And the perfect Bollywood movie pairing to enjoy with it.
By The Masala Team
With so many famed Indian restaurants established across Bangkok, it’s a rare occasion for any Thai-Indian household to order in their favourite kebabs and subjis. We’d much rather get the whole family together so we can dine out, enjoy the ambience, and fight over the bill. But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit our choices for eating out, we’re shining a light on a few hidden gems in Thailand’s wealth of Indian restaurants, specialising in takeaway, so you can indulge in the safety of your own home!
Indian Food (Phetkasem)
Must-try Dishes: Chicken dopiaza (THB 160), Plain rice (THB 50), Butter naan (THB 45)
Delivery Options: Foodpanda and Grab
With several different branches located across Bangkok, the aptly-named Indian Food chain of restaurants offer some of the most delicious and inexpensive Indian takeaway dishes in the city. Cheap and cheerful, their Phetkasem branch stands out in particular with their consistently high-quality curries and freshly made naans. This is no-frills comfort food, similar in style to British-Indian cuisine, with hearty, slow cooked gravies full of ghee and spices. Their Chicken dopiaza is an exemplary take on the classic Hyderabadi dish, with heaps of melt-in-the-mouth onions, tender meat, and a rich, buttery gravy. Pair it with one of their soft, savoury naans and you’re in for a real treat.
Movie Pairing: Pather Panchali (1955)
Paying homage to Indian Food (Phetkasem)’s Western influences, the go-to watch for this takeaway is none other than Satyajit Ray’s ground-breaking Pather Panchali. A landmark in Indian cinema, this film was heavily inspired by Italian neorealism, a cinematic movement of the 1940s characterised by portrayals of working class life. A hard-hitting coming-of-age story, the film follows Apu (Subir Banerjee) as he navigates a tumultuous childhood in a poverty-stricken Bengali village. A classic piece of Indian cinema to go with your classic Indian takeaway.
Dum Handi Biryani
Must-try Dishes: Their signature biryanis in flavours like King prawns (THB 450), Chicken Hyderabadi (THB 379), Veg Lucknowi (THB 325), and Mutton Malabar (THB 449)
Delivery Options: Foodpanda, Grab,
LINE and Facebook: @dumhandibiryani1
When ordering Indian food, it can be tricky to pick delicacies that’ll remain fresh after their commute through Bangkok’s infamous traffic. However, one dish that’s a great choice for an evening in is biryani, especially when it’s served in a traditional clay pot like Dum Handi Biryani’s. Offering a plethora of options from different regions across India, each ½ kilogramme biryani pot is cooked in the traditional Dum pukht style, which involves sealing the pot with dough or cloth to slow cook the rice, meat and vegetables in their own aromas and juices. This makes every dish that much more flavourful, something you just can’t get from biryani served in a simple takeaway box.
Movie Pairing: Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Historians believe that biryani originated in Persia and was brought to India by the Mughals. Some stories even suggest that biryani’s origins can be traced to Mumtaz Mahal, the queen who inspired the Taj Mahal, who used to instruct her chefs to prepare hearty dishes of meat and rice to keep her soldiers full. To pay tribute to the roots of this dish, we recommend pairing it with the epic historical romance, Jodhaa Akbar. A feast for the eyes, the film centres on the romance between Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) and Princess Jodhaa Bai (Aishwarya Rai).
Sri Ganesh
Must-try Dishes: Mysore masala dosa, Idli manchurian, Gobi 65, Filter coffee (prices on request)
Delivery Options: Call 02 651 1335
If you’re looking for a heavy dosa-ge of classic South Indian fare, look no further than Sri Ganesh, a hidden gem in Sukhumvit Soi 13. Homely and welcoming, the vegetarian restaurant offers, in our unanimous opinion, the best dosas in the city, with generous portions of chutneys to pair (the red chutney is a must try). Their extensive menu also spans an array of thaalis, side dishes, and comfort-food favourites like their Chole bhature, perfect for a weekend family brunch at home. For those who can’t start the day without a bracing cup of joe, don’t forget to order their Filter coffee, which you can cool down the time-honoured South Indian and impress your family with your traditional skills.
Movie Pairing: Swades (2004)
What better way to enjoy dosas than with a cult classic remake of a South Indian cinema jewel? Although Swades, which features none other than the Bollywood king himself, Shah Rukh Khan, received widespread public and critical acclaim, few know that it was a remake of the Kannada film Chigurida Kanasu (2003). Following the story of an NRI (SRK) who returns to his homeland where he discovers both love and his life’s purpose, this feel-good film will leave your hearts as full as your bellies when it – and your meal – ends.
Saras Veg Food
Must-try Dishes: Corn kernel (THB 195), Honey chili potato (THB 180), Pani puri (THB 125), Pao bhaji (THB 215).
Delivery Options: Foodpanda, Grab or order via www.sarasvegfood.com
If you want to live on the veg when ordering in, Saras Veg Food offers a range of comforting street food from different regions across India. With their menu spanning over 200 dishes, there’ll definitely be something to satisfy everyone in your family. From flavourful finger food options encompassing Bhel puri, Dahi puchka, and Papdi chaat, to heartier options like their marinated kebabs, rich curries and Indo-Chinese specialties. Saras also offers a selection of set meals ranging from simple yet comforting plates of Aloo puri, Rajma chawal, and Chola batura to more extensive options such as their Gujarati thali and North Indian thali that boast three savoury dishes, a sweet dessert, and several breads, so you can easily sample the best that Saras has to offer at home.
Moving Pairing: The Lunchbox (2013)
The Lunchbox is a film devoid of the melodrama you’d expect from an Indian film, focusing instead on the journey of food and the way that it connects people. The film centres on a mistaken delivery that ends up with a housewife (Nimrat Kaur) and an older man (Irrfan Khan) communicating their hopes and dreams through notes in a lunchbox. This hearty movie pairs well with an array of authentic Indian dishes you can savour over good conversation. As they always say, the way to a significant other’s heart is through their stomach, and The Lunchbox proves this to be correct!
Curry in Boxes (Soi Chan 51)
Must-try Dishes: Butter chicken balls (THB 140), Aloo gobi sabji (THB 80), Prawn biryani (THB 130), Daal makhani (THB 80), Garlic naan (THB 25)
Delivery Options: Place your order a day before via their Facebook: @curryinboxes
Born out of love for food and for each other, Curry in Boxes is a humble home kitchen managed by Chaloampol (Amy) Pimwan and her Indian husband, Chef Sunil Kumar. The couple launched the delivery venture with the aim to popularise Indian food amongst locals, and the business has since grown tremendously. Currently, you can order from an array of home-style options from carefully curated vegetarian and non-vegetarian sets, complete with a curry of choice and either naan or rice to soak up all the goodness. Most popular is their Thali set (THB 250) which offers six flavour-packed dishes for wallet-friendly prices.
Movie Pairing: English Vinglish (2012)
A heartfelt pairing that represents two worlds coming together, much like Amy and Sunil’s cooking, English Vinglish is a tale of empowerment about a simple middle-class home cook (Sridevi) named Shashi. Revered for her excellent ladoo-making skills, the love for her art and her determination to share this love leads her on an exciting journey when she visits New York. She enrols in an English course and meets Laurent (Mehdi Nebbou), a French cook who is smitten with Shashi. The two develop a bond over their shared belief that “food is love”, a message to resonate with as you savour each bite of your Curry in Boxes meal.
