Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Banana Leaf

    3.7 (826 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Waitlist - Banana Leaf

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Banana Leaf Reservations

    Order Banana Leaf Takeout or Delivery

    Banana Leaf Photos

    Business Info

    BANANA LEAF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Banana Leaf

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Theertha D.

    This is cute spot in Chinatown, Philadelphia. The staff were welcoming and the service was prompt! I got the Lychee Drink, Nasilemak, Roti Canai, and Pad Thai with Tofu. Everything was delicious and the flavor were so unique. The Nasilemak tasted similar to a South Indian dish and it felt like home while eating that. Lychee Drink was a bit too sweet but still pretty good. Definitely will be going back to try more.

    Pad Thai, Hainanese Chicken
    Miranda L.

    A friend recommended it as a restaurant to try in the area and we came over for dinner as a party of two. We got seated immediately and they had a variety of Malaysian items on the menu that had a little of everything and ones similar to other Asian cuisine dishes. Roti Canai - The piece of roti was huge, a big portion for 2 people which we enjoyed. The curry was light and a little sweet paired with the thin and chewy roti. Pad Thai - A very classic dish. It was mildly spicy which gave a good kick and it had the classic flavors being sour, sweet, savory and nutty at the same time. The noodles were a nice texture with the crunchier bean sprouts, the tender shrimp and chewy tofu. We also tried the Hainanese Chicken which was a bit different than what we were used to but it was still tender and soft. A solid place for dinner in the Chinatown area if you're wanting to get some different dishes.

    Banana Leaf Pad Thai
    Angelica L.

    Went here to try Malaysian food! I ordered the pad Thai and was able to make it vegan, but I did not expect it to be so spicy!! Next time, I'll ask for modification on the spice. The fried tofu in the pad Thai was amazing: crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, very satisfying to eat. I also ordered veggie dumplings, which were nothing special. I was really disappointed to find out that the roti canai has egg in it, so I was sad that I couldn't enjoy the roti canai starter but I should have looked more into it. I also ordered lychee drink which was amazing: sweet, refreshing, had lychee in it which I appreciated. Overall, food was hot and fresh but the spice was too much for me personally! This place seems pretty well established, run well, clean, and service was very attentive: my server reassured me which dishes were vegan which was so amazing and helpful. Would def recommend if you ever want to try Malaysian!

    Angie B.

    I am surprised I've never written a review for this place! This has been around a while! I remember when they came on the scene (2006?) and they have continued to be dependable and delicious! My youngest and I were doing some Christmas shopping at The Fashion District and she spotted this on our walk to the mall and said she would like to try it! I was more than happy to oblige. I always have a good experience here, food and service. She ordered beef and noodles and I ordered nasi lemak. Both dishes were so good but a must order every time you come here is the roti canai; flaky bread with curry dipping sauce. So good! If you want a dependable place with consistent good Malaysian food, stop in at Banana Leaf. You won't be sorry! (BYOB! )

    Payal P.

    Banana leaf is my go to for Malaysian food in Philadelphia. The prices here are really good and the quality is amazing as well. When we went, it was very empty. We got our menus and asked for what items we wanted from the menu pretty quickly. We decided to get a homemade roti canai, appetizer mix, mama chicken, and banana leaf sizzling Japanese bean curds. I didn't care much for the roti in the roti canai. The roti was really tough and not cooked right. The liquid sauce that had the chicken was pretty good. I did wish it was spicier however. The appetizer mix has an amazing peanut sauce for the chicken satay. I also really liked the quality of the chicken in the satay. The spring rolls were also good- it tasted pretty freshly fried. The fried tofu was something I have never tried and I really enjoyed it as well. The mamas chicken is a must have! It was so thin and crispy. It was delicious. I didn't care much for the banana leaf sizzling Japanese bean curds. I didn't like the pork or the salted fish in this dish. It tasted kind of funny. I did like the size of shrimp in this, dish however. The dessert was to die for. We got the fried ice cream. I really like how they used Bassetts Ice Cream and how it was deep fried. I also liked the jelly they used with the dish (it tasted homemade).

