Chancing upon good food that leaves a lasting impression is not something that occurs every day.
Take Chacha Naan and Briyani in Medan Selera, Section 14 in Petaling Jaya for instance.
We heeded a friend’s recommendation and went to the food court for early lunch as we were told they sell out fast.
It took us some time to find the stall as it did not have a signboard.
The modest looking stall was manned by staff Faisal Gul and Lia Atai during our visit.
I left the ordering to my colleague Amar Qastellani and his picks were chicken cheese naan, mutton briyani and special briyani.
The rice portions for the mutton and special briyani were impressive.
For RM12, I was impressed not only with the portion of the special briyani but with the choice of rice used – long grain basmathi.
That’s how briyani rice should be prepared and not using normal rice as some shops do.
The first bite of the special briyani left a lasting impression.
The rice was fluffy and the spices were just nice – not too overpowering nor too bland.
The tandoori chicken was well cooked, juicy and paired well with the mint gravy.
Amar ‘whacked’ almost the entire plate of mutton briyani (RM15), leaving my other colleague Graig Nunis just a spoonful of rice with some mutton.
The verdict?
“Very good. You can’t go wrong when the mutton is tender,” said a smiling Amar.
Next up was the chicken cheese naan that the three of us shared.
They used a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. With shredded chicken pieces inside, it could easily pass off as a pizza!
Served with four dipping sauces – mint, chickpeas, dhal and curry, it was a bargain for RM7!
We learnt later that resident chef Abdul Latif, better known as Chacha (Uncle), had been manning the stall close to eight years but recently returned to Pakistan.
“Chacha went home last month and will be back next year,” said Lia who has been helping out at the stall for the past three months.
The stall, like many other food businesses, has been hit by Covid-19 but they have survived.
“We used to sell 100 naans a day but now we sell about 70,” Lia said, adding the cheese and chicken cheese naan were a hit among regulars.
Asked how they can offer such good food at a bargain, Lia said good food does not have to cost a bomb.
“Our customers are also from the lower income group and we want to serve food that everyone can afford.”
Chacha Naan and Briyani also serves garlic naan (RM3), cheese naan (RM5), chicken briyani and tandoori chicken (RM7).
If you love naan, briyani and good food that will not burn a hole in your pocket, Chacha Naan and Briyani is the place to be.
Chacha Naan and Briyani
Stall MR19, Medan Selera, Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Contact number: +6016-314 7160
Opening hours: 10am to 3pm.
