Your tastebuds may already be acquainted with butter chicken and tandoori dishes, but there are other Indian cuisines out there waiting to be explored. From more-is-more fusion to classics such as curry, LA is your destination for Indian food of every sort.
At this restaurant in a casual strip mall setting, thali-style cuisine is served up in small portions from six distinct dishes intended to represent optimal nutrition for optimal health.
1. Badmaash
At this stylish Indian-inspired gastropub with vibrant hues and vintage Bollywood posters, Chef Pawan Mahendro creates modern dishes using traditional ingredients. Sample samosas (puffed pastry filled with short rib and pineapple filling) before diving into their signature Chicken Tikka Poutine featuring french fries seasoned with masala spices, cheese curds, gravy and tandoori chicken tikka. For something different try “Mom’s Recipe” Saag Paneer which features sauteed spinach tomato filling combined with garam masala spiced paneer cheese. Indulge in delicious drinks such as Bombay Cutting Chai, lime sodas and beers – they all pair well with each dish perfectly.
Chef Pawan and his sons take great pride in crafting dishes made from all-natural, locally sourced ingredients sourced whenever possible, without using flavor enhancers or thickeners that obscure natural flavors of their recipes. Their menu represents their journey from India to America and vice versa.
2. Cardamom
Cardamom (also spelled cardamum or kardamom) is an essential spice in many Indian recipes, made up of pods containing seeds from the ginger family and often toasted prior to grinding or use as part of cooking recipes. Individual pods may also be chewed upon individually for their aromatic qualities or used for teamaking.
Cardamom not only adds sweetness and aroma, but it can also provide some savory qualities. It pairs well with other baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, making a key component of garam masala (an Indian spice blend) as well as adding depth and character to stews or meat dishes.
Cardamom has been linked with several health benefits, including liver health and weight loss. Additionally, it may help alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality; research on this matter remains in its early stages. Cardamom is generally safe to consume; indulging more than the recommended amount probably won’t harm you; however it would be wiser if large quantities were avoided by those with high blood pressure.
3. Mayura
Mayura stands out in an otherwise studio lunch-dominated Culver City by not catering to the masses but by simply being exceptional. This family run spot, on the edge of downtown Culver City, has managed to thrive not by serving build-your-own salads but by providing northern meat infused dishes inspired by India’s vast geography.
Mayura is a term that loosely translates to peacock, and according to Abhinayadarpana is one of the many gaits used during an acting or dancing performance, along with accompanying hand gestures.
The Farm itself is one of Australia’s oldest and most esteemed pastoral operations. Their team consists of 20 full time employees working across their breeding herd, fodder and cropping operations, feedlot backgrounding operations as well as their on-farm restaurant ‘The Tasting Room. Their brand beef comes from Japanese black-haired wagyu cattle fed for at least 500 days without antibiotics or hormones for optimal quality meat with an AUS-Meat Marble Score score of 8.
4. Zam Zam Market
Los Angeles is an extraordinarily culturally rich city, making it hard to keep track of all its hidden gems. Recently, we highlighted Zam Zam Market: an unlikely and ingenious Pakistani market/restaurant/convenience store/takeaway that boasted almost no decor while operating with only limited menu items.
This unassuming space features a small counter and makeshift kitchen, where customers walk in, ask what’s cooking, and the staff provides some suggestions that they think would go well together. Sometimes there’s one large platter of grilled meat on offer while other times customers order individually from the menu until everyone has been fully satiated.
Chicken biryani is the star attraction here; this fragrant and spicy plate of fragrant rice scented with bay leaves and cardamom pods comes complete with tender tandoori-style chicken or cumin-seasoned lamb-and-beef kabobs seasoned with cumin spice blend. Add fresh chewy rounds of Iraqi flatbread as well as pickled wild cucumbers for an irresistibly satisfying lunch under $10!
5. Baar Baar
Restaurant Baar Baar, named for an endearing Hindi expression meaning “Again and Again,” celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage by showcasing its culinary traditions that reflect both Eastern and Western influences in a celebration of identity.
