'I visited London's biryani bar and can't believe no one's had this idea before'

Degchi recently won the British Street Food award for ‘Future Food Legend,’ highlighting its potential to transform the street food scene. They only serve one dish, biryani, aiming to showcase authentic flavours rather than modifying their food to suit the audience.

They are on a mission to encourage other street food stalls to specialise in just one dish, rather than offering lengthy menus that cater to popular tastes. The founder, Omair, noticed that many stalls alter traditional recipes, and he seeks to bring genuine Pakistani street food to London.

He told MyLondon: “Street food is adapting to the audience, but the audience needs to adapt to the authenticity of traditional food. We aim to change the industry by showing how biryani is traditionally served, not like in typical London takeaways - that’s not biryani.”

READ MORE: ‘I visited one of London's most popular street markets for the first time - it’s now one of my favourite spots’

Degchi is the only Biryani Bar in the UK
Degchi is the only Biryani Bar in the UK -Credit:MyLondon

They offer two delicious options: a chicken biryani and a vegan variant featuring potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and green beans, both priced at £11. The biryani is cooked in a ‘deg,’ a traditional pot with a narrow neck and round bottom, from which Degchi gets its name.

While the vegan option may stray from tradition, both dishes are marinated in the same curry for over 24 hours, using a recipe from Omair’s mother. He said: "At the end of the day, it’s about carrying on what your mom taught you. I learned everything from my mom.”

Omair added that ultimately, he wants to see customers smile and return. He said: “We put a lot of love and passion into our food, prepping the biryani from scratch on location to deliver quality and flavour."

I sampled both biryanis, and they were delicious — perfectly spiced with just the right kick. A unique addition to the biryani experience was the side salad and toppings, including fresh coriander, yoghurt sauce, crispy caramelised onions, and a samosa pastry. The onions, which are made on-site, were an absolute highlight for me.

The bowl you get for £11 is huge, it will definitely leave you full
The bowl you get for £11 is huge, it will definitely leave you full -Credit:MyLondon

I am now a fan of street food stalls that focus on a single dish to perfect their recipe. This biryani was exceptional; you could taste the freshness and high-quality spices, unlike any other I’ve tried before.

Omair said: “We focus on mastering this dish rather than offering a takeaway menu with over 50 items, where everything tastes the same and lacks authenticity.” Degchi’s commitment to perfecting Biryani is evident, and I can’t wait to return!

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