About
Welcome to Banana Leaf, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Houston's vibrant Chinatown on Bellaire Boulevard. This Malaysian culinary haven offers an unforgettable dining experience that reflects the rich tapestry of Malaysian cuisine. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant flavors, it’s a must-visit for both locals and adventurers alike.
At Banana Leaf, we pride ourselves on our extensive menu that caters to all preferences. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or a meat lover, there’s something for everyone. Our dishes are prepared with top-quality ingredients and served in generous portions, ensuring you'll leave satisfied and eager to return.
The reviews speak for themselves—Rachel S. highlights our efficient service and generous portions, noting how our curry chicken provides excellent value. Kylena P. praises our attentive staff and simple but effective menu, making dining with little ones a breeze. And Patrick L. calls us the best Malaysian restaurant in Houston, with must-try dishes like the sizzling Malaysian bean curd served on a hot plate, showcasing our commitment to traditional flavors with a modern twist.
As you step into Banana Leaf, you'll be greeted by a warm ambiance filled with the enticing aroma of spices and freshly cooked dishes. The casual setting, complemented by moderate noise and friendly service, sets the perfect stage for a delightful lunch or dinner outing. Whether dining with family, friends, or accommodating a larger group, we ensure a memorable experience marked by both flavor and hospitality.
Discover the best of Malaysian cuisine at Banana Leaf, where every visit feels like a culinary journey. Open to all, we invite you to indulge in our vibrant dishes—your taste buds will thank you!
For reservations or inquiries, contact us at (713) 771-8118 or stop by at 9889 Bellaire Blvd Suite 311, Houston, TX 77036. We look forward to serving you!
“ I stopped in here for lunch after a day of checking out the sights in Chinatown. My partners family was excited to try some new cuisine. The service was quite good, we were seated right away and our food came quickly, the waitress even boxed our food in take out boxes at the end of the meal. The food is large portions for a decent price too... the curry chicken was two meals for only 9 dollars. I liked the roti a lot too.I won't lie, the restaurant didn't seem particularly clean and the bathroom was kind of disgusting. Asides from that, it was a decent experience, though the food was nothing too special. ”
“ Finally tried this gem after passing by it for years and glancing at the menu in the window. Well worth the surprise visit! The restaurant is kind of narrow but they somehow fit about 12 tables and only had two servers in the incredibly busy hours we arrived. The waitress was very accommodating and gave us a high chair for my baby right away. The menu is nice and simple; includes a helpful description of the food in italics. Now onto the food: The best of these dishes, is the Banana Leaf Crispy Golden Fried Calamari. Nice thick, crispy and wonderfully flavorful batter wrapped around fresh, chewy yet springy squid. Tastes even better when dipped into the sauce that comes with the Indian Pancake. Which, is exactly what you expect. Warm, thin, flaky bread you can dipped into the rich, creamy brown sauce. Perfect appetizer. The next two dishes were good, but I could live without them also. The Shrimp with Eggplant Malaysian Style. Mildly spicy and tasty. The eggplant was very moist, just saturated in the brown sauce it's cooked in. Not sweet like Chinese YuXiang eggplant (鱼香茄子)but very savory. And, the Banana Leaf Pineapple Fried Rice, which is cooked with chicken, shrimp, and eggs. Was great. Very flavorful yellow rice, deliciously sweet onion, bit of chicken and shrimp in there (not much, but there), and green peas and cubed carrot. Good enough portion to feed about three people. (They give a bowl of white rice for the table also). Nothing really remarkable it was just good fried rice. Overall great restaurant. I would love to try more the menu next time but not exceptional enough to become my staple favorite! ”
“ Best Malaysian restaurant in Houston. We tried a few places but keep on coming back here. There are a few dishes that we always come back to. - Sizzling Malaysian bean curd - comes in a sizzling hot plate. Use egg tofu which is much tastier than regular tofu. It comes with mixed seafood sauce and egg at the bottom. - morning glory with belachan sauce. Belachan is made of shrimp paste and has a distinct flavor. Used in Southeast Asian cooking. - Beef Rebdang. Beef was very tender and sauce is amazing! Eat with rice. :-) Staff is very friendly and you can always ask for recommendations. Other dishes worth mentioning are the Roti Canai (Indian crepe with curry sauce)z. Great starter. We also like the Hainese chicken (steamed chicken) and noodles dishes. Restaurant is pretty casual with rustic Asian feel. Dark wooden tables with glass top and chairs. Hope you give them a try. Food can be spicy so you should ask before ordering. ”
“ I've been here three times now, and I'm dying to go back! Twice on weekends and once on a weekday. The weekday food experience was not at the same level as the weekend experience. They're able to accommodate small to medium size groups (about 6 people is probably the max). The restaurant is pretty small. The service is excellent. The servers all work together, and they're very efficient. Onto the food! Appetizer: Try the roti kanai! Sizzlers: pepper chicken and pepper beef are both delish! Curry chicken and Beef Rendag are also favorites. I'll be back this week... hehe ”
“ Very small place in the china town section of bellaire in Houston. Have been here many times so decided to give a review. Have not been for a long time so finally decided to leave some thoughts. Had the sizzling beef dish for main and I always start with the roti, some of the best I have ever had. The roti comes with a curry sauce and the satay is char grilled to perfection. Many speciality drinks like coconut water to choose from as well. I usually just get water to enjoy the awesome flavors! ”