Kong Posh - Uncover The Kashmiri Experience

It has been a famous saying by many of the renowned travellers and scholars, that if there is a heaven on earth, then it has to be Kashmir. I wonder if a place is so renowned for its beauty then it ought to have good food.

I have personally never visited Kashmir, but now I have an opportunity to experience Kashmiri food in Mumbai. Kong Posh is a new (and I guess the only) Kashmiri restaurant that has cropped up in the western suburbs of Mumbai, in Goregaon (Oshiwara to be accurate), which serves authentic Kashmiri cuisine.

Located in the by lanes, just around Oshiwara Bus Depot, Kong Posh comes in as a new tongue tickling experience for people of Mumbai, who have hogging off late on western taste and are desperate for a new taste.

Kong Posh has made a humble start with the small setup which spans across two floors. The ground floor is very small and hardly has capacity for around 12 people. The first floor is spacious and well made too. The surprise package is the Shikara which they have build to give the restaurant an authentic look. Though the Shikara is a bit cramped up and can accommodate only 4 people, its a nice addition to the ambiance. The dressing of the waiters also stamped with the Kashmiri feel. But in spite of the humble beginning, Kong Posh does make you feel very comfortable.

The restaurant didn't disappoint me with food either. Though I had never tasted Kashmiri food, I didn't have any points to compare the authenticity of the food being served in the restaurant, but anything which is cooked well and pleasant to taste is what I call good food.

The place is a must visit for people who like non-veg food, especially Lamb or Mutton. I especially loved the Goshtaba (Rs 180), which was served in a unique green gravy with well made mutton balls. The uniqueness of the gravy was that it taste kept changing from the time it touches your tongue, to when it just is on the way to your stomach. It taste so different. 

I also tried Kokur Kanti (Chicken) which has a very thin amber gravy which huge pieces of chicken. Also try the Dum Aloo which again is served in a thin red gravy but the aloo are nicely done and stuffed with some veggies.

The Mutton Rice was the best thing being served at Kong Posh. Till date I have enjoyed the typical Mutton Biryani which is loaded with spices, but I never thought that the Kashmiri Mutton Rice, so well made in rare herbs and saffron and without any hard spice will taste so amazing.

All food served in this restaurant is nicely made, is mild in taste since Kashmiri food is usually not spicy. And the best thing is that the restaurant does not use any artificial color which make the food out here more palatable. Almost all the gravies served here have a thin consistency and should mostly be preferred with rice rather than rotis.

The restaurant should add some good drinks to the menu, since one only has an option of a Kawa, Jaljeera or soft drinks to choose from and they too are simply average to taste.

I recommend this place to people and families who would like to explore a new taste and for people like me, who haven't yet got a chance to visit Kashmir but can experience a bit of it by the food being served at Kong Posh.

An advice to the owner, please relocate to a more visible place.

Ratings:

1. Food: Excelled
2. Ambience: Average but different
3. Service: Good
4. Value for Money: Yes
5. Recommended: Must Visit
6. Pocket Quotient: Carry around Rs. 1000 to Rs 1200 for a dinner for 2