It is highly refreshing to see an Indian eatery step outside of the box and bring something to Orange County that’s never been seen or tasted before (of course available all over Artesia/little India). ADYA, a new restaurant at Anaheim Packing House and brainchild of Chef Shachi Mehra brings a host of chaat, or Indian street food, to the fore. Gone is the heavy, cloying Indian fare most people are accustomed to eating, and then falling into a food coma for several hours afterwards. In its place, fresh, clean flavors I have only found while living in Asia, and in the homes of my Indian friends.
The informal, casual, relaxed atmosphere is indicative of this style of food, although in India, you would be standing on a street corner battling heat and swatting away a few flies here and there. Here, you can enjoy your meal on the patio outside, or in the various little nooks and crannies the Anaheim Packing House has provided for you to comfortably situate yourself in.
We begin with a variety of chaat (literally translated as “lick” because once you eat it, you’ll want to lick your fingers and your plate) to whet our appetites. I am well familiar with Bhel Puri ($5) a puffed rice munchie usually sold in newspaper cones on the street. Diced cucumbers, tomatoes, dry mango and puffed rice which will make you believe you’re eating something familiar, like cereal due to its texture.
Pani Puri ($6) are little parcels consisting of bite size hollow puri (an unleavened fried bread) filled with chickpeas and potatoes. A vessel of spicy tamarind water is provided for you to quickly pour some into the opening and immediately pop into your mouth — WHOLE! Do not attempt to take a bite, it’ll be extremely messy!
However, I think the favorite is Chickpea Chaat ($6), with the group naming it “Indian nachos”. This dish is the perfect combination of textures and flavors in one bite. You get the soft, crisp, salty, tart, hint of sweet, from the spiced chickpeas, tamarind and yogurt. Every bite is perfection, and you have an entire bowl of it to savor.
One of my favorites is Lamb Seekh Kebab ($10), cumin seasoned ground lamb grilled on a skewer in the tandoor oven. Tender, flavorful, the accompanying mint chutney adds a refreshing finish on the palate.
Although I enjoy the flavors of the Vindaloo Chicken Pav ($6) tremendously, it is a new experience for me, eating an Indian “sandwich”. This Bombay style sloppy Joe uses an OC Baking Company bun and topped with spiced pulled chicken with a hint of vinegar and chiles — you can feel the heat creep up slowly towards the end.
For those of you reluctant or not adventurous enough to venture outside your comfort zone, there are daily curries and vegetable dishes to choose from. Old Delhi Style Chicken is light, possessing no cream (the way I like my curries), while Dal Makhani (lentil stew) is tender and perfect for vegetarians. I suggest making your meal a thali (+$4) with a side of naan or rice, raita, dal, salad and pickles included.
And on to the topic of sides, the Avocado Raita ($3) is to-die-for. Chef Shachi has put her twist on the traditional cucumber yogurt accompaniment by adding avocado and cilantro. The result is a smooth creamy avocado spread you won’t be able to resist.
Of course, who can say no to naan? Garlic/Butter Naan ($4/$3) is prepared fresh in the tandoor oven and brought piping hot to your table.
True to its name, ADYA (pronounced ah-D-yah) meaning “the first”, will hopefully pave the way for more chefs to step outside of the area’s comfort zone and bring lesser known culinary delights to Orange County.
Want to try ADYA for yourself? I have a $25 gift certificate to giveaway to one lucky reader. Leave me a comment and tell me about your experiences with Indian cuisine and why you want to try ADYA. Don’t forget to leave your FULL name! Winner will be announced Monday June 9th.