Food at The Masala Lab aims to go beyond traditional masala and naan menus and showcase more varied Indian cuisine. Chef Sujan Sarkar draws upon his global experience-from Delhi and London through San Francisco and NYC-to offer contemporary takes on regional Indian dishes that will appeal to diners outside of traditional South Asian demographics.
Baar Baar stands out from its competition with its inviting strip mall exterior and cozy and intimate atmosphere inside, where guests can choose between sitting on floor cushions or dining at the bar. Enjoy signature cocktails like the Lagaan made of gin, honeydew melon, kale and Midori; sample small plates such as Dahi Puri served with raspberry Chaat Masala or Malai Chicken Mac and Cheese; indulge in an Ayurvedic Thali that represents optimal nutrition – both flavors and textures essential for optimal health – or indulge in one of their traditional Thali that combine Ayurveda food styles and nutrition balance – making your experience seamless with all you need in one location! This casual vegetarian restaurant seamlessly integrates into an Indian grocery store offering all you need in one convenient spot – everything needed for optimal health can be found all in one convenient place!
6. All India Cafe – Glendale
Foodies looking for authentic indian cuisine must visit this upscale Indian restaurant. Their menu encapsulates India’s diverse cultures by fusing western and eastern influences into flavorful dishes that will excite their senses.
Hemant Mathur of Michelin-star restaurant fame has opened this restaurant as his latest venture and was recently recognized by Time Out magazine as one of their Top 20 Tandoor Masters. Offering everything from wild mushroom spring rolls that surpass all others to succulent black tiger shrimp suffused in saffron spice for an authentic Indian dining experience, you will not want to leave this establishment.
Food at Dwell is made using fresh ingredients prepared in home-style style without artificial coloring or preservatives, providing an extensive menu with options suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike.
Food at this restaurant is delicious and staff friendly and helpful, while service is impeccable and atmosphere inviting, making this an excellent spot for diners of all types and preferences. Particularly recommended for lovers of Indian food as well as newcomers to this cuisine; their extensive menu boasts classic favourites as well as exotic creations – so stop in today to experience it for yourself!
7. Saag Paneer & Biryani
Saag Paneer (sometimes referred to as palak paneer or spinach paneer) is an elegant Indian dish consisting of greens combined with paneer. This rich cheese adds depth and provides textural contrast when served alongside leafy greens folded up softly on their beds of spinach leaves.
This recipe for Saag uses a combination of spinach, fenugreek, amaranth and mustard (sarson) leaves to create a thick soup base before paneer cubes are added cubed form for texture and a spice mix is typically sprinkled throughout to add extra flavor and aroma.
Saag is often enjoyed with rice or naan and can range from mild to spicy, depending on your personal preferences. Home-made paneer is often the best way to create this classic Indian dish; however, store-bought options will produce slightly different results due to the different way it has been prepared and the type of saag being used.
8. Manas Indian Cuisine
The Valley in northern Los Angeles offers some of the city’s most diverse cuisine. Boasting neighborhood staples, hidden gems and up-and-coming chefs alike, this area has something for everyone to discover.
Manas Indian Cuisine strives to bring authentic North and South India cuisines to its Adams-Normandie location near USC, just blocks away. A selection of breads and rices are served alongside Northern meat-infused dishes like vindaloo and samosas as well as southern seafood plates and vegetarian options. Their lunch buffet features 12 courses every weekday for $8 and $10 on weekends.
Manas’ minimalist decor features unadorned walls, butcher paper covering tables, and heavily frosted windows – an effective combination to draw the focus to their delicious, aromatic food. Their menu boasts dishes like Uthappams (thick pizza-like pancakes) and Dosas (thin crepe-like pancakes made from lentil and rice), or try their signature Gobi Manchurian dish made up of cauliflower florets coated in batter before being baked in a sauce laced with ginger, garlic cloves, green onions, red chilies
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