Singapore's Banana Leaf

I have been looking for one item everywhere in LA, Roti Kunai, and I finally found it here! This place is AWESOME with really authentic food. Too bad it is just a little eatery, and there aren't more restaurants like this is LA, there are quite a few in New York. Also, it is in the Grove, so parking isn't the best but if you happen to be spending the day in the grove, this is the place to grab a bite.

Pros: Authentic Authentic!!

Cons: Just a fast food place, no ambiance

Posted 05/04/09

I used to like this place, but not anymore. The last time I went there, I ordered Tuna Sambal and it tasted really weird and not authentic. They also reduce the food portion a lot.

Most importantly, the woman at the server's really rude and she kept playing with her little girl when I ordered.

NOT RECOMMENDED!

Pros: none

Cons: Worst service, rude people, not authentic

Posted 03/07/09

Awful! The beef rendang was sourish and tough. The chicken curry tasted like boiled chicken added to curry sauce. The otak otak was some weird dough mixture flavored with fish flavoring served with peanut butter sambal. Is this a new Singaporean dip? The girl who took our order looked like she would rather be anywhere but taking orders. Very unfriendly! Rolled her eyes at a customer who took some time in ordering. I was born and raised in Malaysia....Sorry! this place is not worth the drive and the parking nightmare!

Pros: Pictures of food looked appetizing!

Cons: Food was not tasty, ordered spicy and got mild, almost run down by angry driver waiting for parking

Posted 08/07/08

I used to work at the Grove a few years back, and I still crave this food. . . even if I live all the way over in Pasadena!

I just went there this past w/e, and tried the Lodeh Soup - a vegetarian curried-flavored soup that has veggies and a side of white rice. OMG! That is now my new favorite!! We also had the mango juice - $1.50 and super yummy - wanna try a mango through a straw?

Normally, I crave the Nasi Goreng. . . Singapore fried rice - mix of veggies, egg - tofu or meat of your choice. Yummi! This last visit was a little bland, especially since I had the Lodeh soup - you can choose mild, medium or hot - I suggest just getting the medium (for flavor!), or hot if you can take it.

A few years ago, there used to be a guy that worked there that always remembered me and what I ordered. . . customer service and good food? Who can beat that?!
This past visit, there was a hispanic girl that was working there - and her customer service skills were DEFINITELY lacking. I put my $$ on the counter, and she looked down her nose at me as she waited for me to pick it up and hand it to her (and she wonders why I didn't tip?). . . This girl is the reason for 4 stars instead of FIVE. . .

Pros: food (esp lodeh soup!), drinks (mango), it's at Farmer's Market and the Grove (location, location, location)

Cons: the staff (at least this past time), parking can be nuts on the w/e

Posted 06/02/08

Love this place. While they may not serve Ubud-style Nasi Goreng, it's certainly close enough to take me back to Bali for 10 minutes. Staff is friendly, food is prepared to order with fresh ingredients, relatively inexpensive. Food always fills you up without sitting heavy in your stomach.

Pros: Indo food a rare treat in SoCal

Cons: Limited menu, not exactly authentic

Posted 04/17/08

I have three words...this food is excellent. A friend and I had a fun afternoon at the Grove and the Farmer's Market. There are so many places to choose from and we finally settled on Singapore's Banana Leaf with its palm frond ceiling fans and the bamboo accented furniture under the cheerful saffron-colored awning.

The service was friendly--we didn't know what to order, so we asked at the counter for recommendations. My advice: whatever you get, share it, that way you get to try more than one entree. We had the Beef Rendang, Mee Goreng Chicken, Roti Jala (a type of bread) and Rojak (salad). The flavors are combinations that I would never have imagined and it's obvious that the ingredients are natural and FRESH!

If you like Chinese or Indian cuisine, give Singapore a try. Highly recommended!

Pros: Fresh ingredients, outdoor dining, friendly service, casual

Cons: Parking in the Farmer's Market can be tough.

Posted 04/15/08

LOVE THIS PLACE.....This is some of my favorite food on earth....

Just have Ma or Pa, get the sauces consistat...sometimes its great...and sometimes its...just ok.

ROJACK ROCKS!
PARATA ROCKS
MEGORANG ROCKS
That soup with curry and chicken ROCKS

Get out the Kleenex as tears can a come a rollin...don't get all happy thinking Im a tough guy and I want it SPICEY...get medium, or slightly hot...I donno...I have yet to try Hot as Im with the WIFE...ya know how that usually flies...but never disappointed....even got her to be a bit used to spicey!