    Banana Leaf Mango Sauce
    Shivank V.

    The moment you walk into the restaurant, you'll feel like you are in Malaysia. The combination of synthetic and natural lighting works very well. The server was polite and very patient with us. They have an open kitchen where you could see how the magic is done. Personally, I prefer savory over sweet, but after tasting the Banana Leaf Mango Sauce, I am reconsidering my choices from now on.

    Menu
    Jessica L.

    Service is okay - ran like a family shop vibes. Our server was quite nice. We ordered: Kang kung belcan: made with I think shrimp paste.. it was good however there was a strange after taste.. Beef rendang: quite disappointing the beef was dry and lacked flavor Roti canai: the roti itself was very good it was crispy chewy and soft. But the curry chicken was watery and lacked any sort of taste. Satay: best thing we ordered the chicken one is a bit better than the beef and the peanut sauce was good.

    Thai Basil Noodles
    Michelle H.

    Banana Leaf serves Malaysian food in Chinatown. It is a fairly spacious restaurant and the service is pretty quick. I went during off hours, but I am sure it is busier in the afternoon or evening. I also thought the pricing for dishes was not too bad either. I got the Thai Basil Noodles. I only got it with chicken as opposed to chicken and shrimp as I did not want shrimp. I had no idea what the dish was going to taste like. I honestly thought it would taste like pad kee mao or pad see ew, but it was more of a drier taste, kind of like a beef chow fun. I wanted more sauce on the noodle as I felt like the flavor was lacking in the overall dish. It tasted a bit burnt and it was not for me. In hindsight, I should have ordered a Malaysian dish as this is what the restaurant specializes in, so that is something I would consider if I came back here.

    Nasi lamek
    Catherine M.

    Located in Chinatown Philly, this tucked away spot was very busy on a Friday night! They brought out my order almost immediately but after waiting 10 mins, we still did not have my husband's entree. Not sure if the order was misplaced but after asking our server they were finally able to bring it out a few minutes later. I ordered the Nasi Lamek with rendang chicken. It was delicious home cooking. The bone in chicken thighs were moist and the sauce was deliciously seasoned. Rendang is considered a dry curry so less liquid than your typical curry. Paired with the cucumber and boiled egg, it kind of reminded me of a Vietnamese dish, thit kho but with chicken instead of pork. My husband ordered the calamari. Unfortunately it was overcooked and dry. The slices were thin so that all you could taste was the flour breading that it was fried in. After the long wait, it just added insult to injury.

    Beef rendang
    Vy T.

    The roti was really good! I was surprised at how much they gave me. For once I thought the roti was better than the curry that it came with. It had a nice fragrant of rice, water, salt, and sweetness to it that I've never experienced before for roti, even in Malaysia! It was crispy and thin. Very very good! The curry that paired with it is standard and tasty, but I didn't find myself finishing it since I ate the roti on its own all the way through. The beef rendang was a bit disappointing. It was kind of bland and didn't come with enough curry sauce. Service was quick and friendly though!

    Crispy Pork Intestines (top) Sizzling Japanese Bean Curd Appetizer Sampler  Nasi Lemak (bottom)

    See all

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sar A.
    1316
    843
    11414

    11 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy K.
    566
    754
    1040

    18 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vi V.
    15
    127
    164

    19 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G R.
    0
    30
    0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Calvin T.
    10
    13
    59

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan W.
    362
    128
    1038

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Luba P.
    317
    479
    1877

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erin M.
    3
    66
    28

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Great food but very slow service. Waited 40 minutes for someone to take our order. Seems understaffed.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan R.
    197
    998
    4569

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff H.
    243
    1387
    9334

    9 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Their Indian pancakes and fried chicken are to die for, I've been coming here for over 10 years and it never changes. It's amazing

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim B.
    0
    227
    290

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Es K.
    19
    121
    245

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joy T.
    36
    1
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 5 of 21

    Ask the Community - Banana Leaf

    Not halal confirmed with a visit?

