Punjabi Cuisine
The Art of Building Flavour
The Land of Five Rivers
Punjab, a region spanning northern India and Pakistan, is known for its generous use of spices, wheat-based breads and richly developed masalas.
At the heart of many Punjabi dishes is the patient cooking of onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic. Rather than simply combining ingredients, the cook develops them gradually, allowing moisture to evaporate and the spices to release their aroma.
The result is a cuisine where depth comes from technique as much as from the ingredients themselves.
The Spices of Punjab
Coriander and cumin provide the earthy foundations of many Punjabi curries, while turmeric contributes warmth and colour. Kashmiri chilli adds a rich red hue and gentle heat, and dried fenugreek leaves, kasuri methi, bring a distinctive savoury aroma.
Garam masala, often added towards the end of cooking, introduces another layer of fragrance through spices such as cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.
These ingredients work together rather than competing for attention. A well-balanced Punjabi curry can be deeply spiced without being excessively hot.
The Cooking Tradition - Bhunao
One of the defining techniques of North Indian cooking is bhunao: cooking and stirring a masala over heat until the ingredients reduce, concentrate and begin to release their oils.
This process transforms raw onions, tomatoes and spices into a cohesive, intensely aromatic foundation.
At Sambhara, we prepare our cooking bases and regional spice concentrates in small batches. This allows us to develop the masala before service and assemble each curry to order.
Punjabi Dishes at Sambhāra
Punjabi Chicken Karahi
Inspired by the traditional karahi style of cooking, with chicken, tomatoes, ginger and aromatic spices creating a bold, savoury curry.
A Punjabi-style chicken curry built on slow-cooked onion and tomato, with ginger, coriander and warming Punjabi spices giving the sauce its distinctive karahi character.
A fragrant chicken curry infused with fresh and dried fenugreek leaves, green chillies, and warming spices for a beautifully balanced, aromatic flavour. Marinated chicken is simmered gently in a rich masala.
No Gluten
No Dairy
A fragrant chicken curry infused with fresh and dried fenugreek leaves, green chillies, and warming spices for a beautifully balanced, aromatic flavour. Marinated chicken is simmered gently in a rich masala.
No Gluten
No Dairy
A Punjabi-style chicken curry built on slow-cooked onion and tomato, with ginger, coriander and warming Punjabi spices giving the sauce its distinctive karahi character.
Methi Murgh
Chicken with the distinctive aroma of fenugreek, supported by a carefully balanced blend of warming spices.
Methi Murgh
Chicken with the distinctive aroma of fenugreek, supported by a carefully balanced blend of warming spices.
Punjabi Chicken Karahi
Inspired by the traditional karahi style of cooking, with chicken, tomatoes, ginger and aromatic spices creating a bold, savoury curry.
Lamb Bhuna
A richly reduced masala that coats the lamb rather than surrounding it in a thin sauce. Concentrated spices and slow-developed depth.
Slow-cooked lamb with roasted spices, onions, and tomatoes in a thick, richly flavoured sauce
No Gluten
No Dairy
A North Indian lamb curry built on slow-cooked onion and tomato, with onions added again during cooking for their characteristic texture and sweetness, layered with coriander, cumin and aromatic Punjabi spices.
A North Indian lamb curry built on slow-cooked onion and tomato, with onions added again during cooking for their characteristic texture and sweetness, layered with coriander, cumin and aromatic Punjabi spices.
Slow-cooked lamb with roasted spices, onions, and tomatoes in a thick, richly flavoured sauce
No Gluten
No Dairy
Lamb Do Piaza
A North Indian curry characterised by the use of onions at different stages of cooking, creating a balance of sweetness, texture and spice.
Lamb Do Piaza
A North Indian curry characterised by the use of onions at different stages of cooking, creating a balance of sweetness, texture and spice.
Lamb Bhuna
A richly reduced masala that coats the lamb rather than surrounding it in a thin sauce. Concentrated spices and slow-developed depth.
Discover Punjabi Cooking at Sambhāra
Our Punjabi-inspired curries reflect the traditional importance of carefully developed masalas and balanced spices.
Explore this week's menu to see which dishes are currently available.