KL’s biggest Indian food court houses over 25 hawkers

2026-03-26 - 01:10

Siblings Malarvili and Gopal Rajandren co-founded ‘Virunthu at KL Town’ as a one-stop food hub. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) KUALA LUMPUR: The dinner rush has barely begun yet Karen Jayaramen is already moving at full speed behind the counter. A few years ago, his kitchen looked very different. “I was a chef in a five-star hotel,” he told FMT Lifestyle. But the pandemic left him jobless. Inspired by his mother, who for nearly a decade sold vadai and curry puffs under a roadside canopy, the 26-year-old bought a food truck and started over selling burgers. But like many street vendors, the biggest challenge wasn’t the food. “It’s not easy to get a licence. Water supply is also very difficult,” he explained. “Even with my experience in F&B, it was very hard.” That changed when he joined “Virunthu at KL Town”, now home to over 25 vendors, a space touted as Malaysia’s largest Indian food court. There is more than Indian food on offer at KL’s biggest food court called ‘Virunthu at KL Town’. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Located near MyTown Shopping Centre, the food court – co-founded by Gopal Rajandren and his sister Malarvili – offers everything from grilled seafood and pan mee to thosai and coconut-shell rice. While most vendors are Indian entrepreneurs, the food reflects Malaysia’s diverse flavours. “We didn’t want to limit ourselves to just Indian food. So we encouraged those who are exploring different kinds of food,” said Malarvili, 44. It’s a deliberate choice that has shaped how people experience the space. “They don’t see it as just a restaurant,” said Malarvili. “They see it as a one-stop food hub. That’s when we felt we’ve actually achieved our vision.” Vendors like Karen (right) and his mom find stability operating here. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) But beyond its scale, what sets this food court apart is the idea behind it – one that began at a brainstorming session during a family outing. “We actually wanted to open up a restaurant,” Gopal, 46, recalled. “Then my sister said, ‘why don’t we open up a food court. We have Chinese food courts, and there are Malay food courts. But there isn’t any Indian food court’.” That single idea reshaped everything. Instead of building one kitchen, they built many – actively seeking out street vendors who had the skills, but not the platform. “We went around approaching people who sell street food,” Gopal shared. “We told them, ‘We’re going to give you an opportunity. You can come and work with us.” The pan mee has a fiery kick and is packed with intense flavours. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) For Malarvili, the mission was clear from the start – they wanted to help street vendors struggling to progress in this business. “So we brought them in. At least they will have a space to do their business.” Indeed, Virunthu was designed to give vendors like Karen something they rarely have: stability. A proper licence. Reliable utilities. A permanent space. And most importantly, visibility. A surprising highlight is the spicy pan mee, prepared by an Indian aunty. If you think the versions at Chinese kopitiams are spicy, this takes it up a notch, or two. It’s deeply flavourful, with a fiery kick that lingers pleasantly. This rice dish cooked with sardine and sorrel leaves cannot be found in many eateries. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) The grilled fish is another standout. Tender and perfectly cooked, it flakes apart easily, revealing fresh, delicate meat beneath a tangy, spicy sambal that adds real depth. One dish you won’t easily find at Indian eateries in Kuala Lumpur is rice cooked with sardines and pulicha keerai (sorrel leaves), served in a coconut shell. It’s a simple and comforting curry packed with bold flavours: sour, spicy, and rich with the savoury depth of sardines. End your meal with coconut ice cream topped with sweet extras, or try the paal appam from Karen’s stall, made by his mother. Served hot, the appam is soft and fluffy in the centre with crisp edges – light, fragrant, and just the right touch of sweetness. Ultimately, come hungry and curious. Virunthu invites you to explore bold flavours while supporting hardworking street vendors under one vibrant roof. Virunthu at KL Town Lot 20006 Jalan Nakhoda Yusof Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur For location, click here. Business hours: 11.30am-12am Contact: 012-281 4426 Follow Virunthu at KL Town on Instagram.