Fruits and leaves growing on a banana tree.
Banana leaf rice is a popular and traditional food in South India and Malaysia, served in a banana or plantain leaf. Long green leaves are laid out as an eating surface, and white rice is served in the center, then surrounded with side dishes that are typically vegetarian. The food is often served for lunch or dinner at restaurants or mamak stalls, or is part of a traditional feast called Sadya.
White rice is the main ingredient in banana leaf rice.
When prepared as Sadya, which means party, banana leaf rice is eaten to celebrate special occasions such as parties, birthdays, and weddings. White rice is placed on a plantain or plantain leaf and various vegetarian curries and salads are served around it, as are yogurts and sweet dishes. Banana leaves are said to be a natural aid to digestion.
The curry that comes with the banana leaf rice is served with a flatbread called papadum. Dishes include spicy tomato and cucumber salads, pickles, ginger-spiced squash, fried okra, fried onions, and many other multi-ingredient dishes. Coconut milk is widely used in recipes and in cooking. Slightly different combinations of ingredients are used in different restaurants, home recipes, and cities.
Traditionally, customers sat on the ground to eat Sadya, but now it is less common. On the banana leaf, each food is placed in a specific place. Food is also traditionally eaten with the hands. Less ritual and etiquette involves food when it is not part of a formal occasion. Outside of its formal context, it has become a popular dish in South Asia.
In restaurants and mamak stalls in some cities, banana leaf rice is a specialty. In other cities, it is a common menu item. In addition to the traditional vegetarian preparations, it usually includes meat and fish. Curried chicken, lamb and fish can be ordered separately or can be served with the meal. Sometimes a fast food counter allows you to create your own sheet. In some Western countries, customers can use regular plates and cutlery if they prefer.
Historically, Sadya or rice in banana leaves was a community event where everyone in a given neighborhood contributed to the preparation. Neighbors can contribute different dishes and take turns serving each other. These practices have largely been superseded by professional catering, and in some cases, such as large group events, caterers have replaced the banana leaf with representative paper or plastic replicas. At the end of the meal, appreciation for the food is shown by folding the banana leaf towards it.