If you’re a Leeds local, you may well have heard of the Aagrah group - a family-run, legacy hospitality concept established in 1977 and now spanning seven restaurants in the North of England, serving up home-cooked style Kashmiri cuisine. If you’re hankering for a taste of Northern India, book a table at Aagrah Leeds and settle in for an authentic experience, from start to finish.
If you’re not sure what to expect, Kashmiri food is known for being a fragrant, slow-cooked, mountain cuisine that blends Persian, Central Asian, and North Indian influences, honing in on rich spices and yogurt rather than intense chili heat. So, it’s ideal if a Vinadloo isn’t your favourite dish. The menu at Aagrah Leeds is wonderfully expansive so no matter your tastes, there’s sure to be something you’ll love starting with appetisers such as grilled chicken tikka with yogurt, ginger, garlic and coriander, alongside crispy, deep-fried samosas and tangy, fragrant king prawns marinated in garlic, lime and black pepper.
For mains, there’s a mixture of different sections to choose from ranging from pan-fried and grilled dishes, to regional specialities from the Punjab, Goa and the Himalayas. For those interested in India’s diverse regions, this is an exciting opportunity to get to know the flavours behind these vastly different areas. Stand out plates might include the chicken sindhi korma which brings together diced chicken breast with green chilis, fennel, almonds, fresh lime and raisins, for a subtle, creamy finish. New on the menu is the Kerala Machli, which offers a fresh take on grilled halibut with fresh ginger, coriander, coconut and lemon rice on the side - fresh, tasty and moreish.
As mentioned, the Aargrah family have long been catering to their Yorkshire clientele and so thoughtfully, if there’s someone at the table who doesn’t love Indian cuisine quite so fully, there are some ‘English friendly’ meals - just in case. Think comfort foods like scampi, chicken nuggets and a stir fry, so that every base is covered.