Tasty Chapathi (Viva Residency)

This restaurant tucked far north to the city centre is worth the trek, especially if you enjoy your North Indian food. Black marble tables and cushioned chairs give the interior an almost classy feel, but it is mostly homely vibes we feel in here next to the many groups of families dining in. Unlike what its name suggests, Tasty Chapathi's best trait is not its chapati, but rather their Special Dum Biryani (from RM17.90). Only available for lunch, we advise having this on the holidays — the impending food coma does not bode well with work days. Basmati rice is cooked in an earthen pot with spices and meat (chicken, fish, mutton or prawns), emerging flavour bombs that balance the spice-savoury and meaty profiles. Try the mutton for deeply flavoured, melt-in-your-mouth chunks! For add-ons, get some gravy-laden sides, great for sopping up rice and bread (if you're ordering any, it should be the Onion Kulcha or onion-stuffed, layered bread at RM6.50). The Chana Masala (RM11.90) sees perfectly tender chickpeas swirled in decadent masala sauce — the same for their Bhindi Masala (okra, RM13.90), so it really depends if you prefer beans or greens. The sweets counter sports colourful variety but after that feast, it's safest to go with a light, sweet tea. The restaurant serves a specialty Punjabi Tea (RM3.50), a slightly spicier version of the usual Masala Tea (RM3.50).
Avg price per person: RM25

Among our favourite orders here, we also tried the Sizzling Gobi Manchurian this time around.

The result was sadly, disappointing. Whereas their other dishes nail the perfect texture and intensity of flavours, the cauliflowers here fell victim to the sizzler’s unforgiving heat. Instead of the crisp batter, and then tender cauliflower typical of Gobi Manchurian, these were just soggy in their oversized selves. The sauce is sweet, sourish and just a tad spicy — almost good enough to save the dish but not.

The good news is, the menu’s varied enough to keep you from ordering this. Go for the Chana Masala (RM11.90) for super tender chickpeas in a beautiful golden gravy, Garlic Naan (RM6.50) for chunky garlic-loaded bread and all the Biryani you can eat. The fish and mutton ones reign supreme.