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    Namak Mandi

    3.9 (11 reviews)
    ModerateAfghan, Pakistani
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Namak Mandi Photos

    NAMAK MANDI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Namak Mandi

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    The feast!
    Sam L.

    In Pakistan, that feast of 190 million minds on how to cook the best karahi and how to beat India at cricket, the only thing spreading around the country faster than the militant "Islamic" theology of the Deobandi schools of the north west, is the food that they eat! This is the so called "Namkeen cuisine" (trans. salty) of the North Western regions of Pakistan, in and around the historical city of Peshawar. This particular flavour - or, perhaps, an approach to cooking - has been rapidly growing in popularity around the country, so much so that even the restaurants offering "Western" dishes, have had to modify their menus to accommodate the demands of the public. Now what does this have to do with London and with Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver? Well, nothing on the surface of things; what's another "curry house" in Tooting, that hub of South Asian food? First, the British curry (e.g. tikka masala, vindaloo, balti, butter chicken) is legitimately good food, and yet so far removed from the real food of South Asia. Second, Tooting has some great British curry restaurants, but that's not why you would go there. Among them are a few excellent and authentic eateries with trying. Thirdly - and finally - Namak Mandi stands out as the only restaurant offering that authentic taste of the Northwest of Pakistan in addition to the atmosphere and ambience. So, you should go, and when you do, call ahead to reserve a place - upstairs - so you can sit on the carpets and cushions like we do in Northwest Pakistan. (The place is full in the later evenings and on special South Asian and Muslim holidays such as Eids.) When there, drink as much green tea as you can; get started with it, drink it during the meal, and after it. (It's on the house). Then order the Qabuli Pulao - that scrumptious national dish of Afghanistan, now indelibly a part of Namkeen cuisine after millions of Afghan refugees have lived in the region over the past forty years. It comes with a heavenly hunk of slow cooked lamb inside. Then order a Namkeen Karahi - the signature dish of the whole cuisine - whether lamb or chicken. Then order a chapli kebab (sandal kebab) to try the local take on a hamburger patty. The chopan kebab (shepherd's kebab) is as close as you'll get to authentic Afghan lamb kebab in London. Of course order naan, as it is the best and biggest naan around for a long way, and eat using your hands and naan, using the spoon to help if you need it. The vegetarian dishes are excellent too, especially the "tarka daal" This has become my favourite restaurant that reminds me of home in south Asia. Now it is not the typical British curry house, but an excellent cultural experience. Most of the staff speak Pashto, so here are the key phrases to impress them and show your appreciation: Hello: salaam alekum I trust you are well: bakhair hosay, zhwinday hosay! Excellent!: der-kha Thank you: der-manana Good bye: khudai pamaan

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    8 months ago

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    4 years ago

    Grew up eating namak mandi in Peshawar - trust me this place is legit for Charsi tikay and lamb karai!

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    Spice Village Tooting - vegetable empanadas, garlic naan, (forgot) lamb, chicken biriyani

    Spice Village Tooting

    3.5(19 reviews)
    0.1 miUpper Tooting
    ££

    Not being a local, it's hard to decide between the many curry restaurants lining Upper Tooting…read moreRoad. So I took note of an award given to Spice Village on its window saying it was the favourite curry house of the locals. Not sure though about a picture of the local MP eating here with the stock of MPs being at a historic low. It feels like a family restaurant with a lot of functional tables in the dining area and in common with most of the Upper Tooting restaurants, an open kitchen. I loved watching the chef make my roti in the tandoor oven. A bad start as they didn't have onion bhajis, my first choice starter and the mango lassi tasted artificial, possibly from a bottle. However, the methi gosht had nice spicing - fenugreek I think being the predominant flavour - and the lamb was tender. The roti was light and a good foil. 3.5 stars but not quite enough to tip it into 4 stars at the moment.

    Came here with some friends who used to live in the area and knew the best local joints. They told…read moreme about this place and that it was great value, had tasty food all in a simple location. They were right, except about the location. Since my friends have last been there they have totally renovated the place and now It's a stunningly fancy setting with long couches for seats, multiple chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and an intimate vibe. Don't be too intimidated though, you won't need a shirt and tie. Service was fast and efficient. Expect a wait if you don't make a reservation, so try to phone ahead. I ordered the peshwari naan which is sweet and stuffed with cream and a cocoon filling. It's really a meal on it's own, but I had it with the lamb korma, which was fantastic. It was served piping hot, and was deliciously sweet and nutty. Even with the fancy decor, prices are still reasonable with Nann between £2-3 and the dishes from £7 and up. My korma was £9. I look forward to returning and would recommend the place for anyone who would like a nice curry in a nice setting.

    Photos
    Spice Village Tooting
    Spice Village Tooting - Spice village tooting

    Spice village tooting

    Spice Village Tooting

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    Maiwand Restaurant - Qabeli Palow - rice with lamb, carrots and raisins.

    Maiwand Restaurant

    5.0(1 review)
    11.6 miFeltham

    We went to Maiwand Restaurant one Sunday lunch in May with a group of friends, after being…read morerecommended this place. I have had Afghani food before and always really enjoyed it so was looking forward to trying a new restaurant. The atmosphere when you enter is very warm and calm, with beautiful decorations and lighting on the walls, and the service was courteous and professional. However, it was the food which will lead us to return to this place. The rice dishes were outstanding... with one vegetarian in our group, we had the rice with spinach but we also tried the rice with lamb. Both were excellent. The lamb was very tender in all our lamb dishes (we had three different ones) and the dumplings and starter pastries filled with leek and potato, which we have never tried before, were delicious. This is a great place for groups of friends to have a nice meal at good prices and whilst they don't have a license to serve alcohol, they do allow you to bring your own drink and there is even an off licence next door if needed. There is also parking directly outside the restaurant and also on nearby side streets. Having had a lovely, relaxing time at this place, combined with delicious food and good value prices...we will be back.

    Photos
    Maiwand Restaurant - Lamb kebab and lamb stew

    Lamb kebab and lamb stew

    Maiwand Restaurant - Bolani filled with leeks and potato - delicious!

    Bolani filled with leeks and potato - delicious!

    Maiwand Restaurant - Ashak - Afghani dumplings stuffed with leeks, coriander and spring onion - another excellent vegetarian dish

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    Ashak - Afghani dumplings stuffed with leeks, coriander and spring onion - another excellent vegetarian dish

    Namak Mandi - afghani - Updated August 2026

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