Sarposh - Experience Kashmir — Restaurant in Bengaluru

Sarposh – an ode to everything Kashmiri!

The cuisine from the paradise on earth, Kashmir in India, reminds me of its simple yet rich and distinct flavours. Though it has been invariably influenced by various cultures over the centuries, the cuisine dates back to 14th century, when people from Samarkand migrated to the valley during the Mongol invasion. And their descendants, known the Wazas or cooks, prepare the traditional Wazwan, a celebratory meal for the special occasions such as weddings.

In Bangalore, this cuisine is not easily available, though there are few places who serve the Kashmiri food. Sometimes, many five-star properties do host the Kashmiri food feast. Recently, I visited a brand-new place, called Sarposh - Restaurant and Tea Room, that serves authentic Kashmiri wazwan in a 'Trami' as well as à la carte. They also offer a host of Kashmiri teas and Kehwas served with traditional breads and bakery items.

Owned by a Kashmiri living in Bangalore, Azmat Ali Mir, who is very passionate about her cuisine and culture, this place serves authentic Kashmiri Wazwan. According to her, “Sarposh is not just about authentic food, but is an overall experience of community”. Situated on 80 feet road, Indiranagar on the first floor, the ambience has vivid glimpses of Kashmir through its artefacts and décor.

For the near authentic experience, we opted for the traditional Kashmiri community style seating. Our hands were washed with a Tasht and Naari in the traditional style. Food was then served on a Trami which is a large copper platter, covered with a lid called the Sarposh. For the starters, we were served mildly spiced minced mutton threaded on a skewer and grilled to perfection, Maaz Seekh Kebab, on the bed of rice. It was followed by Waza Palak te Rista, finely hand pounded, velvety textured meatballs cooked in an aromatic stew made of spinach cooked in traditional Kashmiri spices.

The three vegetarian dishes that followed, were the Waza Heddar, a succulent mushroom dish with rich curd based red Kashmiri gravy along with the famed Dum Aalu, a whole baby potatoes, cooked twice in a rich Kashmiri curd based gravy and the Ruwangan Chaman , chunky paneer simmered in a rich tomato gravy -sauce, flavoured with fennel seeds and Kashmiri spices.

Then came the chicken dishes, Waza Kokur and Kokur Daniwal Korma. While the first one was a quarter Chicken twice cooked in an aromatic red gravy and served dry, the later was a chicken korma, cooked in a yogurt based white gravy flavoured with generous helpings of fresh coriander.

Some of their signature condiments served to us included Pudne Chetyn, a light chutney made out of green chillies and fresh mint and Gande Chetyn, a crowd favourite, spicy thinly sliced onion chutney with green and red chillies, mint and coriander leaves and Vinegar. Leymb Babri Byol, a Basil seeds, lime and mint based cooler was also served during our meal.

For the desserts, we had Zafraan Halwe, a toasted semolina cooked in the flavours of saffron, cardamom and clove and their best seller Zafraan Firin, a creamy and delicious pudding made of rice, milk and saffron and garnished with dry fruits and nuts.

As no Wazwaan is complete without tea, we too had our share of Zafraan Kehwa, signature Kashmiri hot and sweet beverage flavoured richly with saffron, cardamom and almonds.

This place imbibes the true spirit of Kashmir through its food. It was really heartening to know that to maintain the authenticity of the cuisine miles away in the city, not only their kitchen team consists of Wazas from the valley but also their majority of non –ingredients are sourced from Kashmir on regular basis. Indeed, one of the best bets to have an authentic Kashmiri meal...

I have been a bit shy of trying out Kashmir food here in Bangalore, I braved ordering from a couple of famous places and did not enjoy the food much, though I was not sure if they were authentic and I did not like it or otherwise.

When your neighbor messages you just after a lunch at Sarposh heavily recommending the meaty flavours, what do you do? Order your dinner from Sarposh – The Restaurant & Tea Room, serving fine Kashmiri cuisine that is as authentic as it can get in namma Bengaluru. In Fact the people who run the place are from Srinagar and source some of the non-perishables from the Kashmir valley, directly. No wonder, they won the Times Food & Nightlife Award in the Kashmir Casual Dining & Delivery category.

Coming to the food, I had chosen to order the Meal For One – Mutton Meal, a four course special that is priced at Rs. 649, that lets you pick from four categories of Main Course Gravy, A selection of Kashmiri Rotis or Saffron Rice, a decadent dessert and a traditional drink. Though I would have preferred to add in a starter pick instead of a dessert or drink option.

