Week 14: South Asian Inspiration
From Savour The Summer to The Flavours of Fall
Welp, our #SavourTheSummer adventure is officially coming to an end, but thankfully we saved one of the best cuisines for last.
Officially rolling up the beach blankets and putting away the bocce balls, we are leaving our summer vacation behind and seeking out some cozy comfort food.
From Chicken Tikka Masala to Kabuli Pulao and everything in between, we are winding our summer down with some delicious South Asian inspired restaurants here in the Tri-Cities.
Read on to discover some of our favourite Indian, Afghan and fusion restaurants right here in our hometown, and don’t forget to get out and #SavourTheSummer while you still can!
Goodbye Summer, Hello Heat
Boasting a vast array of spices, South Asia is well-known for it’s aromatic flavours, bold colours and (sometimes) hot dishes.
While in India, hot spices such as chilli, peppers, turmeric, and cumin are often used in to give curries a strong, flavourful kick, Afghanistan natives prefer their dishes to be neither too spicy nor too hot. Using Persian influences, Afghanistan utilizes coriander, mint, sabzi, dried fruit and yogurt in their cooking to make their favourite meals savoury, fatty and complex.
Whether you love spicy ingredients or mild flavours, we are positive you will find something to love at one of the following local restaurants:
Port Moody
Aroma Indian Restaurant & Lounge
Located on Queen St. in the heart of downtown Port Moody, Aroma’s has been a local favourite since 2011. This award-winning restaurant has everything you need for an authentic Indian experience. As they say on their website, “with over 26 years of experience, our team of professionals coupled with the beautiful ambience and delectable cuisine will make for a most enjoyable affair.” Sounds good to us!
Coquitlam
If you don’t have time to explore multiple restaurants this week, we highly recommend a visit to Jamila’s. This Indian, Afghan and Greek fusion restaurant is a one-stop shop for delicious South Asian cuisine. From Afghanistan themselves, owners Malik and Jamila have become proud members of the Coquitlam community and even offer a “No Money, No Worries” policy to help give hot meals to those in need.
“Great food. NAAN stop.” Their slogan says everything you need to know about Coquitlam’s Tahn Door Indian Eatery. This local favourite boasts a fun, welcoming and unique atmosphere and serves delicious, traditional Indian food to boot! With 4 spice levels to choose from, Tahn Door has something for everyone. Learn more about authentic Indian cuisine and cooking traditions on their educational website: here!
Port Coquitlam
Nestled in the heart of Port Coquitlam on Shaughnessy St, Day 2 Day serves mouth-watering Afghan dishes that will have you coming back for more! This family owned and operated restaurant has a mission to create high quality meals by putting 100% of love and dedication into everything they serve. Visit them today for a Kubideh Kebab, Chicken Leg with Blueberry Rice or fan-favourite dumpling!
As they say on their website - “all the classics, done right.” Located to the east of the Coquitlam River right on the Lougheed Hwy, The Bombay has been a resident favourite for many years. From Aloo Tiki and Gobi Pakora to Gulab Jamun and Ras Malai, and everything in between, The Bombay has what you need for an authentic Indian fine dining experience.
Your Favourites
As always, make sure to include your favourite South Asian restaurants in the comments below!
We have had so much fun #SavouringTheSummer this year - If there is one thing we have learned about our local community, it is that we have a ton of amazing cultural cuisines right here in our backyard.
Even though summer is coming to an end, we encourage you to continue supporting our local restaurants, breweries, pubs and eateries.
And if you’ve been inspired to step out of your comfort zone this summer to try something new, we hope you continue to do so! We have so much more to explore right here at home, and we hope that you get out and explore the #Tri-Cities too!
