Krishna Curry House
Established in 1994, Krishna’s Curry House is undoubtedly the top banana leaf restaurant in Sabah. I have been dining at Krishna’s since 1995, and I can tell you now the only things that have changed is Krishna’s hairstyle, his ever-growing popularity and expanding franchise. The top quality of the food remains unscathed, and flavours haven’t changed.
Krishna's branch at Jalan Lintas boasts two shop lots across the road from one another while one of them is a 2-storey shop with airconditioning upstairs.
Located in the Grand Millenium Plaza along Jalan Lintas, Krishna specialises in South Indian style Fish Head Curry and the famous Banana Leaf set meals with a Malaysian touch. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night craving food from Krishna’s. It’s harder now that I no longer live in Sabah – A meal at Krishna’s is now an annual event when I return to visit the folks.
Recently when I was back in Kota Kinabalu, my folks took me through the old ritual of lunching at Krishna’s. Once again, the experience was as memorable as the last. So what is the deal with Krishna’s Curry House? The answer is simply unrivalled dizzying-deliciousness. Putting this down on paper is impossible, one must experience the food in person at Krishna’s to fully understand where I am coming from.
Meat Curries on Display
Typically, a meal at Krishna’s for me involves the Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Set Lunch which consists of a platter of fish head curry and all-you-can-eat vegetables and rice. There are different fish head sizes available to suit – ranging from small to monstrous! The fish head curry is priced depending on the size of the fish head. A medium-sized one would cost around RM28. On Fridays and Saturdays, Biryani Rice is also available from the menu.
A typical lunch meal at Krishna's - Fish Head Curry, Vegetables and Rice.
Biryani rice and an array of delicious spicy vegetables - bitter gourd, long beans and spinach.
The types of vegetables and curries on the menu change on a daily basis which makes for great variety. The food at Krishna’s is never too salty or greasy and has the perfect balance of spices. Whenever you order the banana leaf set meals, the waiters will bring you a selection of veges in these tin pots. There can be up to 6 different types of vegetable dishes in one meal setting (lunch or dinner) and one is always spoilt for choice!
A selection of vegetables is brought to you - clockwise from left: Eggplant cooked in spicy tomato sauce, chopped long beans with mustard seeds and melon curry.
A closer look at what came out of the tins... From left to right: Melon Curry, Long Beans and Eggplant.
One of my favourite vegetable dishes from Krishna's - Deep Fried Crispy Bitter Gourd Chips!
The star of the show is of course the Fish Head Curry – I’m never too sure what kind of fish they use – from memory I remember Krishna mentioning something about Ikan Putih. The reason why I rate the fish head curry here so much once again comes down to taste and also freshness. I still can’t get over how fish head is SO underrated outside Malaysia! It’s probably the best part of the fish, especially the eyes and cheeks!
A medium sized fish head is sufficient enough to feed a group of three. If you look at the photo long enough, you will be able to smell the wonderful aroma of the fish head curry.
The fish here is sourced daily from suppliers and I have never once tasted a less-than-inspiring piece of fish head from Krishna’s. The curry sauce has just the right consistency and isn’t too thick or watery. They use lots of tomatoes in the sauce to give it a tangy, sour bite which compliments the fish very well. There is also a generous serving of Okra in the fish head curry.
The Banana leaf set lunch is not complete without a hearty serving of hot rice, topped with dollops of curry sauce!
Most of the time, you’ll get to see Krishna and his wife at the restaurant. Sometimes his boys also help them out. He is a really friendly and jolly fellow who loves to interact with his customers – just how a restaurant host and owner should be. Getting back to the earlier comment I made about Krishna’s hairstyle, he used to sport a ponytail way back in the 90′s…
A photo opportunity with the man himself!
Mr. Krishnan’s boldy head makes him a charming gentleman!!! Dying to enjoy your stunning fish head curry la bos!!
