SHANKAR’s mystery curry box during MCO 2.0 was what first drew me to The Fire Grill in TDDI Kuala Lumpur. It’s a complete rice and south Indian curry meal that the owner, Shankar R. Santhiram, cooks himself based on the main ingredient (meat, fish or vegetables) that is available and in season at the market.

I was lucky with my first mystery curry box (RM29). The stingray curry or thirukkai meen wowed me. It was distinctive, with cumin, curry leaves and garlic. It had a little tartness and the right heat in it. There was basmati rice stirred with coconut oil, thairu vendikkai (okra in yoghurt) and poppadom.  It was a satisfying lunch.