The Famous Roti Canai Pandamaran in Klang
June 2, 2010 | 18,545 views
Darting across the jam-packed restaurant spanning a few lots, this ‘macha’ clearly threw all caution to the wind, oblivious to the snapping camera, daggering stares, and erm ….. matter of hygiene.
Since I was ranting on a strong contender for Ipoh’s best chapati in my previous post, kindly allow me to follow up with this restaurant tucked in the midst of a residential area in Pandamaran of Klang. I.V. Restaurant is the name of the restaurant, and there is no doubt as to what they’re famous for.
The words ‘Roti Canai Pandamaran‘ was emblazoned on the apple green signboard, proudly/patriotically flagged (literally) with our beloved Malaysia’s and the state of Selangor’s flags in an alternating manner.
Good thing was, the Teh Tarik (Frothy Pulled Milk Tea – A Malaysia’s favourite beverage) was never earth-shatteringly sweet nor reeking of condensed milk. Rather, all the beverages at I.V. Restaurant were of reasonable level of sweetness. Possibly thanks to the largely Chinese clienteles?
I first read about this comparatively-obscure Halal Indian restaurant from Criz Lai’s blog. I did not think much of it, but after a good many extravagant Klang Bak Kut Teh meal for breakfasts, one can’t help but to seek for a simpler, fuss-free (preferably meat-less) breakfast.
And was I grateful enough for reading that post from Criz …. !!
Almost grease-less, the light, airy and crispy Roti Canai (or Paratha, as this Indian bread is known in some countries) is priced at RM1/USD0.30 per piece, and it’s money well-spent, really.
Instantly, we were awed. Shocked would be a better expression; at the sight of the massive crowd on a weekend’s morning. People were standing around impatiently, eyes glancing and not-so-politely staring at the patrons finishing their last sips of teh tarik, and some even took the liberty to park their derrieres on vacant seats, before the customers even finish their meal !!
“This Is Mad …” I silently whispered to myself. What’s interesting was the racial composition making up the breakfast crowd that morning. Almost more than 70% of the customers were Chinese! The other 30% were a mix of Malays, Indians, etc.
The Chapati was served with a dollop of soft, boiled (almost mashed) potatoes with onions, and a robust ‘sambal sardin’ At RM1.70/USD2 USD0.50 per piece, the piece of unleavened flat bread certainly did not come cheap, but the chapati was good enough to warrant an order or two.
Glancing around the madhouse that I.V. Restaurant had became that morning, I could see the other patrons digging into their packets of nasi lemak, or roti canai. So those two HAD to be good.
The still-warm packets of nasi lemak were placed on plastic plates, on most tables. Picking up a packet from your neighbouring table is not considered to be rude, so don’t hold back. Just DON’T pick from that person’s half-eaten one !!
The nasi lemak did not manage to impress me however. It was okay, with the usual quarter of a boiled egg, and sambal ikan bilis (anchovies in spicy sambal paste).
Clockwise from top left : Thosai, Roti Canai with a spoonful of sugar, Roti Bom and Roti Telur.
They were churning out roti canai like a full-fledged manufacturing factory. Six (6!!) staff were continuously working their magic on the hot griddle, stretching/rolling/flipping their way through the hundreds and thousands of roti canai everyday. This explains why the waiting staff may get impatient if you’re taking your own sweet time choosing from their not-so-extensive repertoire of Indian breads. It’s either roti canai or its several variations (Roti Telur – with Egg omelette, Roti Bom – An oilier version pan-fried with margarine and sugar, Roti Bawang – with Onions), Chapati or Thosai.
Idli and Vadai MAY be on their menu, on not-so-busy mornings maybe. But you can rest that thought if you’re there on a Sunday, and especially if you’re rather late for breakfast.
You can see how the staff were scrambling/jostling for the beverages to be served … no time for chit-chats, idling around doing nothings …..
Personally, I like the roti canai here. Crispy, light and airy, you can’t even see the ghee that goes into your lovely, fluffy bread. Although I admit that I have had better roti canai elsewhere, for I prefer my roti canai to be thicker, and redolent with greasy, buttery fragrance.
