It was a rainy Sunday morning in August when my friend took me and two other friends visiting from Washington DC to Curry Leaves Restaurant a Malaysian restaurant in Queens. I had but one request, “I’m hung-over, make it good.” Upon arrival to the Main Street station in Flushing, my friend, a native of DC, asked sardonically “Are we still in New York?” It’s easy to get confused, most if not all signs are in foreign languages. I assured my friend that we were indeed still in New York, albeit in one of its more distinct neighborhoods. We walked a few blocks away from the station to the small and cozy restaurant, where the staff greeted us with enthusiastic smiles and welcoming service.
image credit: http://www.hungryferret.com/
We sat down and ordered the Malaysian Roti Canai as an appetizer. Roti Canai is an Indian-influenced flatbread dish eaten in Malaysia and Indonesia. The roti itself is considered street food, much like bagels or pretzels are eaten in New York City. Served with a bowl of strong and savory chicken curry, we were all enamored with the dish. Trying desperately to make time stand still, we ate as slowly as possible, relishing each bite. In between bites, we sighed wistfully, knowing that soon the meal would end. Once we devoured the roti, a bittersweet craving set in. Finally, when our main courses came we decided to supplement them with even more roti canai. I found it a great companion to the spicy fried noodles I ordered. The portions were huge and at around $10 a platter, it felt like highway robbery. Filled to the brim halfway through the meal, I still managed to fit in one more bite of roti.
If you can’t make it out to Flushing for some delicious Roti Canai, maybe you can try some of the cuisine that inspired it at Curry Kitchen:
Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog
Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!
Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us on Facebook
Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book
We have roti where my mom is from because there is a strong Indian influence in the Caribbean but I have never heard of this exact dish. It sounds amazing and I’ll definitely have to put some money on my MetroCard and schlep to Flushing to find some.
I love visiting Flushing and eating all the delicious AND CHEAP food. Despite its far location (1 1/2 hour ride from brooklyn) The food really is worth it. I have tried out many stores but not this one and look forward to finding my new Malaysian spot since my previous one in Brooklyn shut down.
Yes, the trip to flushing is definitely worth it! There’s a bunch of shops and a mall with really cute clothes and accessories. The clothes and shoes run small though
Good luck! Malaysian food is delicious, I wish there were places like this closer to where I live. But if it’s good, the ride is worth it.
Love your outfit and I love how you can actlulay pull off the whole look with the umbrella! And I love the lace shorts because it add on the sweetness on your whole outfit
Oh I’m glad that you love Malaysian foods 
! Yeah Roti Canai is the one of the best foods in Malaysia and usually M’sians had it with a glass of Teh Tarik(hot Malaysia tea and ‘tarik’ means pull in Malay 
) during night at the mamak stall where the people usually chat after work and watch football match. I am a fellow Malaysian too so I know all this:D!