Suryawanshi - Ghar jaisa khana

I come from the land of Bombay, where I spent most of my early years before moving to Pune. That said, I  grew up eating Maharashtrian food. Snacking on Poha, sabudana wada and misal and vada pav (all vegetarian snacks) is quite common there. A land where coriander, coconut, chilli, dried Kokum (Garcinia indica fruit), raw mango, garlic chutney adorn most dishes. Where your tongue dances with the spices and you can't stop yourself from taking another helping. As a kid, while reading or playing, I would catch a whiff of hypnotic aroma all around the neighbourhood, it would make my mouth water and I would start guessing the menu of the various houses in our neighbourhhood.

In Bangalore, I tried few Maharashtrian places but couldn't find anything authentic. Chaats and snacks would have a heavy dose of onion and carrot, something I have never been able to develop a taste for. I have spent countless days craving for Maharashtrian food, unless I make it myself I wouldn't get the same taste. And, as common in most cases, I don't really enjoy eating my own cooking as much as I would relish someone else's. It's quite simple, I love to feed others and love it when other people feed me! Now, do you understand my plight?

via GIPHY

After I left Pune, Maharashtrian food seems like a luxury, meant for rare visits, until I landed in Suryawanshi! A place that reminds me of home, my childhood and the time I fell in love with cooking. Suryawanshi opened its branch in Indiranagar in 2015, their main branch is in Whitefield where most of the food is prepared, is much bigger. Located near Double Road, ESI Hospital, Bangalore, this small but cozy place in Indiranagar will welcome you with a warm energy and old melodious songs. You'll be greeted by compassionate souls eager to feed you with a smile. Tejas who runs the place and Dhiraj bhaiya who serves and feeds everyone like a family member. Once you are seated, trying to figure out why are you feeling so nostalgic suddenly, the menu will confuse you with enticing dishes. Comprised mainly of seafood, Maharashtrian snacks, and various varieties of thalis to choose from.  

I would suggest you start with few snacks and then move towards the main course if you are in a large group. If you are going alone, order just snacks or go for the main dishes directly, otherwise, you won't be able to finish it all and we don't like wasting food now, do we? My favorite snacks here are vada pav, misal pav and sabudana wada here. These tasty and authentic starters will build your appetite well. Just look at them and tell me you are not craving for some...

Sabudana wada

Misal Pav

Egg Thali

Fried Pomfret

Veg Gala Thali

My comfort food here is dahi kadhi (a famous Indian dish made from butter milk and gram flour / besan) I can drink it forever! When I feel under the weather or miss home, I order dahi kadhi with plain rice and eat it with mango pickle. Dhiraj bhaiya somehow knows what I want to eat,  he reads my mind in an instant and feels happy when I eat properly. Veg thali is something that will fill you up nicely, the quantity is quite good. Listening to Lata, Kishore, Jagjit Singh and Abida's songs, while I eat, calms my soul. When I look around, I see people relishing the food and gobbling it up enthusiastically.

Dahi Kadhi

For non-vegetarians, there are loads of options too, in chicken, mutton and fish, I'm told by my friends that they are pretty good! I would recommend Malvani sumai fry, bangda fry, Kohlapuri chicken sukha and Kohlapuri masala mutton.

Mutton Thali

Chicken Thali

I'm yet to visit their Whitefield branch though I absolutely adore the one in Indiranagar. They have 3 flavours or natural ice-creams like, mango (seasonal) Pan and (the best!!!) Guava sprinkled with chilli powder!

Gauva ice-cream

They have Puran Poli (an Indian sweet flatbread from Maharashtra, India) too that tastes a bit like holige but is quite good.  I do wish they would introduce few other dishes soon like basundi (sweet made from thickened milk), sabudana khichdi, bharli vangi (stuffed egg plant) and Jowar bhakri (flat bread made from sorghum flour).

Puranpolli

Since the day I have discovered Suryawanshi, I drop in or order from them at least once in 10/15 days. They have always been helpful in ensuring that the food reaches me. You can find them on Zomato, Swiggy and Food Panda for home delivery. By the way, another reason these guys are becoming quite famous is that they accept Bitcoins! You can also make payment through PayTM and debit/credit card. The cost for two people would be around 800 including tax.

Based on consistency, I would give this place a rating of 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ chillis.

Located at: Srinivasan Towers, ESI Hospital Road, Off Double Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore / 2nd Floor, Santosh Tower, 3rd Road, Near SBI RACPC Branch, EPIP, Whitefield, Bangalore.
Call: 080 45128693

Timings: 9:30 AM to 4 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM
Alchohol: No

Parking: Available

Disable friendly: No but they are very helpful so you won't have a problem

Pets Allowed: No

Wifi: Yes (only in Whitefield branch)

Ideal for: Family, couples and friends.