Mirch masala, Tooting

What else is there to do on what is essentially a free day on Good Friday then head out for a leisurely stroll followed by lunch? Our stroll took us through the heartlands of St Reatham in London, through Wandsworth and up to the corner of Balham and Tooting Bec high street. It was here we turned left and entered a world of delicious smells, bright colours and exotic paraphernalia. We were in tooting, heading to Mirch Masala for the cheapest and most cheerful curry possible.

 

 

We arrived at about 2pm and had perhaps missed the lunch rush as we had forgotten just how long a walk it is from the GH. They must have had a lunch time rush as they were out of poppadums’ and mango juice, would you believe.

 

 

Regardless, we sat at a formica table and greedily scoured the menu, safe in the knowledge that our food should come quick. Yet again, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, so a starter of onion bhaji to share and then three curries between us and a naan bread each.

 

Gipsy Spread opted for the lamb methi and I chose the mixed dahl and the paneer tika masala to adorn my plate.

Everything arrived at once, which was how we had wanted it, keen to tuck into all at once, it’s a wonder I didn’t end up biting a finger, which has been done in the past when hungry and eating with my hands!

Everything was fresh, the spices just rightly balanced and the portions voluminous. We seemed to be eating for hours, but I was still beaten by the amounts, even with Gipsy Spread doing his best. Well, a takeaway as well it was then.

This non assuming curry chain has an excellent and well-deserved reputation amongst students and the employed a-like for its good quality and generous offerings at bargain prices. We paid just £23 for all of the above with a tip. Keep it up Mircha masala. Its well worth a trip to visit, and then pick up an array of spices at the many Asian supermarkets on the street.