Indian Cuisine
Punjabi Dhaba, Inman Square, Cambridge, MA
Website: Punjabi Dhaba //225 Hampshire St.
I love everything about Indian cuisine. The sauces, the spices, the samosas, bhelpuri, papri chaat, tandoor chicken. ALL OF IT. That said, there is nothing worse than bad Indian food and there are plenty of terrible and try hard Indian restaurants out there. Luckily for me, Boston has a few REALLY tasty Indian joints that I have come to love and frequent often.
My go to spot is Punjabi Dhaba. For cheap and delicious Indian food you must check this place out in Cambridge. Located in the heart of Inman Square, Punjabi Dhaba is a must. They have super friendly staff and fun Punjabi music playing at all times. The menu has every Indian dish you could ever dream of and the largest portions you will probably find. Every menu item is under $12 dollars and most dishes come with a bucket load of rice, Naan bread and side of Raita cumin yogurt dip. The portions are HUGE. I love the Chicken Tikka Masala which is a plate of tenderly cooked tandoor chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce and served with Naan, onions, and yogurt dip. My other favorite dishes include Vegetable Biryani and the Tandoori Platter which is half a tandoori chicken breast served with mixed veg curry, one Naan, one samosa and a side chutney and rice. If you don’t enjoy really hot and spicy items do not order this HOT, go with medium.
They are open every day from noon to 11:30 PM. You can do take out or sit-in. They have seating both downstairs and upstairs.
Chicken Tikka Masala in the back and Malai Kofta Lajawab in the front.
*Malai Kofta Lajawab is vegetable balls cooked in a curried red sauce with nuts & raisins
Another Indian spot I enjoy is Diva Indian Bistro in Davis Square, Somerville, MA
Website: Divia Indian Bistro // 246 Elm Street
Diva Indian Bistro has a lunch buffet on weekdays for about $9 per person with a lot of good options. I really enjoy their Vegetable Samosas and Dahi Bhala which are lentil dumplings smothered in yogurt and tamarind date chutney. The menu will definitely overwhelm you. You won’t know what to get because you have what seems like 1,000 items to choose from. They have many chaat and salad options, tandoori specials, regional specialties which include bhel and pav bhaji, tons of variations of dosa, and a long list of both vegetarian dishes and vegan selections. Pav Bhaji is from the western region of Indian; it’s a Bombay styled dish consisting of potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrots, tomatoes, beans and onions, and is seasoned to your requested degree of spiciness. I recommend this plate.
The restaurant is very spacious and tastefully decorated. I really like the bar area, it’s dimly lighted and mysterious. I definitely recommend chowing down here. It does get pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights so I suggest making a reservation.
Thai Food
3 Country Bistro, Woburn, MA
Website: 3 Country Bistro // 379 Main Street
Just looking at the name you wouldn’t think this is a Thai restaurant. BUT, it most definitely is and is my all-time favorite in the greater Boston area. They also serve sushi and Korean dishes too which is a bit odd but just roll with it. *I have not tried either but both have great reviews on yelp.
The Thai options here are extensive. What I like most about this place is the fact that it’s consistent. So many Thai restaurants offer a similar menu but have me eating the same plate that tastes slightly different every time I have it. I hate that! I also like that they don’t saturate their food in salt. Their dishes always tastes fresh and I know they are made to order. A few items that they do very well are Pad See You, Country Pad Thai, and Basil Fried Rice. The Pad See You is definitely my favorite, made with stir fried wild rice noodles (my favorite type of noodles) with egg, carrots, broccoli, and a homemade sweet soy sauce. I add chicken to mine if I am wanting additional protein. The sweet soy sauce is amazing- sweet and salty is the way to go. The Country Pad Thai is a spicier version of the traditional Pad Thai but if you like spicy you have to try it. If you like rice more than noodles try the basil fried rice. The basil leaves and Thai chili sauce is unique and very tasty.
They are open every day and serve until 9:30 PM during the week and 10:00 PM on the weekends. I usually get it to go but they have a cute seating area inside.
Another Thai favorite: The Similans in Cambridge, MA.
Website: The Similans //145 First Street
This place has a lot of unique menu items and a very relaxed and cool atmosphere. Try the Brown Sugar Mango Curry, which is a plate of freshly diced mangoes simmered with slices of tender chicken in a yellow curry base with a bunch of veggies and crispy summer squash. The Pineapple Fried Rice is full of interesting ingredients that work really well with one another. It’s FULL of shrimp, chicken, pineapple, corn, peas, raisins, and carrots, made with an egg and topped with slices of cucumber. It really is a random assortment of ingredients which throws you off when reading it on the menu but the plate is full of so much flavor and surprisingly satisfies any sweet craving you may have. They have a bunch of vegetarian and vegan options too which is a plus!
It’s a smallish place. Super cozy. The service is quick and efficient too which is nice. The sister restaurant is Brown Sugar on Comm Ave in Allston/Brighton. It’s on my list.