Selecting Food in Indian Restaurants: A Challenge
Choosing food in Indian restaurants often becomes a difficult task. There are so many delicious options on the menu that people get confused in choosing the right dish. Can the advice of an experienced chef help you make the right choice for you?
Sanjay Gaur's suggestions
Sanjay Gaur, co-founder and celebrity chef of South London's 'Kokum' restaurant, has identified some dishes that one should avoid ordering. Sanjay, who grew up in Mumbai and has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, believes one should be careful while choosing dishes like biryani, lamb and bhajiya.
1. Color of Chicken Tikka
If the color of the chicken tikka is extremely red or fluorescent, this is a warning. A good chicken tikka should have a mild smoky aroma and natural colour, not artificial red colour.
2. Quality of long menu
When the menu is filled with all kinds of curries, biryani and seafood, it gives cause for suspicion. Chef Sanjay believes that restaurants with limited and specific cuisines are more reliable.
3. Choosing the Right Vindaloo
It is wrong to consider Vindaloo as just the 'spiciest curry'. A good Vindaloo should have a balance of sourness and spices along with spiciness.
4. Identity of Biryani
Real biryani can be identified by its aroma and blooming rice. If rice and curry are simply mixed, it is not true biryani.
5. Tandoor Naan
The naan that comes out of the tandoor should have light burnt marks and crisp edges. If the naan is flat and light in colour, it may be pre-made.
6. Freshness of Chaat
The real joy of chaat lies in its crispness and freshness. Keeping it in a delivery bag for a long time spoils its taste.
7. Fried snacks
Bhajiyas and other fried snacks taste good only when they are fresh and hot. If they are already fried, they lose their crispness.
8. Same base curry
If the menu has a choice of different meats and vegetables with the same curry, it is a sign that the sauce is already prepared.
9. Cheap Lamb Curry
Lamb is an expensive ingredient, and if a restaurant sells it at a very low price, its quality comes into question.
10. Chef's Favorite Order
Chef Sanjay Gaur himself gives priority to special dishes, Tandoori dishes and Asli Dum Biryani in the restaurant, because these dishes truly reflect his skills.