Kachori: First look at Elephant and Castle’s new modern Indian with former Gymkhana chef

A new, all day regional Indian restaurant opens in Elephant and Castle on June 2, serving dishes from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and the Punjab.

In charge of the kitchen at Kachori at the Elephant Park restaurant will be chef Brinder Narula, formerly executive chef at Benares in Mayfair, and the Michelin-starred Gymkhana before that.

Narula has put together a modern menu drawing on influences from the regional communities of the Marwari, Jains, Raiputs, and Moghuls.

Small plates will include bikaneri raj kachori, a puffed lentil and wheat sphere with sprouted moong, sweet potatoes, yoghurt, tamarind, pomegranate, and sunflower seeds, and a dal chilli taco with asafoetida-tempered mashed potatoes and coconut chutney.

Alongside curries – one of cod with lemongrass, mustard, galangal, coconut and tamarind; another of slow-cooked beef with caramelised onions, curry leaves, Teliicherry black pepper, garlic, and green chilli – there will be a pao and burger section.

A standout dish to come might be the Indian-style fried chicken burger, or meat and fish cooked in the tandoor, from Murgh chicken to Rajputana lamb chops.

Kachori will host 132 covers – 96 inside and 36 on the terrace – and the cocktail and wine lists will be extensive. Brunches and Sunday lunches will follow in July.

The concept was dreamt up by Sorowar Khan, the founder of the Borough-based restaurant Mango, and the hospitality consultant Humayun Hussain.

Kachori is open for soft launch today at 12 Ash Avenue, Elephant Park, SE17 1GQ. More instagram.com/kachori_london