Little India’s Speciality Dishes: Origins and Ingredients

Whether you’re in the city for work or pleasure and are looking for the best restaurants in South Kensington, don’t miss Little India. Perfectly located close to some of London’s most famous attractions, and just a stone’s throw from Earl’s Court, this is where you’ll find authentic Indian cuisine in the heart of London. Here are some of our specialities that are sure to catch your eye.

Paneer Jalfrezi

As one of the best restaurants in Kensington and Chelsea, Little India serves up specialities that ensure diners come back time and time again. A dish that stands out on the menu is Paneer Jalfrezi. Jalfrezi is a popular spicy, stir-fried dish created during the British Raj, possibly as a way to use leftover meats. It’s now incredibly popular in Britain and can be made with meat, fish or vegetables with a spicy, thick sauce made from onions, peppers, tomatoes and aromatic spices. Little India puts a unique twist on this dish by serving it with Paneer, an Indian cheese that keeps its form when cooked and absorbs the flavours of the spices beautifully. 

Meat Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh is one of those heart-warming, memorable dishes that originates from Kashmiri cuisine. It’s celebrated for its deep flavours, which enrich the gamey taste of the mutton we use in our version. The name has Persian and Urdu origins, with ‘Rogan’ meaning oil or ghee and ‘Josh’ referring to braising or stewing. The dish is a signature part of a multi-course Kashmiri feast and is served in all its glory at Little India. If you want to try an authentic Indian dish cooked to perfection, be sure to add this to your order.

Tandoori Butter Chicken

If you’re looking for a hearty yet mild dish that’ll satisfy your appetite, we recommend the Tandoori Butter Chicken, which is a particular speciality at Little India. A fusion of flavours makes this dish especially delicious: the chicken is marinated in spices and yoghurt then grilled in a tandoor oven, giving it a smoky flavour, and the sauce combines tomatoes with butter and cream for a rich, indulgent taste. These ingredients give the dish a sense of decadence and opulence. Tandoori Butter Chicken pairs well with rice and naan, and can be eaten with sides such as Sag Aloo.

Bhuna Egg

Bhuna is a South Asian curry dish with a cooking method characterised by frying spices and meat or vegetables over high heat to create a thick, intensely flavoured sauce. At Little India, we make this dish into a vegetarian delight using medium hot eggs that are cooked with onion, capsicum and traditional herbs creating a medium spiced dry sauce.

Sample our specialities

These are just a handful of our speciality dishes, all of which you can try at our restaurant on Gloucester Road. As one of the best restaurants near South Kensington, we offer a truly authentic menu with uncompromising taste. Book your table today and enjoy some of the best Indian cuisine in the Kensington and Chelsea area.