ADYA
at Anaheim Packing House
440 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: 714-533-2392
Oh I love Indian food. Maarten and I often joke that our 3 week trip to Scotland with a few days in England was really a tour of Indian restaurants. My memories of cities are often tied to our meals, the Castle and the old church in Edinburgh converted to a museum right by the restaurant where the chef informed me that he spends all day every day making curries for the restaurant so doesn’t eat Indian food at home! Way up in the highlands were we ate Indian food for lunch and then giggled that night as we walked into another Indian restaurant for dinner. Other than the day we had Haggis (I’m a Ferguson after all) we pretty much ate typical Scottish B and B breakfasts, (had to get in our beans and tomatoes) and then it was Castles, Kilts and Curry for the remainder of each day. I do love the vegetarian Thali at Himalayan Grill in Huntington Beach, it is reminiscent of the thali I used to get at our favorite Indian place in Utrecht, the Netherlands when I lived abroad. Our regular Indian food haunt is Haveli’s in Tustin. It would be super fun to win some dosh to try out ADYA – Maarten and I are always game to to try out a new place. Travel not necessary. Just a bonus. (Oh gosh I just remembered the Indian place we ate at in Dublin…we could barely walk back to the B and B we were so stuffed but we couldn’t leave a drop of food because it was that good)
Most of my experiences revolve around Indian lunch buffets around Artesia and Irvine but they’re still delicious (and so cheaply priced too)! Sometimes you’ll find hidden takeout gems in Indian markets too, like Namestey in Buena Park. 🙂
Love raita, garlic naan (even Trader Joe’s has some tasty frozen ones), chicken tikka masala, saag paneer (the cheese cubes!), and the vegetarian type dishes.
I went to Packing House the other night but didn’t try ADYA. Would love to check them out!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I would love to try this new Indian Restaurant because I want to see how this compares to other traditional Indian Restaurants. I have lots of Indian friends whom I’d love to bring here & try out the foods. =)
I ate recently at a recommended Indian buffet – delicious, but I was in a coma afterwards. Your words “Gone is the heavy, cloying Indian fare most people are accustomed to eating, and then falling into a food coma for several hours afterwards. In its place, fresh, clean flavors I have only found while living in Asia, and in the homes of my Indian friends.” have me lusting to try Adya! I have friends in Tustin and the Tandoori Lamb with cumin sounds incredible!
Good to hear about ADYA. Much of the Indian food in the OC area is “traditional,” and with the shuttering of Chakra there aren’t any modern Indian restaurants to be found. So I wouldn’t mind checking this place out.
College is when I really learned to love Indian food. Making lots of new friends from different backgrounds meant more people to show you what/how to eat! It was the first time that I found that Indian food is more than just buffets (although now and again that is nice too). Glorious hole in the wall, a la carte, made fresh to order Indian food. Adya seems like it might be a more modern version of my beloved college days cuisine. Thanks for your review!
I recently went to Anaheim Packing District and saw ADYA, unfortunately I never got to try it cause we ate at Umami Burger across the way. But this place looks really good. Chicken Vindaloo is usually my go-to at an Indian Restaurant (not having been to many) but I’d love to try this place out!
Being of Indian descent I miss Indian home food. What we find in restraunts in oc tastes nothing like home cooked food. Adya sounds like what I have been waiting for.
I think these guys were at the Patchwork Show at OC Mart Mix last year and I really liked them! Great that they were able to get their own place. Have yet to visit the Anaheim Packing District too, would love to check it out.
My husband and I traveled to India several years ago and were able to try a variety of Indian foods that we hadn’t ever tried before. I’d love to take him somewhere with food that might bring back some of the trip memories!!
I love Indian food. Have been to India and used to live in Singapore for awhile so I do miss the street foods. There are some decent Indian restaurants here but like you said, “…food coma…” after eating. So as much as I love Indian food, I can only afford to eat it sparingly. From what you described about the food at this restaurant and my memories of India and Singapore, I can indulge in India food again. I would love to check out this restaurant.
I’m a vegetarian and I love Indian food! There is still so much I’m learning about it and the many vegetarian dishes so I would like to opportunity to try ADYA: Plus I want to check out the new Anaheim Packing House!!!!!
Would love to visit the Anaheim Packing House, previous Indian food was a tiny place in Irvine (now closed) and I would savor the chance to try ADYA and visit the Anaheim Packing House
Sadly my experience with Indian food has mainly been with Niki’s in Santa Ana. Saw ADYA at the opening but didn’t get a chance to try them out. And as usual, great food pics!
I have limited experience with Indian food. Went to a restaurant in Santa Monica once but was not convinced of its greatness. I love food and make a nice turmeric water with lemon that is killer. I love fresh turmeric and spices so I would like to expand my palate and try Indian food that I may not know I like.
congratulations you are the winner
The Indian food in Artesia is great, especially at Surati Farsan Mart, but it would be wonderful to get chat a little closer to home!
Chaat! Darn auto correct…
I first started eating Indian food at Berkeley. I haven’t tried too many places in Orange County yet.