But I.V. Restaurant’s version of Roti Canai Pandamaran managed to satiate our cravings, at least until I can find that elusive “BEST EVER ROTI CANAI” that suits my palate …….
A Halal restaurant, manned by a sizeable group of Indian staff, catering to mostly Chinese patrons. 1Malaysia at work, people? 🙂
The Epitome of Malaysian Breakfast – Roti Canai with Dhal Curry and a glass of frothy Teh Tarik
Come to think of it, I wonder if any Ipohan(s) have tried, knew about, or remember that cheap, tasty and satisfying Roti Canai stall located at the former Super Kinta (Pasar Besar Ipoh)’s food court? Gosh …. how I long for that good old, nostalgic bite of delicious roti canai from that particular Indian stall ……
Roti Canai Pandamaran @ I.V. Restaurant (HALAL)
No 117, Jalan Pandamaran Jaya 62,
42000 Pandamaran Jaya,
Pelabuhan Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Click for a GOOGLE MAP to I.V. Restaurant.
“WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROTI CANAI STALL, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE?”
Why the photos of your roti canai looks so great one? The roti canai in my college sucks max.
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Ooh, I like the smattering of sugar all over that roti canai. Brings back memories of how I used to like my roti as a kid! 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Seldom I take my roti with sugar.
Forgot to mention here was that, at that time when they were busy serving the rotis all around, they neglected our ‘pleas’ for curries a while.
You know what? We ate the roti almost more than half without the gravy!
Goes to show how palatable the roti was eh?
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wow, how i wish Ipoh also have this type of marvelous roti canai….quite rare case, in fact
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
In Ipoh ah? There’s this roti telur that I kind of like, off Jalan Tun Razak opposite the cargo terminal. The place name is Goodshed. Let me get to the review soon.
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Greetings from Minnesota, USA where I’m hungrily looking at your wonderful photos and wishing I were back in Malaysia right now. Enjoying the chapati and roti entries you’ve put up. Keep up the good work so those of us who can’t be there in person can experience it vicariously!
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Hi there Spahkee.
I’m sure you can find a roti canai, nasi lemak, or cup of teh tarik somewhere there in the US? 🙂
Thanks for the visit.
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yeah… i like this type of roti canai.. haha.. nice.. nice… 🙂
btw, who’s the pretty in the pic?? hehe… ur gf?? 😛
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
Miss Bu Tei Zi … that was a stranger on the table. 🙂
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Really crowded here .. must be very tasty…
the super kinta roti canai? last time was at the top storey one, right? i used to go up to buy chap farm those days.. but didnt realize the roti canai there famous.. to me, all almost taste the same. 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
The roti canai at Super Kinta might not be famous, but sure brought back lots of memories.
I had his roti canai for breakfast almost every morning, when I was still a primary student.
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A large crowd indeed! The roti looks good too.
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wah i only know pandamaran got one very good bak kut teh by the roadside one.
not a fan of plain roti canai although i do like it with sugar rather than curry or dhal.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:44 am
You must be saying about the Ah Her BKT, in Pandamaran town.
Anyway, the row of stalls along the main road are rather famous, especially come dinner-supper hours.
I once had curry mee in claypots, and tong sui by the roadside there.
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Yeah, i love the the roti canai here as it is crispy and springy, plus add in the fish curry gravy and mmnnnn… best in the world.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:45 am
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that their curries were rather good, not the usual watery interpretation.
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Hey, your chapati price is incorrect. RM1.70 does not equals to USD2
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:46 am
Thanks lee for pointing that out. Corrected. 🙂
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The roti canai really DOES look light and flaky! Just the way I love it!! Aih too bad it’s quite far in Klang.. and at the RARE occasion that I’m in Klang, I’d prefer to go to the BKT than this. LOL! But the sugar on roti canai does bring back memories of how i used to eat it when I was young, still intolerant to spicy curry yet. 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
You can’t take spicy food? Hmm … but still manage to survive Kampar curry bread right? 🙂
Jokes aside, I know most people would go for Bak Kut Teh instead of the other measly fares when in Klang … but sometimes, these eateries get overshadowed unknowingly.
