A thali is a homestyle Indian meal made up of various dishes that complement each other – a bit like a communal meal, just for you.
You can’t say you’re a real food lover until you’ve tried at thali
You can’t say you’re a real food lover until you’ve tried at thali. It’s is how many Indian families typically eat at home and while there are a few on offer around Manchester, we reckon that Indian Tiffin Room do the best.
There’s more to enjoy during August and September, too. Simply order a thali for lunch at Indian Tiffin Room - and get a free soft drink on the house.
A thali is a complete meal – starter, main and sides - served in small, silver dishes on a large plate for one person to enjoy. Each dish contains a different curry, lentil dish, rice or pickle. There’s no need for starters or extras, either, as they are included as part of the deal.
Simply place your order and await your personal banquet. The ITR menu changes every day of the week so, in theory, you could visit every day and have a completely different experience.
There’s never been a better time to try one, as ITR are offering a free soft drink with every thali ordered at lunchtime on Tuesdays.
Options include Mughli Chicken, an almost sweet, creamy dish, imbued with fresh tomato flavours and tender chicken breast. Vegetarians, meanwhile, can explore dishes like spinach paired with crescents of waxy potato, mustard seed and chilli.
On the side you’ll find a stir-fried vegetable curry, such as ITR-spiced fresh courgette and pea (pictured), a lentil-based dish like green mung daal, a raita yoghurt dip and fluffy white rice. Crowning glory is a puri: a golden, puffed wholemeal bread pancake that’s seriously more-ish.
Starters could include delicately spiced vegetable pakoras and elegant lentil fritter (Mysore bonda), perfect dipped in raita.
How to enjoy a thali
A thali is a unique experience no matter how you tackle it. But with so many dishes to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. We asked our waiter and he explained that South Indian cooking has inspired much of ITR’s menu. In that region, people often eat the lentils and rice first, followed by vegetable or meat and puri, with the vegetable side dishes and raita at the end. It’s delicious either way.
What to drink
Indian Tiffin Rooms stocks Manchester’s largest range of Indian wines and whiskys (see our full preview here) – or why not try a traditional soft drink on the side? In India, it’s common to order a salty yoghurt drink that’s blended with fresh coriander and mind-meltingly refreshing called chaas with a thali.
Other options include sweet yoghurt drink called lassi and Badom (almond) Milk. Finish your meal with traditional puddings like milk dumplings (gulab jamun), saffron-infused semolina (kesari bath), and everyone’s favourite: kulfi.
Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or an occasion to remember, the new Indian Tiffin Room on First Street has it covered with a traditional lunchtime thali.
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