Mai Tomyam: McCurry Boleh!

An Indian eatery in Kuala Lumpur city called McCurry Restaurant has gained international fame after McDonald’s (which claimed the name of the restaurant breached it’s trademark) sued McCurry and lost the eight-year legal battle after Malaysia’s highest court, the Federal Court, ruled on 8th September 2009, in favour of McCurry, that McDonald's cannot claim an exclusive right to the 'Mc' prefix in the country.

Internet news from Al Jazeera, BBC to CNN and newspapers across the globe carried with headlines “McCurry wins row with McDonald's” and “Malaysia’s McCurry beat McDonald's in trademark fight" and I knew I just had to try it and decided to check out the place.

The restaurant is situated at the first mile Jalan Ipoh near Jalan Raja Laut, Chow Kit area in Kuala Lumpur. Its ideal location in the business district of Jalan Ipoh makes the place popular with everyone looking for affordable meal from office workers, tourists staying at nearby hotels and to families on weekends.

The restaurant serves a variety of spicy Malaysian Indian curries, including chicken curry, mutton curry, fish head curry, nasi briyani and favourite cuisine like roti canai, thosai, chapatti, murtabak and tandoori naan.

Overall the food is of acceptable quality but can definitely be improved. The price is reasonable without burning a hole in your pocket. The teh tarik drink is kinda cheap here at RM1 a glass. The place is crowded during lunch hour and also on weekends and public holidays.

Business is brisk here, but McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah and his staff are always very friendly.

For Suppiah, 55, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from New Zealand, his phone had not stopped ringing since winning the case. He has become an instant celebrity of sort and had been receiving lots of local and international calls daily from strangers, people he does not know, who called to congratulate and wish him well. Many others walked into his restaurant to congratulate him personally and to take photos with him. On top of that, he received many inquiries from enterprising people from as far as China about franchising his business restaurant and he has appointed a franchising consultant for advice.

“A 67 years old man called from Ireland after seeing the news from BBC and he said this to me: I thank you so much for pointing out to the world that the prefix “Mc” belongs to the Irish and Scottish people and not exclusive to any single corporation”, said Suppiah who has a friend by the name of Bruce McCurry.

“I also received a call from a Dato’ Yunus Rais from London who said he was a Malaysian and had been staying in London for 30 years. He saw the news on BBC and CNN and had this to say to me: This is the best news I heard from Malaysia this year. You have made Malaysians proud," said Suppiah.

Yes I am proud that a small Indian restaurant can fight with a fast-food giant and win the battle. McCurry Boleh! Malaysia Boleh!

See also related post: McCurry a truly 1 Malaysia eatery

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah stands proudly outside his restaurant pointing out that the use of the prefix "Mc" in the business signage is a short form for Malaysian chicken. He said the food that they serve is very different from McDonald's and have no similarities with them at all.

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (fifth from right, in white shirt and tie) and his staff pointing at the McCurry signage.

Tourists James and Bev pointing at the McCurry signage to acknowledge their support.

Tourists James (1st from right) and Bev posing with McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (in white shirt) after their hearty meal of Malaysian chicken curry.

Here’s the awesome McCurry – short for Malaysian chicken curry that goes great with plain boiled rice.

McCurry restaurant serves a variety of chicken curry. They also serve vegetarian curry and dishes catering to vegetarians. The dishes are replenished every six hours to ensure freshness. The restaurant operates 24 hours round the clock and employs 18 staff working in two shifts.

Customers can choose from a variery of Indian curry food, including chicken curry and mutton curry.

Customers Param (left) and James Chong give the thumbs up for McCurry.

Its the thumbs up for McCurry from customers Ben (sitting right), his wife Mariya and their two children. McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (standing left) is happy posing with his satisfied customers.

A family dining at McCurry Restaurant give the thumbs up for McCurry.

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (standing) posing with satisfied customers who give the thumbs up.

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (middle, in white shirt) and his team of dedicated staff.

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a well wisher congratulating McCurry for the success.

McCurry wins McDonald, says this congratulatory message.

Param, a regular customer at McCurry, signed on the guestbook which had been placed at the cashier's counter for customers and well wishers to acknowledge their support for McCurry.

"David won the battle against Goliath".... a page taken from the guestbook.

For desserts, there are a variety of ice blended snow shakes to choose from.

Customers pay at the cashier counter after their meal.

A section of the air-conditioned dining area. Customers can watch the TV shows while dining.

Round tables and chairs are also placed outside the restaurant for smoking customers and those who prefer open environment away from the air-conditioned room.