Place: Pappu da Dhaba
Location: 19 Adelaide Rd, Southall
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 28 July 2024
On our way back from Wales, we decided to head to Southall, craving some good Indian food. Our first choice was Delhi Wala, a restaurant we’ve visited recently that serves authentic Punjabi vegetarian food at decent prices. Delhi Wala is definitely on my must-try list in London, and I hope to write a review soon. Unfortunately though, given that it was a Sunday, this place was closing early, and while looking for alternative options, we came across Pappu da Dhaba a little further down the road. I couldn’t be more glad that we found it, for this place is a foodie’s heaven!
This is a super small joint similar to what you’d find in India, nothing fancy. The restaurant had about ten tables, and in one corner, a Sardarji was freshly preparing dishes to order. Thanks to the in-house cooking, the place filled with smoke every time he added a tadka — Pappu da Dhaba is not a restaurant for the faint-hearted😅.
We settled down toward the back, closer to the cooking range (as it was the only table available). The tables were a bit small and crammed, covered with old plastic tablecloths. While it was a bit suffocating, there was a cooler fan facing us, which made things more bearable. However, I didn’t really care about any of this because the food being cooked smelled amazing, and I couldn’t wait to try it. We ordered the standard Paneer Butter Masala and Malai Kofta with some Tawa Roti and Naan.
In a few minutes, a large plate of salad with onions, cucumber, carrots, and radish was placed on our table. A squeeze of lemon, and I was ready to dig in!
All the dishes arrived at once, and because of the small table size, we struggled to fit everything on it, but we managed somehow.
The Malai Kofta tasted delicious. The mixed vegetable kofta balls were soft and tender, melting in the mouth. The gravy had the perfect consistency; however, I felt it was a little too tangy for my liking. Despite this, it was a great dish overall.
The true winner, however, was the PBM. The paneer pieces were soft and fresh, making each bite a delight. The gravy was one of the best I’ve had in recent times — rich, creamy, and incredibly smooth. Every bite. was bursting with flavor, making it an absolute treat for the taste buds. It was simply yummilicious and left a lasting impression. (My mouth is watering just thinking about it!)
The Roti was soft and decent, while the Butter Naan was a bit too thick for my liking. However, I had no issues with the Garlic Naan I ordered for myself.
To further enjoy the gravies, we ordered some Jeera Rice. It was served soon, and tasted yum, although the cumin seeds were a tad burnt. But again, I was in no mood to criticize, as I was indulging in it with the delightful PBM.
We ordered a Lassi to finish things off, and a large Patiala glass full was served, reminiscent of the style at Punjabi Affair in Hyderabad. It was thick, not too sweet, and just perfect to our liking.
Overall, it was an excellent meal, albeit a small one. Both curries were outstanding, with the Paneer Butter Masala making a lasting impression on my palate. The service was friendly and super quick. Despite the passable ambiance, this is a gem of a place. I’ll definitely be dining here often!
Food: 9.5/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Meal for 4: £31.00
Verdict: 9/10
P.S. I did come back to Pappu da Dhaba within a week, this time with a few friends who feasted on their Butter Chicken, which they said was very good. I ordered the Paneer Butter Masala again, along with some Chilli Garlic Mushrooms.
The PBM was excellent, as expected. The mushrooms were also super tasty — perfectly cooked and sautéed in a tangy sauce. I was initially apprehensive about ordering them, but they did not disappoint.
I’m sure you’ll be seeing more versions of Pappu da Dhaba on my blog, and I hope it always lives up to expectations!
