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Quick lunch: One of the express lunch sets (nonvegetarian) to be introduced soon.
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INDIAN cuisine has a myriad of offerings with each region in India specialising in different styles of cooking. One of the less known culinary genres in Malaysia is Punjabi.
Apart from the ubiquitous chapati, you might not have heard much about authentic Punjabi fare. However, with the Ludhiana Station, the new Punjabi restaurant in town, be prepared for an unforgettable gastronomic experience..
Located near the Bangsar Village, the Ludhiana Station has been attracting a steady stream of customers, all coming back for seconds without the slightest hesitation.
Named after the largest city in Punjab, northern India – the Ludhiana Station was started by three good friends in January last year. “We noticed the lack of quality and wholesome food especially Punjabi, so we decided to open a restaurant that combines good food and warm ambience,” said Harbans Kaur, one of the owners.
She said that the food served at the restaurant did not contain colouring, preservatives, and MSG and was cooked with less oil.
“Our food is prepared just like how a typical Punjabi fare will be prepared at home,” she said.
Fresh and dry herbs such as star anise and cinnamon are used aplenty in Punjabi cooking together with onions, garlic, ginger, coriander, etc.
For starters, Harbans introduced Fish Achari Tikka, a tandoori fish marinated in a pickle based sauce and grilled in the tandoor. Tandoori Murgh, chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, and grilled to perfection is a must try. Despite being grilled the meat was still tender and succulent.
If you are a vegetarian, then you can opt for the Ludhiana Special Sizzler, a combination of paneer (cottage cheese), vegetarian tikkas and kebabs served on a sizzling hot plate.
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Fishy: The Fish Achari Tikka, marinated fish in a pickled based sauce and grilled in a tandoor.
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For the main course, the menu offered more than 50 dishes from five categories of vegetables, chicken, mutton, fish, and prawns. If you're stumped by the choices, don’t be frazzled as help is always available in the form of the restaurant's employees.
Harbans recommended Raarha Mutton and Jeera Rice for those who wish for something extra flavourful.
“Raarha Mutton is a hot and spicy mutton dish cooked in typical Punjabi gravy while Jeera Rice is cooked with fresh cumin, coriander and a secret combination of herbs,” she said.
She said that customers could also request for dishes to be prepared according to their preference in terms of spiciness.
Harbans also said that Punjabi food could be enjoyed better with a cup of hot Masala Chai.
The water is boiled along with a combination of spices before tea is added.
“The tea is made from a secret family recipe handed down from generation to generation, it belongs to one of my partners,” said Harbans.
She said that the tea was very good for blood circulation and digestion.
After a hearty meal, the next stop would be the dessert list and you can't go wrong with Rice Kheer or Kulfi (Indian ice-cream)
Rice Kheer, which is served chilled or warm is a concoction of milk, fragrant rice, almonds, nuts, and cardamoms. All ingredients are boiled together till it achieves a pudding-like texture.
Soon the Ludhiana Station will introduce its new express lunch sets – vegetarian and non-vegetarian – and customers can choose from a combination of rice, puri, chappati, or bhatura (puffed fried bread) along with dishes and papadam.
Besides Punjabi food, the restaurant also serves Mughlai cuisine such as naan and special pizzas made with naan.
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The right stop: One of the walls in the restaurant is decorated with photos taken in a railway station in Ludhiana.
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From July 13, there will also be a two-piece Hindi music band performing every Friday night.
“As per our customer’s request, we installed a bar in our restaurant recently. Punjabi food goes very well with wine,” said Harbans.
Ludhiana Station, 28, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2287 1359. Opens daily from 8am until midnight. Food is halal.
