If you want to spice up your life, come try Punjabi food with me!
Growing up in an Indo-Canadian household I was often embarrassed by my Indian heritage and as a result, would shy away from my native food. Being surrounded by individuals from different outlooks on life I commonly heard that Indian food was “smelly” and “spicy” which eventually led me to refer to the food in the same way.
But as I grew older, I began to appreciate my culture and the food that came with it and quickly realized that the food I once referred to as “smelly” was just aromatic, and the “spicy” flavours mimicked my family’s culture and native country. With this newfound appreciation, I began to visit a lot of local cuisines and developed a strong taste for my cultural food, which I would like to share with you hoping that I can change the stigma that surrounds Punjabi food and give all my readers a new sense of appreciation for all cuisines. I have narrowed my list to my two favourites. If you are looking for a more rustic traditional approach then I recommend Jagga Sweets, whereas for a more modern and inventive take on Punjabi street food I recommend Chachas Tandoor & Grill.
Jagga Sweets
Price: $$
Quality of Food: 
Location: 9277 120 St, Delta, BC V4C 6R8
Website: https://www.jaggasweets.com/
Jagga Sweet House. Inside the restaurant. Taken by James Zhu
As I took the first few steps into Jagga Sweets, the bright colours, rustic tables, ornately painted windows, cultural paintings, and the large antique truck made it feel as if I had stepped out of Canada and straight to Punjab, India.
Jagga Sweet House. Chole bhature. Taken by Preet Singh
They have many appetizers, main, and dessert options available. I chose to start with their classic mango milkshake. A rich, creamy glass of mango milkshake was the best thing I could ask for. It had a combination of vanilla ice cream, milk and mango puree. It was refreshing and full of flavour. Next, I ordered their most popular dish, chole bhature. Shortly after fifteen-twenty minutes, the waitress brought my order, holding a large plate decorated with miniature props that are significant to Punjab. The service and the presentation of the dish amused me. The round airy deep fried golden bread sat along the white chickpeas doused in brown delicious spicy gravy. Every bite of the chole bhature was saporous and a unique experience. Finally, I tried their famous aloo paratha, a rich buttery flatbread stuffed with spiced potatoes and a side of spiced yogurt. Very crispy on the outside but soft on the inside with the pairing of a whisked yogurt made a perfect lunch.
I was pleased with the service and food, it is worth the hype. The price is ranged from $6-20.00 per item. My lunch totalled $35.00 before tax for all of the items. I loved the food and how they incorporated the Punjabi culture into the restaurant. Definitely will go again!
@jasdhaliwal_ Overall it was good #foodie #punjabifood #fyp #browngirls #foryoupage #surreyrestaurant
Rating Jagga Sweet House on my TikTok page
Chacha’s Tandoor & Grill
Price: $$$
Quality of Food: 
Location: 12855 80 Ave Unit 101, Surrey, BC V3W 4E9
Website: https://chachas.ca/
Chacha’s Tandoor & Grill. Taken by Harchet Kalra
Chacha’s is a restaurant that opened during the pandemic in 2020, it is known for its traditional and flavorful food with a modern touch. They have done a great job on their interior design, by converging western modern style and traditional Punjabi culture which is also reflected in their food. Their menu has a wide variety of Punjabi street food such as spicy kebabs, vegetarian momos and much more.
Chacha’s Tandoor & Grill. Kathi Roll and spicy fries. Taken by Harchet Kalra
I started with their spicy perogies, filled with cheddar cheese, mashed potatoes, and a spicy Indian-style sauce. The texture, spice and flavour were perfect! Next, I tried one of my favourite street eats, the Kathi Roll, which is a warm flatbread filled with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), sauteed onions, creamy yogurt and Indian sauces with a side of spicy fries. The perfect authentic combination of flavours and spices reminds me of the ones I had in the streets of Punjab. Lastly, I had their house special which is paneer cooked in creamy gravy, made of onions, yogurt, nuts and seeds. Paired with buttery naan which is a flatbread cooked in a tandoor. The soft paneer and the rich gravy combined for a flavorful experience that was like no other. Definitely, one of the best shahi paneers I had ever tasted. The naan was baked to perfection giving an almost pillow-like feel.
Everyone was super welcoming and I was served within 10-15 minutes which made for excellent service. The price of each item ranged between $6.00- $28.00, with my bill totalling $49.00 before taxes. With affordable food and great quality food, I highly recommend Chachas!
@punjabifoodblog Let’s Try Chacha’s 🤤 #foodie #foodreview #punjabicuisine #fyp
Rating Chacha’s Tandoor & Grill on my TikTok page
Hopefully, this post has sparked an interest in your adventure in Punjabi food and culture!
Sat Sri Akaal