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Hi hi J2Kfm, u remind me that it’s been awhile since i last ate roti canai at mamak.. your picture is as great as usual.. the roti canai is so tempting, i feel like eating them too 😀
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aiyoyo… i havent eaten roti canai in a while… looking at your post…. drooling now!! how? how? my waistline gone case liao. hahahaha
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Never mind lah …. indulge once in a while? 🙂
I miss Karaikudi lah!
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Wahaha, takes a Ipoh guy to rave about a Klang roti canai joint – bravo! I have heard so much about this place but have yet to try it. I went there once at night but they’re not open at night! Sheesh… where got roti canai shop not open at night one??!
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:16 pm
They’re not opened at night? Oh … haha, thanks for pointing that out. I would have thought that they’re opened for 24 hours.
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i like the roti chotek in kota bahru, but roti canai..a darn good one? hmmm, not yet gwa. those in terengganu and kelantan are good as their kuah’s really yummy wth the rotis.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Roti Chotek? Oh … I have not tried that before when I was in KB.
I would have believed that the east coast’s rendition of curries would be delish, leaning more towards Malay style of curries. Maybe something like the Pengkalan Hulu in Perak version :
http://www.j2kfm.com/pengkalan-hulu-breakfast-curry-mee-roti-canai-nasi-lemak/
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I like these airy and thin type of roti canai
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Yupe! Roti canai is indeed our trademark breakfast. 😀
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wow even a roti canai could be so awesome here! ;D
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Abt the Goodshed at ICT, dont know if they had closed down , i find them closed for the past 3 weekend when i passed by , and the place look desserted ! Now i will have to go to Cameron Highland for a good roti-canai , cant find one i really like in Ipoh.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:30 pm
They’re CLOSED?!!! Oh no …. bad luck spate all around!
I have not even gone to the extend of rambling about closing eateries in old town …. it’s getting from bad to worse.
Cameron Highlands ALL THE WAY?! Aiyo …. too far lah.
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my fren from Klang did told me about this place but i’m not much of a roti canai person
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ahhh, i miss roti canai with sugar..been long long time didnt eat in that version d~
so best loh..i think should try out this place liau
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Dun ever try tis roti canai at I.V Restaurant in Pandamaran. Serious !!!!!! Its only flaky plus the dhal & curry fish are so watery… U cant even find a single bean of dhal. Those staff are yelling from one corner to another like pasar malam… Nothing special & any single mamak stall can beat it. It’s totally not worth travelling all the way to tis I.V Restaurant. ” Puih ….
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Hi babe.
Actually, yes. You’re half right. The dhall leaves less to the imagination, being diluted and nothing special.
But the curries were good. At least better than most being served at mamak stalls.
Only flaky? But roti canai IS supposed to be flaky, aint’ it not?
There are those that are thicker, with a fuller body and a tastier dough (much from the ghee, no doubt), but some might prefer this crispier and lighter version.
Service wise, I don’t expect impeccable level, but still …. since the shop occupies 2-3 lots, and they are constantly crowded, they have to yell to get their orders across; to reduce waiting time for the customers.
But thanks for your feedback.
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[…] Credit to: http://www.j2kfm.com/roti-canai-pandamaran-klang-iv-restaurant/ […]
I tried Restoran I.V. after much hype about its roti canai. I always believe that a way to judge roti canai is to assess the following:
1. Crispiness = Rating 7/10
2. Balance of oil and texture (i.e., should be too elastic) = Rating 4/10
3. Taste (shouldn’t be too salty) = Rating 4/10
4. Aroma from the flour and oil (freshness) = Rating = 3/10
I was disappointed by what I thought would be the best roti canai. Fellow roti canai lovers – there are much better roti canai restaurants in Klang. This place is over-rated. I wouldn’t go back again.
If you are going try restaurant I.V. please check the above four criteria. And then compare it for example with another restaurant such as Tetra and Mr Mamak in Bukit Tinggi – you wouldn’t be too impressed.
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