My choice was the Mutton Rogan Josh, Girda Roti, Zafraan Firin and a Leymb Babri Byol.

Mutton Rogan Josh – For someone who has always had a rogan josh in buffets, the real deal from a restaurant celebrating Kashmir Cuisine is such a change. Now I absolutely understand why a Mutton Rogan Josh is celebrated as one of the top Indian curries. I loved the flavours of the mutton beautifully rendered into the gravy through the fat, the spices are something very new to my palate and it was fabulous with the fluffy Girda. There was a single large mutton piece that had been tender cooked and beautiful meaty flavours, possibly because of all the slowcooking in its own juices. A top notch classic that is a must try here at Sarposh. I was specifically asked to pick the Rogan Josh and not the Hind Rogan Josh, so I recommend that you follow that too.

Girda Roti – This medium sized, fluffy yet hard roti is a celebrated breakfast dish enjoyed with butter, jam or both. Because of the distance, the bread had become cold and hard, nevertheless I loved the fluffy bread that just absorbed the rogan josh beautifully and completed my delicious meal. I was told this is a bread that you dip in your morning chai and make breakfast out of it, I must try that sometime. I wish I had added another roti to my meal.

Leymb Babri Byol – Simply a Kashmiri lemonade infused with mint and basil seeds, a refreshing drink, perfect for this summer, though it was way more tangy for my palette.

Zafraan Firin – This Saffron infused phirni is something that was a beautiful mix of rice, milk, saffron, with a balanced sense of sweetness and understated richness. I did not get to eat much thought, as wifey devoured most of it.

I called the restaurant immediately after placing the order through Zomato to clarify a few things, and I was pleased with the polite and pleasing response, requesting me how to reheat the meal properly, especially the Girda, and loved the care and attention to detail.

A highly recommended place for enjoying authentic Kashmiri Cuisine, for me this was just a start and it is going to be more visits to devour the other deliciousness that Sarposh...

Update on 23 sep:

Mr Azim had called and he was quite enthusiast to know as to what went wrong. Finally he offered to serve us. He chooses to send take way food- on the house. No question asked on this. Finally my taste bud which was starving to have authentic Kashmir food final got a chance to have them.

Guy I don't care what ever food you have or not in this restaurant but dare not to mix out Rogan Josh and Firnni. There is nothing like these dishes...

FYI on the house treat menu had : Rice, kokur murg, rogan Josh and Aloo dum, firni. In comparison to chicken vs mutton. I being chicken lover i couldn't resist the Rogan Josh taste...

The "kashmir lal mirch" flavour and taste you can sense in these dishes.

I wish they open few more branch in Whitefield or other parts of Bangalore to serve the residents. !!!

I was impressed with the fact that owwner took the feedback in postive way rather then replying on the review !.. much much APPRECIATED EFFORT 😀

Aloo dum prepration was out of the world it was not like regular...

Definitely waiting for occasion to order from them again....

BELOW experience was could be a exception....

Below is the update on August:

Rating of 1 star due to below lack of service

Well i had heard a lot about kashmiri dishes so did some google and decided to try this restaurant.

Well due to covid saftey concern i planned to order for takeway. I faced number of challenge in it. Swigy of Zomato doesn't deliver if resturant are 6-7 km away. 2 i decided to dunzo it once resturant confirm the food from my own expense.

I called up there reception to place the order and to know how to make the payment. They conveyed me to place via website. The website name is very absurd and it's doesn't work for me as distance is far. Now i told i will do a take away on my own expense despite that fact the receptionist was talking politely but it felt she is not instrsred to take down the order.

Once i stsrted to dictate my order she asked if i can hold so that i can confirm the food item sre avaliable or not ?!!.. i was thking like are u running on mintuante basis grocery bor what ??

Well she came and i asked what type of bread are available like lavasa and Gridi.. she said we don't have any bread... As party bis going on Saturday 5 September... It was really disappointed that a resturant in Indiranagar want to do business and they don't have a option for bread despite that fct consumer is really ready to shell out extra charges for delivery.

I asked if the bread will be there on Sunday can u confirm with chef. I never heard from them after that.

They arr least instrsred in customer service.. my order was not a party order it was nominal for two persons just because wanted to try kashmiri cusones...

Thank God I did not go to pick up riding as i had planned this as well.. such a waste...