Kashmiri Mania In Suburban Mumbai!!

If there is heaven on earth, this is it… Or so thought Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Well I haven’t made it to Kashmir recently, but I got a lip smacking taste of that heaven right here in Mumbai.  It’s a delectable slice of the Kashmir Valley and the best if not the only place in Mumbai, where one can count on authentic food from the land of the Dal lake – KongPoush.

Getting there might be a little adventure in itself. It’s tucked away in a by lane near the Goregaon Bus Depot. A steep staircase awaits. But it’s all worth it as you enter the charming and cosy little eatery.

Spacious shikara’s converted into dining area’s, life size pictures of snow capped mountains and THE most divine aroma.

You can start of with some kawah served hot or even chilled.

It’ll kick start your appetite for the feast that awaits.  There is also a comprehensive range of soups which sounded interesting but we got straight to the kebabs. You just have to get the Maaz(Mutton)  Seekh Kebaband the Maaz Kanti. Vegetarians need not fret; try the very interesting and delicious Nadir kebabs, that’s Lotus stems for the uninitiated.

Dive straight into the main course. If you can’t decide what to get, your best bet will be the Wazwan Thali. It has both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian version. Wazwan, a multi-course meal in the Kashmiri tradition, is treated with great respect. Its preparation is considered an art. Almost all the dishes are meat-based and it is considered a sacrilege to serve any dishes based around pulses or lentils during this feast. The traditional number of courses for the wazwan is thirty-six, but now one gets the real deal only at Kahmiri weddings. At KongPoush, you can have an ample sample.

But we went for the highly recommended Rogan josh and Goshtaba. Pair it with the Saffron rice and you’ll thank god for creating Kashmir and its food! You may have noticed a leaning towards the Mutton dishes, but it is after all, the best way to judge an authentic Kashmiri restaurant isn’t it? Kashmir boasts of at least 30 authentic ways of preparing this meat. If you prefer chicken, that’s there too; they call it kokurs. Vegetarians must order the cooked-to-perfection Dum Aloo, but there is an extensive range of vegetable and paneer dishes as well. Oh and of course, they can enjoy the delectable saffron rice with another Kashmiri specialty- Rajma.

Save some space in your tummy to end things off on a sweet note. If you haven’t fallen in love with Kashmiri food yet, try the coconuty Shufta. You’ll fall in love at first bite!

Let’s get to the Brass tacks then. To satisfy your taste buds over lunch or dinner, here is what you need to know;

Location:
KongPoush – Kashmiri Cuisine, Opp. Veena Apartments, BEST Colony Road,
Near Oshiwara Bus Depot, Off Link Road, Goregaon (West), Mumbai 400 104.

For reservations call:

98211 92910, 022 – 6539 1201

Timings
Mon – Sun:
Lunch Service 12:30 – 15:30
Dinner Service 19:30 – 00:00

If you’re lucky, the creator of the restaurant, Mr. Sunil Matoo may regale you with stories of Kashmir…Enjoy!

[Kartik Bajoria, a regular contributor, runs his own creative agency called BOLD & is also involved in Films & Music as a force of habit!]

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