A friend of ours recommended that we try SS Spicy Food as she claims they serve delicious South Indian food. I always drive past this humble spot but since I’m always in a hurry, I didn’t stop to peek at what’s inside the façade.
SS Spicy Food
Jien started by doing takeaway and we found the food enjoyable. Portion for takeaway is also quite large so a packet of rice with mutton varuval, chicken peratal and vegetable can feed two adults.
Best to go early to beat the lunch crowd
Food is cooked on the spot and served in chafing dishes
We decided to dine there to experience SS Spicy Food more completely. Also, I’m sort of trying to teach my little ones to eat at such places and indulge in spicy food – succession plan, I call it. So far, our second child seems to show the most potential in terms of stomaching curries and even rasam.
Chapati with chicken peratal
SS Spicy Food opens as early as 6.30am and in the mornings, breakfast staples such as poori, thosai and idli are available. I have yet to dine there in the morning but I did get lucky and scored some chapati when I went for lunch. Chapati (RM5 for two pieces) was already room temperature but it was still tasty with chicken peratal (RM6 per small portion).
Chicken peratal is one of the better ones I’ve eaten. Very homestyle too.
I like eating the chicken peratal at SS Spicy Food as the gravy has a good balance of spice and deep caramelisation from the onions. You also get decently sized chicken chunks, which I appreciate. They cook a pretty huge batch of chicken peratal so this can easily last till late afternoon.
Rice with chicken peratal, mutton curry and braised eggplant (RM19)
What’s limited is the mutton varuval, which you have to go early for. This one is spice-forward and the mutton pieces are tender and well-seasoned. I also like that it’s not overly oily so you’re not left with a layer of grease afterwards. There’s also mutton curry (in photo) which is also delicious.
Jien likes eating the deep-fried brinjal but I prefer the braised baby eggplant with lentils. The latter is comforting, like a mildly spicy curry blanket over white rice. Our 5 year-old likes this too, and she would eat at least half of my portion every time.
Banana flower porridge
I like the banana flower poriyal (RM3) as it’s crunchy with a good aroma from the toasted cumin and mustard seed. It gives the rice texture and flavour, without overpowering the other dishes on the plate.
Chicken biryani
Chicken biryani with yogurt vegetable and a scoop of peratal gravy
SS Spicy Food also serves a pretty good chicken biryani (RM14) and it’s a hot-selling item. The biryani is aromatic and rich in flavour – quite lemak too. This is tasty on its own, but I like to add some braised brinjal and mutton curry gravy for a deeper flavour.
Rasam is complimentary if you’re dining there
Rasam is available at the end of the food line and it’s complimentary when you dine in. I always look forward to it as it’s tangy, spicy and refreshing. A great palate cleanser after the rich and spicy curries.
Chicken biryani with braised eggplant (RM17) and rice with mutton curry, braised eggplant and egg omelette (RM17)
Prices aren’t exactly cheap but given the portion and also food quality (this is not mamak food)I feel it’s still acceptable. Like I wrote earlier, a takeaway packet of rice can easily feed two regular eaters. And I usually share my rice with my little girl.
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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Solid South Indian cooking. Try the chicken biryani too.
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SS Spicy Food
7 & 8, Root Path,
Village Attap,
56100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 012-902 9194
Business hours: 6.30am till 5.30pm
(4.30pm on Saturday & Sunday)
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