In the summer and fall of 2021, I went to NYC twice to explore the city’s diverse food scene, especially it’s Indian cuisine! Across two trips, I spent at least four full days eating Indian and South Asian food!
From dosa carts in Washington Square Park to Michelin-star Indian food in Manhattan, these two trips were an Indian food experience I will never forget!
I started my adventure in the East Village in Manhattan with my friend Marco, where we hit up a veg spot called Punjabi Grocery and Deli for veg pakoras, aloo samosa, chana masala, palak mushrooms, and more. Then, we hit up NY Dosas in Washington Square Park for some amazing dosas before ending with Indian bowls at Ambo.
Then, my friend Marina and I headed to Junoon, a Michelin Star-winning Indian restaurant in Manhattan for masala pork ribs, eggplant chaat, tuna puchka, tandoori octopus, Tellicherry duck, nadru mattar, and more!
After that, my friends Nikita, Tasos, and I set off to Jackson Heights in Queens to check out the Bangladeshi and Nepali district. We had amazing momos at Amdo Momo, outstanding fuchka at Bangali Street Food (the first fuchka food truck in the United States), and some sweets and kachi biryani at Premium Sweets & Restaurant!
Next, my cousin Paulina joined me for some delicious Indo-Chinese food at Tangra Asian Fusion in Queens, where we had Tangra masala soup, chickin lollipops, chicken fusion tacos, masala fried rice with shrimp, chicken momos, chili chicken, saffron kulfi, and more!
Next up, I spent a whole day exploring the Indian restaurants on Curry Hill in Manhattan with my friends Ankush (the restaurants’ owner) and Tasos! We started at Sahib Indian Cuisine for their renowned chicken biryani before hitting up Dhaba Restaurant for kababs and sarson ka saag. Finally, we visited Chote Nawab for tunday kababi, and got chili paneer and momos at Wok in the Clouds!
After that, my boy Steve Yalo and I hit up Saravanaa Bhavan for some dosas, vada, and idli. After that, we headed over to Tong Bangali Street Food for a fuchka-eating challenge!
Next, my friend Nikita re-joined me for masala dosa, malabar curry, pani puri, idli nuggets, stuffed naan, and more at Khiladi. Then, we got a kathi roll, pani puri, and an Indian poutine at Desigalli. At Malai Marke Indian Cuisine, we ate paneer tikka, Achari chicken, Kundapur chicken curry, lamb karahi, and more! We ended with dahi puri, cauliflower 65, chicken ghee roast, and more at Baar Baar.
And finally, I met up with Ming and Ben from The Bing Buzz at Benares in Tribeca, where we had Chicken 65, khasta gobhi, tandoori lamb chops, dum biryani, tandoori prawns, ras malai, and much more!
My name is David Hoffmann. For the last 13 years, I have traveled the world in search of unique culture, food, and history! Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have explored over 1,200 destinations in 84 countries, which I welcome you to check out on my YouTube channel, travel blog, and social media.
I focus a great deal on food and historical sites, as you probably have seen! I love to experience the different flavors that each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining. I’m also passionate about learning about the local culture.
P.S. Thank you for watching my videos and subscribing!
