What Is Banana Leaf Rice?

Banana leaf rice is a popular and traditional meal in South India and Malaysia which is served on a banana or plantain leaf. The long green leaves are laid down as a surface on which to eat, and white rice is served in the center, then surrounded with side dishes that are typically vegetarian. The meal is often served for lunch or dinner in restaurants or mamak stalls, or it is part of a traditional feast called a Sadya.

When prepared as Sadya, which means banquet, banana leaf rice is eaten to celebrate special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, and marriages. White rice is placed on a banana or plantain leaf and various vegetarian curries and salads are served around it, as well as yogurts and sweet dishes. The banana leaf is said to release a natural aid to digestion.

The curries that come with banana leaf rice are served with a flatbread called papadum. Dishes include spicy tomato and cucumber salads, pickles, pumpkin seasoned with ginger, fried okra, deep fried onions, and many other multiple-ingredient dishes. Coconut milk is used extensively in the recipes and cooking. Slightly different combinations of ingredients are used in different restaurants, home recipes, and cities.

Traditionally, diners would sit on the floor to eat Sadya, but this is now less common. On the banana leaf, each food item is placed in a specific location. The food is also traditionally eaten with one's hands. Less ritual and etiquette surrounds the meal when it isn't part of a formal occasion. Outside of its formal context, it has become a popular dish throughout South Asia.

In restaurants and mamak stalls in some cities, banana leaf rice is a specialty. In other cities, it's a common menu item. In addition to the traditional vegetarian preparations, it often includes meat and fish. Curry chicken, mutton, and fish can be ordered separately, or they might come with the meal. Sometimes a fast-food counter allows one to create his or her own leaf. In some western countries, diners can use regular plates and cutlery if they prefer.

Historically, Sadya or banana leaf rice was a community event in which everyone in a given neighborhood contributed to the preparation. Neighbors might contribute different dishes and take turns serving each other. These practices have largely been replaced by professional catering, and in some cases, such as events for large groups, catering companies have replaced the banana leaf with representative paper or plastic replicas. At the end of a meal, one shows appreciation for the food by folding the banana leaf towards oneself.