entering Acha Curry House, you are greeted with warm smiles and a vibrant atmosphere that immediately transports you to the bustling streets of India. The friendly staff are more than willing to guide you through their menu, ensuring you have an unforgettable dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the ikan bilis sambal. This dish is a symphony of flavors, combining perfectly cooked ikan bilis (anchovies) with a spicy sambal sauce that strikes a harmonious balance between heat and tanginess. Each bite is a burst of umami goodness, leaving you craving for more. Paired with fragrant basmati rice and a side of crunchy papadum, it's a match made in culinary heaven.

While the ikan bilis sambal steals the spotlight, Acha Curry House also offers a variety of other tantalizing dishes. Their chicken biryani is fragrant and aromatic, with tender pieces of marinated chicken nestled among the flavorful basmati rice. The butter chicken is another must-try, with its creamy tomato-based sauce that complements the succulent pieces of tandoori chicken.

The portions at Acha Curry House are generous, and the prices are reasonable, making it an excellent value for money. The restaurant's limited lunch-only schedule adds to its allure, creating an exclusive dining experience that is cherished by both locals and visitors.

The only slight drawback is the limited seating capacity, which can make it challenging to secure a table during peak lunch hours. However, the exceptional food and warm hospitality more than make up for any inconvenience.

In conclusion, Acha Curry House is a treasure trove for Indian food lovers. From the divine ikan bilis sambal to the aromatic biryanis and creamy butter chicken, this restaurant delivers an authentic and unforgettable dining experience. So, if you find yourself craving for a delightful Indian lunch, make sure to visit Acha Curry House and prepare to be transported on a flavorful journey through the...

I patronized their shop at the old place at least 3 times and tapao once for family, and I was raving about it to friends. Brought some colleagues to try too. The food then was so good, especially the anchovy sambal and fried chicken. The atmosphere of the shop and the attitude of the operators were very welcoming. It felt like a family owned shop. After they moved to the new shop, I patronized once with colleagues. However, the food at the new place was totally off. Rice was cold, the anchovy sambal tasted different. Everything was not right. And the manager, waiters and the atmosphere there seemed very distant and commercialized....like a fast food rhythm. Very clumsily and very simply managed, unlike at the old place.

I decided to try this place again today (after last visit 7 months ago) with a colleague. Hopefully they have improved and got back on track. Unfortunately (and sadly) it's still the same, or maybe worse. The anchovy sambal was terrible. It used to be so crunchy and soooo good that you would wanna "tambah" and pay for it. Now, the sambal totally can't make it. It's so soggy and taste was totally not right. My colleague who also loves the sambal commented that he chew until it was tiring to the jaw. I also noticed it has some kind of sourish smell like it has turned bad when server scoop onto the banana leave - but it didn't taste so. Rice was lumpy and not hot. Curry was bland even after mixing all the curries available including the salted fish curry. The vegetable spread used to be quite tasty too. The chicken was not as tasty and well marinated like before. And, they give you just one piece of pappadam now.

And they are really operating like a fast food chain...my colleague haven't even finished his tea and the waiter came and quickly remove our plates and all. This should be our last...