MELBOURNE | MELBOURNE | Housed in a strip mall in front of a community leisure centre and bowling alley on an industrial street, Parantha King & Mehkhana isn’t the kind of place that you find without knowing that it’s there. Walk inside, and you’re greeted with a no frills space. A counter with the kitchen behind it to one side, a long bench with stools facing the window, and a few seats and tables. It’s the kind of place that’s focused at the local community who know what’s what.
The menu is extensive, featuring an assortment of North Indian homestyle and street food dishes. Think curries, chaat, biriyani, and assortment of flatbreads, and thali. There’s dishes that will be familiar to those with a passing knowledge of Punjabi cuisine, along with several that you won’t find in Indian restaurants that are closer to the centre of town.
Parantha the popular Indian flatbread of which there are many different names and regional variations, is a signature, as evidenced by the name of the restaurant. I opted for the version stuffed with paneer and spices, served hot, topped with a good dollop of ghee. To the side, raita and achaar (pickles). Eating the crispy, flaky delight made me very happy.
I also went for a recommendation made by the person serving me, Amritsari kulcha. It’s a crispy on the outside, soft on the inside flatbread filled, in this case, with aloo gobi, a mix of cauliflower, potato, and spices. Topped with a chunk of butter, it’s served with chole (chickpea) masala, tamarind onion relish, and, raita. It’s a wonderful blend of flavours and textures, and well worth ordering.
Finally, a favourite of mine, goat saag wala. A rich and aromatic spiced spinach-based curry with tender, fall of the bone, goat meat. It’s perfect with some garlic naan, or one of the many other varieties on offer, to scoop everything up.
To drink, there’s a selection of classic Indian options like flavoured lassi, masala chai, and fresh pressed juices. There’s also a nice little selection of Indian macro craft beers, and Indian spirits.
Parantha King & Mehkhana
3/41-53 Miller Street
Epping
Victoria 3076
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9424 1279
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Sun – Mon: 10:00am to 9:00pm
Tue: 12:00pm to 9:00pm
Wed – Thu: 10:00am to 9:00pm
Fri – Sat: 10:00am to 9:00pm