Chaat, Hot or Cold at Indus Express – NYC
Let’s chat about chaat. (Stop groaning, you know I had to go there). Chaat, the roadside Indian snack usually served as an appetizer in most restaurants in Curry Hill can also be found in Midtown. I first heard about the chaat at Indus Express on Midtown Lunch. Since then, the Samosa Chaat ($4.95) has been my go-to chaat on days I want a filling, but not gut-busting meal.
The Samosa Chaat consists of two potato samosas topped with chickpeas, diced red onions, tomatoes, mangoes, fresh cilantro, and sev (small crunchy noodles made from gram flour). A spicy mint chutney and a thin yogurt is included on the side. Tangy and spicy, with added crunch from the sev, it’s a satisfying little meal, spice and texture-wise. Once my order of samosas was a little doughy on the inside, but it wasn’t egregiously so.
However, now that summer is practically upon us, I’ve been craving cool foods, cool foods that still have flavor. (No salads please.) Luckily, I recently ordered the Chicken Chaat ($4.95) on one of the hotter days this month, and was happy to discover it was served cold. Ingredients are similar to the Samosa Chaat (with diced tandoori chicken replacing the samosas), but cold, the spicy medley tasted crisp and refreshing. I especially liked the sweet mango in the mix. It’s a nice contrast to the heat, and cold, it just makes more sense. Tamarind and mint chutney is included on the side.
It’s supposed to be close to ninety this week. May I suggest the chicken chaat?
Indus Express
48 W 48th Street (b/n 5th & 6th Ave; map)
NY, NY10036
(212) 221-7952
I don’t remember this looking so good when I went last year… your pictures make me want to go back!
My stomach can’t take spicy anymore… 🙁
Looks really good!
@Nicholas – Come back! Wait you’re in Taipei you lucky bastard!
@someguy – Oh no, you need to work up your tolerance again. I can’t live without spicy food.
I just went to Indus Express and forgot to order the Chicken Chaat… Hope my stomach can take the Vindaloo and curry I ate.
@someguy – Haha, good luck!
I ate the Chicken Chaat yesterday. Not bad! Sweet, sour, and spicy…although I told them not to make it too spicy. 🙂
BTW, I believe the Samosa Chaat is $5.95.
@someguy – This week is perfect for it. So hot! I have the receipt for the Samosa Chaat. It’s $4.95 before tax; unless they raised the price in the last few weeks…
I had the samosa chaat and ordered a naan. On the menu the prices are $5.95 and $2. My total order was $10.25. How is that possible?? I didn’t realize this until I went back to the office.
@someguy – Bizarre, maybe there was a mistake at the register? I’m hoping it was at least….
Yup prob; the girl at the register looked like she didn’t want to work there.. lol