Go grab yourself a cold one from the other side and have a Good Eats!

Michael is always friendly and a true joy to see him when we visit....Can we get this guy a girl ?? Nice guy, running the family bus...successful....good head on the shoulders(when hair is back)....has good taste in music...Hey man the 80's ROCK!...heck thats about all the 80s had to offer.

Pros: FOOD, SERVICE FOOD...Food, I said food...ummmm

Cons: No dummy, you don't eat the leaf that the food sits on!

Posted 08/19/07

Was at the Farmer's Market and most of the places were closed (Easter Sunday) and rememebered a friend raving about this place, so lucky me, I got a chance to try it out. I had the Rojak, which has bean sprouts, fried tofu, jicama, cucumbers, apple, and pineapple with a chopped peanut and chili sauce. It looked appetizing and colorful and was novelly served atop a banana leaf. So flavorful and fresh tasting... the spice was bordering on medium, but was more of an after taste (I could have handled a touch more spice, but didn't request it spicy because I know many places add too much.) To drink I had Chendol, which was actually more like a dessert. It's basically shaved ice, coconut milk, some cool looking small green noodle things and palm sugar. Soooo refreshing with the Rojak.. definitely works well as a spice quelcher for those who like their dishes very hot.

Posted 04/07/07

Slighty exotic menu for the farmer's market never disappoints. The food is always yummy and the people are always friendly. I definitely recommend!

Posted 11/01/06

Location can be quite tricky. It is not easy to find unless you know the area pretty well.
This stall is located in the middle of fresh produce market. The service is fast and efficient. After trying out several dishes, my husband and I agree that their Mee Goreing is exceptional. Their other food are average but you can't visit this restaurant without trying out their Ice Cendol. It's fantastic!!

Pros: Dessert, fast service

Cons: location

Posted 10/26/06

Singapore banana leaf serves good food, that rarely goes along with good value nowadays. It's definitely one of my favorite Farmers Market restaurants.

Posted 10/07/06

This is a favorite of mine and is within walking distance of where I live. The owners of this restaurant are so friendly and have really created a sense of "family" with the customers. Mee Goreng is a favorite of all I've spoken with. Awhile back, they had a Saturday special of Lamb Curry that was phenomenal. I hope they expand their menu in the future but for the present, what they have is an excellent example of greatness.

Pros: mee goreg, friendly owners, location

Cons: parking, not fast-food

Posted 02/01/06

I have tasted lots of wannabes but the food there is authentic and fabulous! From the curry to the laksa, all of which are made to order with fresh veggies, one can escape the usual L.A. food scene. The people there are friendly too.

Pros: inexpensive, good service, nice atmosphere

Cons: parking

Posted 08/28/05

SBL serves up great Singaporean dishes for a decent price. I have to agree with the other reviews - their menu could use some expanding, but that hasn't stopped me from returning again and again for my faves, which are the "Indo Style" mee goreng and the beef rendang. The roti prata is ok, but no match for the real thing back home.

Pros: Friendly Staff, Delicious Food

Cons: Limited Menu

Posted 05/31/05

The mee goreng noodles are addictive. Kojak salad is also great (fruit, tofu, etc.) Nice family who runs it.

Pros: food

Cons: addictive

Posted 05/22/05

First of all, this restaurant is not easy to find unless you are a local. We never imagine that this restaurant will be located in the middle of a fresh produce market. The ambiance and service are excellent. The food however is quite average. The beef rendang and laksa were below average. The mee goreng was quite original and tasty. The best part of our dinner was the ice Cendol which was exceptionally good.

Pros: Great service, Ice Cendol

Cons: , Price

Posted 08/24/04

I visited on 4/26. We had Laksa and Mee Goreng (vegetarian). Both dishes were very good. The mee goreng had nice flavor and so did the laksa. If there is any criticism of the laksa is the bumbu could be ground more. It fits into Farmer's markey, reminds me of SE asia street food.

Pros: authentic

Posted 04/27/03

This is a food stall in the farmer's market. I used to live in Malaysia & the food is not that great--the nasi goreng & mee goreng were both way too greasy & not all that flavorful. I have definitely had better stateside. The staff was extremely nice & said that it was more singaporean than malay, but I've been to Singapore as well & the food still was not this greasy! I didn't try any meat dishes, so there's still hope, but the menu is EXTREMELY limited.

Cons: too greasy, limited menu

Posted 12/11/02