PETALING JAYA, May 11 — Hidden inside an office building, Thinnai Express hits differently than typical Indian eateries with its healthier, home-style approach. 

Even the look of their thali sets differs, laid out in a triangular tray and the use of thonnai, a bowl made from biodegradable dried areca leaf.

Expect a concise offering of thali meals for lunch (12pm to 3pm) and other eats like thosai, idli and bhaji available throughout the rest of the day.

Once you try the superb Podi Idly (2 pieces for RM5.90), you will return for it again and again. 

Idli may not look exciting with its plain white appearance but when prepared well, its texture is cloud-like, all thanks to a batter made from fermented soaked rice and urad dal. 

This healthy snack gets a make-over with a dusting of explosive podi, which pings your mouth with flavour. 

Thinnai Express elevates their version further, using a one-of-a-kind mixture of toasted urad dal, mustard seeds and an abundance of curry leaves.

Each bite is slowly eaten, combining fluffiness with the crunch from the toasted dal and the lingering fragrance from the curry leaves. 

It really does not need the tomato chutney or dhal served with it but we suggest you also eat all of it because it's well prepared. 

Tomatoes are kept chunky, letting you enjoy their natural umami and even the dhal has am appetising, creamy texture. 

Various thosai options are on the menu, such as their Ghee Thosai (RM4.90), which is pale in appearance but surprises with a crispy texture. 

Their brioche buns are an oddity on the menu but they make sense for the location, serving as a quick work bite when hunger pangs strike. 

Peanut Spread Brioche Bun (RM6.90) served hot was satisfying with well toasted edges, a smear of soft butter and the rich peanut butter, especially when paired with the fragrant Nattusakarai Masala Tea (RM4). 

Lunch is a more substantial affair with refillable items, which have found favour with those who work upstairs in the insurance company. 

The vegetable meal is RM11.90, the chicken meal is RM16.90 and the mutton meal is RM18.90.

The spread has three types of vegetables, cooked well and not mushy blobs on the banana leaf. 

Papadum, curd, pickle and rasam are served with a mountain of rice. 

The chicken meal for that day came with a curry leaf chicken that had a mellow spiciness in each piece. 

Thinnai Express

B1, Wisma MCIS Zurich, 

Jalan Barat, 

PJS 52, Petaling Jaya.

Tel:012-4787144

Open: 8.30am to 8pm (Monday to Friday), 9am to 4pm (Saturday). Closed on Sundays. 

Instagram: @thinnai_express

* This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.

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