ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: 59, Ground Floor, Opposite Jyoti Niwas College, Koramangala 5th Block, Bangalore
Time: 8 AM to 10:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 450
Cuisines: Cafe, Street Food
Facilities: Home Delivery, Vegetarian Only, No Alcohol Available, Smoking Area, Outdoor Seating, Wifi
Chai Galli, Koramangala 5th Block, Bangalore: DECOR
Posters of Bobby and Sholay are arrayed along one wall and the music is old Bollywood. Another wall sports close-ups of chai in many forms and a line-up of kettles is part of the décor. Chai Galli, on the Jyoti Nivas College Road in Koramangala, combines the colour and atmosphere of a dhaba with the warmth of a cosy café. It’s the ideal setting, then, for a long, leisurely tea session.
Chai Galli, Koramangala 5th Block, Bangalore: FOOD
The tea is the thing here and there are variations aplenty to choose from. And, no, it’s not from a tea bag, a depressing practice adopted by the big café chains. At Chai Galli, your beverage comes freshly brewed in elegant, white tea pots with an option of a pot for two or four. I began with the Adrak Chai, an excellent pick-me-up with the spice and heat of ginger. The Masala Chai is perfect and I loved also the Rajasthani Chai with its exotic hints of cardamom and saffon.
I asked to have a peek into the kitchen and see the tea station. The tea is brewed in gleaming brass pots and the spices are hand-ground with pestle and mortar.
can often be over-brewed in an effort to make it strong and lose its quintessence. Here, it’s flawlessly made.
Chai Galli takes the tea-drinking experience several notches higher with its food. While there’s Nachos and Pizza on the menu — I didn’t even look in that direction — the rest is all chatpata street food-inspired creations from various parts of the country. I’d heard good things about the Poha here and they weren’t an exaggeration. This simple dish is well made here and makes a good breakfast choice.
The veggies on Khakra is a take on pizza with a double layer of Khakra forming the base. It’s topped with an assortment of vegetables and cheese and was surprisingly good. Another dish that uses Khakra here is the Khamani. A mound of crumbled Dhokla is served on a Khakra and mouthfuls of crisp Khakra and fluffy, slightly sweet Dhokla make a delightful accompaniment to a glass of Cutting Chai. The Dal Pakwan was tasty, but I didn’t think the topping of Kachumber (salad) added to its enjoyment.
If you are eating just one thing at Chai Galli, go for the Chhole Kulcha. I was told the cook is from Amritsar. The soft Kulcha, stuffed with paneer and aloo and the dark, tart, intensely flavoured Chhole took me right back to the city of the Golden Temple. Chai Galli’s Falooda is also a must-try and they do Haji Ali-style Fruit Creams, which are rich and delicious.
Chai Galli, Koramangala 5th Block, Bangalore: SERVICE
The serving staff pour the tea with care. And if you order, say, the Jasmine Tea, they will help you brew it just right at the table.
Chai Galli, Koramangala 5th Block, Bangalore: PLUS AND MINUS
The tea and the desi fare are excellent.I did wonder though about the presence of Pasta and Risotto on the menu.
