Mallu's Corner.NZ Indian Restaurant & Catering Hamilton — Restaurant in Hamilton

I visited Mallu's Corner with my long-time friend on April 11, 2024. It was my first outing after something very bad happened in my life. After our purchase, we decided to try some Kerala food. Upon checking, Mallu's Corner had a 4.9 rating, so we decided to give it a shot.

For snacks, we ordered an egg puff, which was tasty with a crispy coating, definitely recommended, and a chicken roll, which was simply superb with a pepper masala type filling that satisfied our taste buds completely, a must-try item.

However, our main orders were disappointing. The chicken varutharacha curry lacked adequate seasoning; I had to ask for extra salt to add any flavor to it. I wouldn't recommend it. The beef fry was better compared to the chicken curry, but it still didn't provide complete satisfaction. While it contained all the ingredients like coconut pieces and onion slices and matched the color, the masala part needed improvement.

The parotta was a letdown as well. It was thick and flaky, unlike the thin and soft parottas I've had before. Additionally, the top portions were burned. Ordering six, we could hardly eat one parotta each, and even attempting to share one was a failure. We left most of it uneaten on the plate.

The restaurant is budget-friendly; we paid only $62 for everything. If they can improve the taste of their dishes, it would be a great place to enjoy affordable Kerala food.

Apart from the snacks, we weren't satisfied with any of the main dishes. We ended up packing half of the food to take home.

The customer care was top-notch. Everyone we interacted with provided complete information about themselves and the restaurant, and we received excellent attention from the employees.

Overall, I would give them 3 stars. Hopefully, they will work on improving...

Honest Review: The food here is authentic, especially if you enjoy traditional South Indian Kerala-style dishes. The weekend buffet curries truly stand out with rich, home-style flavours. The biryani is also impressive and quite close to what you'd find in central Kerala regions like Ernakulam, Thrissur, or Kottayam.

However, the quality can vary if you're ordering a single curry dish on a weekday or weekend (outside the buffet). Often, the curries come with too much oil and gravy, lacking the depth of flavour you'd expect from freshly made dishes. The preparation doesn’t feel as refined—more like a rushed or overly oily version that misses the mark.

That said, Ginil and the team provide excellent service at the counter. They've been around the Hamilton area for quite some time and have a solid reputation, especially for catering within the Malayali community. On the downside, the restaurant's ambience could be improved. Not much has been invested in interior decor. On multiple visits, I’ve noticed catering equipment, vegetable crates, and used pots left in the corners of the restaurant. The strong odour from the kitchen or the nearby grocery section also negatively affects the dining experience.

Some local Kiwi friends I brought along enjoyed the food, but commented on the overpowering smell and cluttered setting. These detract from what could have been a great dine-in...

We drove down from Auckland to try the Sunday lunch buffet at Mallus Corner in Hamilton, and it was absolutely worth the trip! The buffet was fantastic – fresh, flavourful, and offering a great variety of authentic Kerala dishes. A special mention to the lovely girl at the reception, whose warm welcome and excellent service made the experience even better. Highly recommend Mallu’s Corner for anyone craving genuine...