Make sure you order a side of the deep fried telur ikan. Goes well with the curry sauce!
went to try this much-talked about place. was disapointed. was served with an unfresh fish head. the head was stale and the meat was ‘tough’ not like other fish in some other curry fish head places. and it is quite pricey too. atmosphere and service was good.
Thank you very much yau for dining at my restaurant . Sorry for the bad experience you had. Please come and see me and we will replace the stale fish head. I really appreciated your comment. Sometime my staff will take things for granted that the fishmonger will send the fresh fish.. Things like this happen, we normally replace it on the spot.
Thank you very much yau for dining at my restaurant . Sorry for the bad experience you had. Please come and see me and we will replaced the stale fish head. I really appreciated your comment. Sometime my staff will take things for granted that the fishmonger will send the fresh fish.. Things like this happen, we normally replace it on the spot.
My second favourite dish is Krishna fish head Curry…..mmmm…..yummy curry…..slurping …with fish head’s fatty Gill flesh….wondering what’s the first?…..Bak kut teh from Perdana Commercial Centre, Tawau… I forgot the Restaurent’s name…..I used to go to this restaurent with my family every Sunday after the Church service. I’ve left Malaysia 1 1/2 years ago and still mouthwatering when I think about these 2 dishes….I love chinese food….I love Tawau…I greatly miss malaysia and in particular…….. Sabah
I’ve got addicted to KCH Fish Head Curry. Trip to KK without KCH’s Curry will always makes me sad….My wife love’s it too…I know Mr.Krishna….and he knows me as well….I used to go to KCH right from the day when the restaurant was cramped in a small lane near penampang,but always crowded and one have to swirl around to catch a chair. He used to tell me always that I resemble one of his relative. Dont know whether he recognize me now….Iam in Bahrain now…
Hi Anand. My family and I started going to KCH in ’95 or ’96 as well, like you said, when it used to be located in a small coffeeshop in a shoplot in Penampang. I will be going back to KK in December, and I’m really looking forward to a nice banana leaf meal for sure! I’ll tell him you said hi. =)
Hi Nat. That’s nice. Enjoy your meal.
Hi Boss Krishna, used to lunch there with my office mate Wan Mazlan ( Kelantanese). Since i was transfered back to Sarawak, i never again have a chance to visit your restaurant in Penampang ( blakang petronas i guess) and didn’t know your restaurant already expand and move to jalan lintas. Hopefully i have a chance to go back to KK and visit you soon …… you know me when we meet again.
expecting some feedback for my comments from Mr.Krishna….
Went and had lunch there in Jan when I was back in KK, tried 2 new dishes, goat curry and goat korma. Never tried before, was very impressed! =) Also there was a ‘small boss’ managing the place, great service.
Someone….who looks at this page and moves to KCH for a meal or whatever….Please remind Mr.Krishna to read this webpage….for those to recall aqain…www.devilslastsupper.com…..I want feedback from Mr.Krishna…I miss KCH and i miss KK too…
Nat….By the way….who’s that small boss?…..Have you to informed Mr.Krishna about me….? You’ve assured me in your previous message….bye
Hi Anand,
I’m not sure who the small boss is, but I assume he is the assistant restaurant manager hired by Mr. Krishna. He’s a Chinese or maybe even Sino looking fellow – very friendly and efficient chap, looks quite young, maybe in his late 20′s or even early 30s. Unfortunately Mr. Krishna wasn’t in the restaurant when I went there in Jan – so I didn’t speak to him. I live in Australia so I probably won’t go back to KCH until my next trip back to M’sia! Best of luck in trying to get in touch with him, hopefully he will read this page again…=)
Hi. I do come to this restaurant some times and definately enjoy the food all he time i’m there.
Hi Mr Anand,
Sorry maybe my dad is a little busy. Anyways Thks a lot for the wonderful comments. Hope u and ur family are doing well in Bahrain. God bless u always…..:) Cheers from KCH Sabah.
Hi Ian (small boss),
Could you please advise your operating hours? Plan to go sometime next week.
Thank you.
Jason