Heritage Khorikaa — Restaurant in Assam

A Taste of Tradition: A Detailed Review of Heritage Khorikaa, Guwahati

Heritage Khorikaa is a celebrated culinary institution in Guwahati, known for its dedication to authentic Assamese cuisine. It's a place that transcends a simple meal, offering a journey into the heart of Assam's rich and flavorful culinary heritage. Whether you are a local seeking a taste of home or a tourist eager to explore the regional flavors, this restaurant is a must-visit.

Ambiance and Atmosphere

The moment you step into Heritage Khorikaa, you are greeted by an atmosphere that strikes a perfect balance between cozy and traditional. The decor is often described as rustic yet elegant, with warm lighting and tasteful elements that evoke a sense of Assamese culture. It's not a flashy, modern space, but a comfortable and inviting one, making it ideal for a family lunch, a casual get-together with friends, or even a solo meal. The environment is bustling and lively, especially during peak hours, which adds to the authentic dining experience.

The Food: A Culinary Journey

The menu at Heritage Khorikaa is a testament to the diverse and vibrant flavors of Assamese cooking. Their focus is on traditional, age-old recipes, and they excel at delivering dishes that are both comforting and exciting.

The Thali Experience: A popular choice for many diners is the traditional Assamese Thali. It's a complete meal that provides a fantastic overview of the cuisine, typically featuring a variety of dal, a leafy vegetable stir-fry, a mashed dish known as pitika, a sour curry called tenga, and a special alkali-based dish called khar. This platter is a perfect way to experience a range of flavors in one sitting.

Must-Try Non-Vegetarian Delicacies: The restaurant is particularly famous for its meat dishes. For me, the absolute standout is the Pork with Black Sesame. This dish is an incredible showcase of Assamese cooking, where the rich, earthy flavors of the pork are perfectly complemented by the nutty, slightly bitter notes of the black sesame paste. It's a deep, complex flavor profile that is both unique and deeply satisfying. Other highly recommended dishes include the Pork with Lai Xaak (mustard greens) and the Broiler Chicken with Bamboo Shoot Curry, which offers a unique and tangy taste profile. Another highlight is the Duck Meat Fry, a delicacy prepared with traditional spices that many find to be a true taste of home.

Khorika Specialties: As the name suggests, the khorikaa (a type of smoked or grilled dish) is a highlight. These dishes, often made with chicken, pork, or fish, are smoky, tender, and packed with flavor.

Service and Overall Experience

The staff at Heritage Khorikaa are generally described as polite, helpful, and knowledgeable about the menu. They are often happy to provide recommendations and explain the ingredients and preparation methods of the dishes. While some patrons have noted that service can be a bit slow during busy hours, the general consensus is that the exceptional food more than justifies any wait. The prices are also considered very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, making it an excellent value-for-money restaurant.

Final Verdict

Heritage Khorikaa stands out in Guwahati's dining scene as a beacon of authenticity and tradition. It's a place where you can savor the true flavors of Assamese home cooking, prepared with care and served in a warm, welcoming environment. The Pork with Black Sesame, in particular, is a dish that I would come back for again and again. It is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to explore the culinary heritage of Assam. The incredible food, reasonable prices, and genuine ambiance make it a must-visit for a truly memorable...

Chef Atul Lahkar's Heritage Khorika has been one of the prominent places in Guwahati for ethnic Assamese cuisine. Chef Lahkar started the ethnic food popularisation in Assam by first setting up Khorika in 2007 and then the Heritage Khorika in 2014. Today the city is bursting with ethnic food restaurants, but both the Khorika's still stand tall. Things have changed a bit now since there is much more competition, and if they do not work hard, their reputation can only support them for some time.

The positives: The quality of the food is still quite good, with the diversity of items ranging from different kinds of fish (including small fish, which not many restaurants offer) to duck and pork. The signature khorika (barbequed) sticks are still good. I tasted the pork khorika and is was well done with adequate number of good pieces. The food is also fresh and hygienic.

The negatives: The prices are on the higher side, with a vegetarian thali (no non-veg thalis are available anymore) priced at 210. This price would still be okay if they did not have such a limited number of items and with no second servings unless you insist. For those who cannot do with onions, you're out of luck since only lemon and green chillis are served with the thali. The service is slow and the staff do not understand the concept of giving the thali first and the other orders subsequently if it takes more time. They will wait for all your orders to be ready before serving, so better be prepared for a long-ish wait. The ambience can be much better since currently it is very dimly lit and looks like a night diner even on a sunny day with very little sunlight allowed inside.

Overall, this is still a good place for Assamese ethnic food if you are in the vicinity, but if you want quicker and cheaper food, this is...

I have been hearing about this place from long time as I visited I got the parking with struggle near the petrol pump which was very confusing if we could park there or not or for whom the parking was . I was about to take lift then a person said it's just in first floor where 4 more other person along with me were confused where is the restaurant . Since the board is in top floor it seemed it's in top floor . On entering the restaurant was packed with people and the ambience looked great . Got a table to sit instantly . After sitting for more than 10 minutes and no response I had to go to the cash counter from my table at last to ask for the menu. Finally I got the menu I gave the order . The food arrived and I loved the food . Matter of fact there was not a single person to attend to us. Even for water or anything extra we need . It was for all the tables. Food once served and the staff duty is over it seemed . A great restaurant with unprofessional staff was a big no for the restaurant . The person at cash counter or manager was not even intrested to check if a customer needed anything or not . The only staff I could see an aged man cleaning the tables and dishes diligently and he is to be appreciated. I would give ZERO FOR SERVICE AND 3 Star for food . "A great restaurant becomes great not only with good food but with its service."

As level 8 Google Guide and foodie I would suggest the owner to keep professional staffs and atlist make them trained and curtious to ask customers if they needed anything . It was not seen in any table. Price reasonable . . Food good . . Online payment can be done . If service improved it will definately be the best ethnic restaurant...