    It is not halal. It is Malaysian cuisine, but it is absolutely incredible, and you won't regret trying!

    Is it easy to find a parking nearby?

    Yes paid parking close

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Penang

    Penang

    3.7
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I really love Penang, and I honestly think that people who don't like it just haven't ordered the…read moreright dishes. Their tofu curry is, hands down, the best homie vegetarian meal in Philly. It's incredibly flavorful, comforting, and feels like true home cooking. It's such a simple dish, yet very packed with flavors. I've even dined here with meat-eaters who said they preferred it over the restaurant's meat dishes and thought it was the best item on the menu. I also highly recommend the roti canai. It's another simple dish that's full of flavor, and the curry dipping sauce is absolutely delicious. This time we also ordered the fish with the sweet and sour sauce, and it was very good. The sauce had a great balance of tangy and sweet without overpowering the fish. Penang isn't a trendy or particularly a "cute" restaurant, and the service isn't exceptional. But if you're going for the food, it's absolutely worth a visit- especially if you're vegetarian.

    We had originally planned a 15 person reservation for tonight and the tables were ready upon our…read morearrival for our 6:30 resy. Due to last minute additions we were at about 19. They were able to accommodate which was great and very kind because I know this is not typical. From there they took our orders in a timely fashion and water pitchers were provided. From there it seemed the food took forever (expected for a big group) but it came out in distinct stages. One of our tables had their food and were finished before the next received entrees. From the time we ordered around approximately 7-7:15pm, our table of 6 respectively from our group did not receive their entrees until 8:30pm. However the beef chow fun was delicious and we scarfed it down asap. I understand waiting extended times for large parties, but to see smaller tables come in (3-4 people) and leave before we had our entrees was disappointing. Since the food was still overall good I'd like to come back with a smaller group and try some other menu items.

    Photos
    Penang
    Mee Siam
    Mee Siam
    Penang

    See all

    Kampar Philly

    Kampar Philly

    3.4
    (45 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Sadly haven't been to Kampar yet. But after trying them out at the Philly Inquirer Event, this will…read morebe the restaurant I check out when they finally come back to their location (this place is temporarily closed due to a fire). They had this amazing Malaysian pulled milk tea called Teh Tarik and Kaya Toast. The Teg Tarik was sweet but not too sweet. It was interested how they stirred the tea similar to in India where they move it from one container to another in a juggling type fashion. The Kaya Toast was crispy and had this amazing coconut custard in the middle.

    Writing this review very late ... our dinner at Kampar was actually the night before their fire! So…read moreglad we snuck in before the tragedy, and we're hoping they are able to reopen soon. Kampar is close to home, so it's been on our list for a while, especially since our Malaysian cuisine experience is scant. We easily made reservations with friends for a Friday night. The reservation process is a little confusing since you can make res for downstairs or upstairs; the downstairs area features rotating chefs and their cuisines vs the upstairs area is true Kampar. We were happy to dine in the upstairs dining room, which had great ambience and vibes. It was dark and moody with simple candles and artwork around, plus a chill playlist. Our server was helpful in walking us through the menu and providing suggestions on number of dishes, etc. We started off with drinks. I love how their menu was separated into various types of drinks (light & bright, spirit forward, fun & fundamental, etc.), and I was blown away by all the unique pairings in each drink. It was a tough decision, but I opted for the Karbonat, which featured beet, sweet potato, and mandarin flavors - it was so fun and delicious! For round 2, I went for the coconut clarified whiskey tarik, loving the inclusion of banana leaf and Japanese vermouth. All my dining partners also really enjoyed their drinks, having a mixture of cocktails and wines / beers (something for everyone!). For eats, we debated just getting the Kenduri, where the chef simply cooks for you, vs ordering on our own. We ultimately decided to choose our own adventure, ordering the goat rendang, sayur goreng, ayam goreng berempah, and chili pan mee to split. We each got our own nasi lamak to soak up all the goodies. Every dish was beautifully crafted with quality ingredients and was so delicious. I lvoed the presentation of the nasi lamak, and my standout dishes were the rendang and ayam goreng berempah (a surprise hit). We all enjoyed each dish, and we were sufficiently full with this shared order (too stuffed for dessert, though). The price is reasonable - we spent less with our method of ordering than we would have with getting the tasting menu. The cocktails were a little on the pricier side, but given the uniqueness of the drinks, I get it. Kampar did not disappoint, and it was a great meal to share with friends. I was (and still am) shocked to hear about the devastating fire and prolonged impact, so I am keeping my eyes peeled to hear about their hopefully soon reopening!

