Kachori is a modern Indian restaurant in the award-winning leisure, office and residential green space development of Elephant Park, in London’s Elephant & Castle area. Feature by FnB columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.
The spacious new restaurant, which opened in June 2023, has a capacity of approximately 132 covers (including on the terrace outside). Open 7 days a week, the restaurant, serves modern cooking from the Indian Subcontinent, it is an all-day dining concept, serving Breakfast to Dinner. Kachori, a modern Indian dining restaurant showcases the delights of cooking across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and the Punjab – including influences drawn from the regional communities of Marwari, Jains, Raiputs and Moghuls.
The restaurant has renowned the chef Brinder Narula at the helm who is running the kitchen as executive chef having been inspired by his extensive travelling and was the esteemed ex-Benares Exec Chef and ex-Gymkhana Head Chef. Then heading the kitchen at Kachori is Chef Manpreet Ahuja, formerly at Café Spice Namaste as Head Chef with Chef-Ower Cyrus Todiwala and the legendary Chor Bizarre in London’s Mayfair.
The restaurant is the dream of Sorowar Khan, founder of the popular Borough-based restaurant Mango, who has been able to fulfil his vision with expert input of food and hospitality consultant – and Kachori concept creator – Humayun Hussain. Humayun Hussain, is a well known Food & Hospitality Consultant is the Concept Creator, Project Manager & Consultant of Kachori. Since the restaurant opening Humayun continues working on Kachori as the Operations Director and second in command to the owner dealing with all relevant matters concerning the front of house and back of house, operational matters and customer liaison as well all promotional aspects on a winder level of the restaurant and locally within Elephant Park.
Talking about the menu it is resplendent with vibrancy, magic and colour: kachori sits at the heart of the small plates menu: little puffs of fried bread, here as Bikaneri Raj Kachori, a puffed lentil and wheat sphere, sprouted moong, sweet potatoes, yogurt, tamarind, pomegranate, sunflower seeds; or, as the restaurant’s signature version, Truffle & Matar ki Kachori, green peas & black truffle stuffed Kachori, black chickpeas & carrots pickle.
There is a definite nod to street food across the menu offerings, such as Dal Chilla Taco, crispy lentil crepes, asafoetida-tempered mash potatoes, shengdana podi, Mathania chilli and coconut chutney. There is a whole pao / burger section to the menu, offering belters such as the BC Chicken Burgerbuttermilk crunchy chicken fillet, brioche bun, mango chutney, lettuce, coleslaw, tomatoes, shengdana crumble, BC sauce, with masala chips as well as a delightful tandoori menu, offering beautiful vegetables, meat, game and fish, like the Sarson Sea Bream bream, turmeric, carom, mustard, quinoa Jhalmuri or the paneer dish of Paneer ke Sooley, chargrilled paneer tikka, Rajasthani sooley masala, fig chutney.
A whole bigger plates section completes the fayre: Malay Meen cod loin, lemon grass, galangal, yellow mustard, coconut, tamarind et al. It’s a delectable menu throughout, and discerning diners are sure to be spoilt for choice.
Kids too are well catered for, and drinks have not been ignored either, with the bar serving cocktails and mocktails and also a fine range of wines, beers and spirits.
The vibe of the restaurant is upbeat, upscale and upmarket yet comfortable and relaxing. The service is attentive and impeccable with friendly staff suggesting options as needed. The decor is exceptionally tasteful and the lighting in the evenings creates a soothing dining atmosphere. The food presentation is superb, portion sizes are generous and the taste and flavours are on point. All in all Kachori restaurant is an excellent addition to the dining out scene in its area and in London. An amazing dining experience awaits…Highly Recommended!