Kayra Authentic Kerala Cuisine

46 Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1 Taman Tun Dr Ismail 60000 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-7732 2009

IT is hard for a small business to compete in the restaurant industry with the added costs that sustainability can bring. However, Meriam Alfonso of Kerala restaurant Kayra has opted for planet-friendly paper packaging. This works well for small orders, but larger takeaways pose a challenge, so she is now actively sourcing options to avoid plastic containers in the future.

This month saw the introduction of paper straws and plastic straws are now forbidden. Alfonso says she knows this is only a small change, but each development makes a difference.

Twice a year during the traditional festivals of Vishu (New Year) in April and Onam (harvest festival) in August/ September, the restaurant celebrates with a 10-dish special. They are the most delicious dishes from Kerala, and are all vegetarian – which reduces the global footprint too!

If you would like to win a RM200 voucher to dine at Kayra, please send an answer to the following question to: TLFPcomp@gmail.com. Do not contact the restaurant directly.

The deadline for entries is midnight on Jan 2, 2019. Winners will be randomly selected.

QUESTION: The Kayru Festival of Vishu involves many dishes – what is the significance of this?

The equal mixing of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and astringent is a symbolic reminder that one must expect all flavours of experiences in the coming new year.

One can only appreciate the sweetness of life if compared to the bitterness and saltiness of an accompanying dish.

It is important to eat a balanced diet at every meal – and so it is good to start the New Year in this fashion.