Just opposite the bus garage on Old London Road, lies Kingston’s new Indian street food hotspot – Chai Nashta. With around 7 other notable Indian food places in the area, Chai Nashta brings a different angle to Indian food, and with a Google rating of 4.9 stars, with 51 reviews since opening on September 11th this year, it is definitely something the town needed.
Run by the married couple, Ashlesha (Ash) and Siddharth, and their friend Jaspreet, Chai Nashta goes way back to a long-held dream. Ash explains, “Chai Nashta was always a dream of ours to open, but we just never knew when to do it…one day we all decided to take that leap and were so happy we did.”
I mean with the luring smell of freshly buttered Vada Pav as you walk past, I’m glad they took that leap too.
From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed with warm smiles and immediately shown their allergy chart before ordering – a reassuring sign that they care for their customers. I was served by Ash, who made me feel at ease (considering I don’t know much about Indian food) – making my experience even more memorable. She took the time to explain the menu to me, ask what kind of flavours I like, and just made sure everything was perfect before ordering. When I asked why she took so much time and care, she said “We as a business and as people, want everyone who comes in to feel welcomed and looked after, that’s just how our culture is”. “It’s not just about us serving food – it’s for people, Indian or not, to feel at home”. Her genuine passion and love for the business felt so refreshing, as you usually don’t see this anymore.
After asking for her recommendations, Ash suggested I go for their famous buttered Vada Pav (£2.99) – a Mumbai street food classic, that really exceeded my expectations. The Pav (bun) was soft and buttered to perfection, and inside, the spiced potato filling had the right amount of sweetness to spice ratio, for everyone to love. For those who love an extra kick, it even came with a green chilli on the side. Now for that price, you really can’t go wrong.
For something slightly different, I was told to try their Pani Puri (£4.99), which is ‘delicate, hollow puris, jam packed with spicy mashed potato, chickpeas, tangy mint water, and topped with fresh, tangy pomegranate seeds’. Ash insisted I eat each one in one bite for the full experience, and it did not disappoint. The freshness of the tangy mint water, alongside the crunch of the pomegranate seeds and the gentle heat of the potato was a true flavour explosion. Before I knew it, I had ended up eating all 5 one after the other, forgetting to take a breath between them, as I was instantly obsessed.
I then tried their Mango Lassi (£5.50). The mix of the fresh mango pulp, and the creamy yoghurt instantly cleanses your palate, whilst serving as a light sweet treat – a perfect ending to round off a filling and flavourful meal.
To finish, I was given their Chai (£2.20) to go. Now this is something that holds a special place in my heart. From growing up with Indian friends, the first sip really brought me back to my childhood, sitting cross-legged in my best friends living room, with the spices from her mums cooking filling the air. It’s got just the right balance of spices like cinnamon and ginger, it’s the kind of drink you reach for to warm your soul now the days are getting colder.
But what truly sets Chai Nashta apart from the rest is the authentic, homely feel from the moment you walk in – something that’s hard to come by nowadays. So, if you’re looking for an affordable, authentic, student friendly food spot, Chai Nashta is most definitely somewhere to consider taking a visit.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Try it for: Authentic taste, fresh ingredients, homely feel.