    Photos
    Kampar Philly
    Kampar Philly
    Sago Gula Melaka

    See all

    Sago Gula Melaka
    Pasar Malam

    Pasar Malam

    4.0
    (20 reviews)
    34.8 mi

    As other reviewers have commented, Pasar Malam is in the former Penang location. My family and I…read morewere fans of Penang, so I was happy to see that a similar establishment opened in its place. Pasar Malam lives up to the stellar food of its predecessor with service that is much better than the former. On a Saturday evening, there were several patrons. We ordered Thai chicken lettuce wraps for an appetizer. For main entrees the Drunken Noodle and Kari Mee with Redang Chicken. Everything was delicious, flavorful and plentiful in portion size. The menu seemed similar to Penang. However they have added bubble teas and more drinks. Prices were very reasonable. The interior was not as dark. Perhaps, the addition of more overhead lights of just some fresh paint. I will definitely be back to try the lunch specials. Note: credit card service charge added to bill.

    We love the variety available on Pasar Malam's menu. Beyond the typical Thai dishes there is a lot…read moreof Chinese dishes available. All of the dishes we ordered were enjoyable. We especially enjoyed this taro vegetable dish we ordered - the taro comes in a deep fried ring shape surrounding all the veggies and shrimp. The drunken noodle was also really good - really nice sized shrimp in their dishes. The Hainan chicken (they call it PM chicken) is not as flavorful as other places we've had this at. I wouldn't order the curry beef next time - it's a bowl of curry sauce (although delicious) with a few pieces of beef stew; you really need it eat it with a bowl of rice and we're trying to reduce our carb intake. Overall good service. And also BYOB!

    Photos
    Pasar Malam
    Pasar Malam
    Pasar Malam

    See all

    Nyonya

    Nyonya

    3.9
    (2.6k reviews)
    80.8 mi
    $$

    This Malaysian restaurant in SoHo seriously knocked it out of the park! Everything we ordered was…read moreso flavorful, and this ended up being such a great find during our NYC trip. We ordered the roti telur (egg & onion), Hainanese chicken, prawn mee, and Chinese watercress. Starting with the roti telur, this was easily one of my favorites! The roti was warm and crispy with egg and onion inside, and it came with a side of red curry that was incredibly flavorful. Dipping pieces of the roti into the curry made it even better. Chinese watercress is already one of my favorite veggies, so of course I had to order it. I loved how it was cooked with a savory meat sauce that added so much flavor without taking away from the veggie itself. The prawn mee was another dish I really enjoyed. The broth had a strong, rich shrimp flavor, so if you love that seafood taste, you'll probably enjoy this one! The Hainanese chicken was tender and paired really well with the sauces on the side. Definitely don't skip the sauces because they added so much more flavor to each bite. Overall, everything we ordered was delicious and I would absolutely come back the next time I'm in SoHo. One important thing to know before visiting: they are CASH ONLY, so make sure you bring enough with you!

    Great place with great food. This place is a staple to visit in Chinatown and awesome prices. My…read morefriends and I ordered staples like the hainanese chicken and roti and ordered new dishes like the tom yum soup and clams. Everything was super delicious and worth coming back to. Service was quick and nice and ambiance can get lively especially on weekends. Amazing experience 10/10

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    3. Shrimp with Eggplant Malaysian Style (@joeynht)
    3. Shrimp with Eggplant Malaysian Style (@joeynht)
    1. Roti Canai

    See all

    1. Roti Canai

    Banana Leaf - malaysian - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...