Gem Restaurant PJ — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

Since arriving in Malaysia, we've been having Indian fare from various Mamak stalls across PJ. Can't say we've enjoyed most that we've visited, coz we always ended up incredibly thirsty, meaning there were heaps of MSG used, except for the super-popular Vishal Food & Catering in Bricksfield. (BTW, my hubby and I do love MSG...) 😉

On a hunt for a good Butter Chicken, we decided on GEM after reading nice reviews about it. Oddly located along a large carriageway, and next to what we discovered was another local Indian-popular banana leaf restaurant called Lotus, my hubby and I gorged ourselves with some great Indian restaurant fare recommended by a throng of very attentive waiters.

Apart from Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh, we can't remember half of the names of the Indian dishes we had, apart from their origins--Hyderabad, Chettinand, Kasuri, etc. The quintessential Ghee Pilao and plain Naan, and a never-had-before Hyderabad Pilao (vegetable and fruits), were nothing short of amazing, absorbing the rich curry gravies, making every bite a wonder. 😋😋😋

Can't say the Butter Chicken was the same as the one we've always savoured in the UK, but it wasn't as bad as a handful we had tried at other Mamak joints. We did complain about our Rogan Josh tasting burnt, but GEM was kind enough to supplement a new one for us to take home at no cost, even though we had nearly finished it.

Hours after dinner at GEM, there was no heartburn or extreme thirst.

We will definitely return...

The Unexpected Joy of Palak Paneer . When my mum asked the restaurant owner for sambal, he politely refused. Instead, he told us, “Naan without curry and dhal is food without soul.” Bold words — and with that, he recommended we try something new: palak paneer, a green spinach curry. . Honestly, it didn’t even look like curry. Dark green, thick, and unfamiliar — it was the last thing we’d pick. But we’re so glad we did. It turned out to be flavorful, rich, and deeply satisfying. To anyone new to Indian cuisine: don’t let the green color fool you. This dish is a hidden gem. . Then there’s the mint sauce — a neon green burst on the plate. Its sharp, zesty kick adds a whole new dimension to the meal. That color? A culinary exclamation mark. . The naan? Not the best we’ve ever had, but still warm, soft, and comforting. Good enough that we finished every bite. . Will we come again? You already know the answer. Will we recommend it to friends — or strangers? Absolutely. That’s why this review...

We threw a birthday party for our dad here last weekend, and it was awesome! They have this private dining area on the top floor that can fit around 50 people. We booked in advance, and the manager was super cool about letting us use that space.

The food was fantastic! The portions are a tad smaller than what you get at their other place, Jaipur Mahal, but the quality and authenticity were just spot on. Everything tasted amazing.

Service was on point too. The staff were really attentive and made sure everything went smoothly. Plus, they had some sweet deals like "buy 2 biryanis, get 1 free," and we got some extra discounts by scanning a QR code for a promo code.

All in all, it was a great experience. Definitely a top pick if you're looking to celebrate something special or just in the mood for some...