Dhivya Sree of ‘The New Madras’ wants Malaysians to enjoy India’s street food. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) KUALA LUMPUR: Every time a customer’s face lit up after sipping her tea or tasting her food, Dhivya Sree of “The New Madras” was convinced she was onto something.
“Many of our customers have not experienced proper Indian street food. They said they really loved it,” the 26-year-old of this kerbside stall said with a smile. Within three days of their business, their videos went viral.
The positive feedback made all the hustle and late nights worth it. For Dhivya, food is more than just a business – it’s about bringing the authentic taste of Indian street food to the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
That passion led her to open a brick-and-mortar branch in Brickfields, aptly named TNM Hidden Cafe.
This café isn’t your typical eatery. Tucked away at the back of a gadget and vape shop, opposite NU Sentral and just a stone’s throw from Little India, it’s a cosy little space that feels like a secret waiting to be discovered.
The rosemilk bun is one of the top sellers at TNM Hidden Cafe. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) “We had a very small budget, and we wanted to be right in the middle of Little India,” she explained. “When we found this spot, it was perfect -small, compact, cosy … that’s what I was looking for. It was perfect for a beginner like us.”
But TNM Hidden Cafe didn’t appear overnight. Dhivya’s venture into the food business actually began quite differently – with cosmetics.
“I used to import Ayurvedic cosmetics from Kerala,” she said. “That’s how I started travelling to Chennai a lot. And every time I went, I fell more in love with their street food. I wanted people here to experience the same.”
That passion led her to open her first food stall, The New Madras, in Kampung Kasipillay along Jalan Ipoh in 2023.
The name of the café was a nod to Chennai’s old name, Madras. While she loved the hustle and bustle of a street stall, Dhivya wanted to offer something more comfortable – hence the TNM Hidden Cafe last year.
The super affordable briyani makes it an ideal lunch meal in Brickfields. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) The menu here is an exciting mix of classic Indian street food and Dhivya’s own creative twists such as the gulab jamun frappe.
“I curate the menu completely,” she shared. “Every time I travel to India, I’ll explore the Indian street foods there. And if I like it, I’ll introduce it here.”
One of the café’s biggest hits is the tea, served in the quintessential small tea glasses Indian roadside stalls use. Made with fresh cow’s milk, it’s piping hot, fragrant, and perfectly balanced between milky and strong. The portion is just right – not too filling, just enough to leave you craving another sip.
Then there’s the rosemilk bun, a nostalgic and indulgent treat. A soft bun is slathered with condensed milk mixed with rose syrup, with more of the syrup drizzled over the top. The result? A sweet, floral-flavoured snack that melts in your mouth.
For something heartier, the budget Madras chicken biryani is an absolute steal. At just RM8.90, you get a generous portion of flavourful biryani rice, tender chicken, a boiled egg, and raita. The taste is rich, the portion satisfying, and the price? Almost too good to be true.
The tea here at TNM Hidden Cafe is served in the classic Indian tea glass. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) With food this good and affordable, it’s no surprise that this café is always buzzing with customers. But that’s part of its charm. It’s a slice of Chennai in the middle of KL, where you can enjoy hot tea, a quick bite, and the lively energy of Little India.
And this is just the beginning. What started as a humble food stall is now a thriving café, and Dhivya isn’t stopping here. “We’re already planning to expand to other states,” she said. “And by God’s grace, we want to take our brand international.”
For now, though, she’s focused on making TNM Hidden Cafe the best it can be. “If you love tea and Indian street food, you need to come here at least once,” she said. “You won’t find some of our menu items anywhere else. Try it, you’ll love it.”
And judging by the steady stream of customers, she’s absolutely right.
TNM Hidden Cafe
122, Jalan Tun Sambanthan
Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 12pm-10.30pm
Contact: 012-665 2184
For location, click here.
Follow TNM Hidden Cafe on Instagram.
