Jalpaan is a surprisingly good do-it-all, cafeteria-style, pure vegetarian, Indian restaurant. Located on the ground floor of the Al Quoz Mall in Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, it’s laid out over two floors.
View from the mall 
Ground floor 
Deliveries 
Upstairs 
There’s a tea counter as you enter manned by a professional chai walla who makes the best pulled tea I have had in Dubai. This is NOT some teabag and sweetened condensed milk rubbish. It’s the real deal; fresh boiled milk and properly brewed tea (watch the video below). And to think I came here by chance…to have my last idli-vada-dosa breakfast before I start intermittent fasting.
Halfway through the idli-vada dip which had been so unceremoniously plonked in-front of me a couple of minutes ago and I already had two mental notes for this blog, a) that this was without doubt the worst presentation of an idli-vada dip that I have ever seen anywhere, and b) that it was one of the best idli-vada dips I have had in a long, long time. The latter could be because it was served with literally everything mixed in together, including the white coconut chutney which normally comes on the side. The sambar was tart, tangy and full of veggies. The idlis were light and fluffy, and vada crunchy out and spongy in – it’s a very nice. The masala dosa was equally good. So good in fact that I easily overlooked how greasy it was.
Masala Dosa 
The Masala 
Sambar 
Idli-Vada Dip
Service at this value for money eatery is friendly and accommodating in a rushed sort of way. There’s no dilly-dallying here. That said, I had time to leaf through my weekly car magazine between idli-vada, dosa and tea. If you are in the Al Quoz area and fancy a really good South Indian breakfast, this is definitely a good option. It’s not big on creature comforts nor is it the best place to come on date night but food wise, it’s right on the money. For the pulled tea though, I will drive here from across town. This is the best pulled tea I have had in Dubai, earning this little restaurant, not just a place on my detour-worthy list, but also a place in my heart.
Hey! Now read this –
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from,
each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his
companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts
no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism.
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