Looking for delicious South Indian vegetarian food in East London? We loved the Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham branch made us eat way too much than we could. Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham serves one of the best South Indian foods in the Eastern part of London. London city has so much world culture, it fascinates tourists as well as locals alike. Saravanaa Bhavan London restaurants, hailing from the South of India, are no different. The Indian community have a stronghold in the United Kingdom. Bringing a variety of Indian food and influences.
About Saravanaa Bhavan
Saravanaa Bhavan is a well-known South Indian restaurant chain that originated in Chennai, India. It has gained popularity for its authentic South Indian cuisine and has branches in various cities around the world. East Ham branch, when I went there, I had a pretty good experience. I have been there with my family and friends many times. Knowing my father lives in East Ham.
What is Saravanaa Bhavan Food Famous For?
Saravanaa Bhavan food is famous for its unique flavours, use of spices, and diverse range of dishes. It is characterised by a mix of traditional ingredients, cooking techniques, and regional specialities. Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham branch has kept all those features and ingredients that make South Indian food famous, including:
- Rice and Rice-based Dishes: Rice is a staple in South Indian cuisine, and many meals are centred around it. Popular dishes served by Saravanaa Bhavan include dosa (a fermented rice and lentil crepe), idli (steamed rice and lentil cakes), and uttapam (a savoury pancake with toppings).
- Coconut: Coconut is widely used in South Indian cooking, either in grated form, as coconut milk or as coconut oil. It adds a rich, distinct flavour to many dishes. You will be served Coconut chutney with almost every South Indian dish you order here.
- Sambar and Rasam: These are staple South Indian soups or stews that are often served with rice. Sambar is a lentil-based stew with vegetables, while Rasam is a tangy, spiced broth typically consumed as a soup. You’ve got to try the Rasam at Saravanaa Bhavan.
- Chutneys and Pickles: Saravanaa Bhavan features a variety of chutneys made from coconut, tamarind, mint, and other ingredients. These chutneys are served as condiments alongside the main dishes. Pickles, often made from mangoes or lime, provide an intense burst of flavour. Even if you order papadam, you will get a variety of chutneys.
- Spices and Seasoning: South Indian dishes are known for their generous use of spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried red chillies, and asafoetida. These spices contribute to the distinctive flavours of the cuisine.
- Tamarind: Tamarind is a common souring agent used in many South Indian dishes, providing a unique tangy taste. Sambhar has a generous amount of tamarind, you will have it with all South Indian dishes in Saravanaa Bhavan.
- Sweets and Desserts: The sweets offered on the menu and even on the counter are made from ingredients like jaggery, coconut, and lentils. Popular sweets include payasam (a type of pudding), Mysore Pak (a gram flour fudge), and various types of halwa.
Where is Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham Located?
Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham branch is in the heart of East Ham in East London. You can take the District Line from London City Centre and reach there. It’s a 5-minute walk from East Ham station to the Restaurant. You have the option of dine-in, takeaway and no-contact food delivery.
Our Top favourites you should try at Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham Branch
Saravanaa Bhavan East Ham branch typically offers a wide range of South Indian dishes as well as North Indian dishes. For me, they are famous for South Indian food like Dosas, Idlis, Sambhar Vadas, various rice-based dishes, curries, chutneys, and sweets. They often maintain the traditional flavours and preparation methods of South Indian cuisine. The chain is especially renowned for its vegetarian offerings, as many South Indian dishes are naturally vegetarian or vegan due to the culinary traditions of the region.
I am from north India, And I love South Indian food, due to its usage of rice, coconut, and pulses.
Starters at Saravanaa Bhavan
Appalam Papadam with Rasam
For starters, you can order Appalam Papadam with Rasam. The Appalam Papadam is thin crispy wafer-like crisp which is made of black gram bean flour. It’s light and crisp you can enjoy it with chutney or with hot rasam while you wait for your main course to come.
Gobi 65 and Paneer 65
Another delicious starters you should give a try are the Gobi 65 or Paneer 65. Pretty uniqie names given to these two snacks. Depending on the number of foodies with you, you can order both or have either of them:). Gobi 65 is a Deep fried cauliflower, florets coated with Indian spices, served with ketchup, fermented and mildly spiced onions with a slice of lemon. The bite is crunchy, and little oily but the spices used are lip smacking. Lemon squeezed on top of the snack goes very well.
Paneer 65
Paneer 65 is yet another crispy starter served at Saravanaa Bhavan. Diced paneer marinated with Indian spicy and deep fried. Chaat masala sprinkled over it, with tomato chutney, mildly spiced onion rings with a lemon slice. It’s super delicious, crunchy. You will love it if you like Indian cottage cheese.
Main Course at Saravanaa Bhavan
For main course, you gave a variety of south Indian dishes to try. We tried Masala Dosa, Plain Dosa, Onion chilli tomato uthappam
Masala Dosa
Thin crispy rice and lentil crepe stuffed with potatoes and onions. The Dosa’s are served with Sambar, Coconut chutney, tomato chutney and garlic chutney. The potato stuffing is not hot at all, rather a mild taste cooked in Indian Ghee.
Onion chilli tomato Uthappam
This is a delicious and healthy South Indian dish. It’s like a savoury pancake with toppings of chilli, tomato, and onions. Served with Tomato garlic chutney, green coconut chutney and coconut chutney. All variety of Uthappams here are made in ghee which gives it a very unique fragrance and taste.
Desserts
Falooda
For desserts, we tried the Falooda ice cream dessert. It is a combination of silky vermicelli noodles, vanilla ice cream, slithery black basil seeds, mixed fruits, milk, and strawberry jelly. All of the sweetness is steeped in a colourful bath of rose syrup. You must try it, while there are many delicious Indian desserts you will get to try here, this is also at the top.
If you’re in or around the East Ham area of London and looking for authentic South Indian food, visiting Saravanaa Bhavan could provide you with a taste of traditional South Indian flavours and dishes. Keep in mind that the specific menu and offerings might vary from one location to another. As mentioned earlier they also have North Indian food in the menu, you may go for the north Indian food as well. Being a North Indian myself I love it. Saravanaa Bhavan is known for its South Indian food, its Dosas, Idli’s, Sambar, and Filter Coffee 🙂 Bon appetit.
Recently we covered a review of Lahore One restaurant serving best Pindi Chole channa in east London. You may also want to have a read on this article.
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