Banana leaf rice is a traditional method of serving rice dishes in South Indian cuisine. In banana leaf meals, white rice or parboiled rice in authentic South Indian restaurants is served on a banana leaf with an assortment of vegetables, pickles, papadum and other regional condiments usually sour, salty or spicy. The banana leaf acts as disposable plate and it in itself is not consumed. Typically, only vegetarian gravy (e.g. sambar) will be served on the rice as it is meant to be a traditional vegetarian dish. However, sometimes boiled eggs, curried or fried meat or seafood are served as well.