JOIN USLocated in Koramangala, 5th Block, next to Sukh Sagar, is a hidden abode for connoisseurs of Punjabi cuisine called Aao G Khao G.
The place is small and cosy, with only five or six tables and is owned by Shivachander and Uma Kalhan, originally from a little village in Punjab called Sheikhupur, in Kapurthala.
When you enter the restaurant, the smell of all things Punjabi is sure to transport you to a sarson ka khet. “We wanted to bring the roadside food culture of Punjab to Bangalore. We haven’t invented these items, but we’ve introduced it here,” shares Shivachander. “For us, this kind of food is common back home. But people here find it uncommon and those who have tried our local flavours have become our regulars,” he adds.
The USP of the place lies in three special items — Punjab di mehak makki da paratha, the Kapurthala di king of kulchas and the Amritsari bheega kulcha with chhole. Each thali costs upto Rs 69 and is served with chhole, sabzi, curd, butter, chutney and pickle.
“You normally get makki ka roti with sarson ka saag. But the makki da paratha has the taste of the villages of Punjab. It’s rare to find this, even in Punjab itself! Even the stuffed kulchas are different from what you get in other places because they are made on the tava, not the tandoor,” explains Shivchander.
It would be ideal to combine any meal with a lassi, which is made in the traditional way — using a madhani. If you’re not a big fan of that, the doodh roohafza is worth a try.
If one wants to go for something lighter, there is a wide selection of chaats to choose from. The Punjabi aloo tikki, dahi bhalla chaat and dahi Punjabi papdi chaat are popular items and are priced between Rs 39 and Rs 59.
The taste of the food is authentic and the secret behind this is the combination of spices, that lend the right flavour. “We have a set of homemade masalas, which we call AGKG masala. But we obviously won’t outsource them,” jokes Kalhan.
However, not all the original recipes and flavours work for their customers. The owners have had to tweak some of the dishes to meet the customers’ needs.
“For instance, the bheega kulcha is supposed to be khatta (sour). But here,
people think that’s spoiled and don’t enjoy it. A few changes like that have had to be made over time,” notes Munna, one of the cooks in the kitchen.
The next time you’re having a party or just want to order some delicious Punjabi food, call 8861846797 and eat to your heart’s content.