A newcomer in the Temple food truck scene, Taste of India has become a popular addition to the campus. Taste of India opened in Spring 2018 and attracts hungry lunch-goers with its aromas of curries and spices. Lately, there is always a line, which is always a great sign for a food truck.

Rice platters include your choice of chicken or one of many veggies, rice, yogurt, chutney, and a salad. (Be sure to specify if you want the yogurt and what kind of chutney you want). Combo platters include your choice of main dish with naan (flatbread), papad (a thin and crispy seasoned dough), yogurt, chutney, salad, and a soda. They also offer rotating specials from day to day.

 

Click on each photo to see larger menu!

On my first visit, I opted for the Butter Paneer. I’ve had butter chicken before, a staple Indian dish made with a creamy curry tomato sauce, but I have never had it with paneer before. Paneer is a type of cheese, with a similar flavor to cottage cheese, but not in a curd form. It is instead compressed into a large piece, then cut into little cubes. It is then added to a variety of different types of dishes. Upon ordering, I was asked how spicy I wanted it: mild, medium, or hot. I ordered mild because I wasn’t sure what their definition of mild was. I also ordered a mango lassi, which is a yogurt drink blended with mangoes. Lassi is a good thing to accompany a spicy meal because the dairy in the drink calms your taste buds. I was glad I ordered it because even the mild curry had a bit of a kick! The butter paneer was $7 and the mango lassi, about an 8 oz portion, was $2.

This meal was incredibly flavorful and filling! I was not able to finish all of the food on my plate and was stuffed for many hours after I ate it.

On my next visit, the truck was running a special for $8 for biryani, with your choice of veggies or chicken. I have had biryani before, which is a rice dish mixed with veggies and a sauce with a ton of aromatic spices. The sauce soaks into the rice permeating every grain. This time I choose the chicken biryani, and again ordered it mild. It came with a small side of a spiced yogurt with veggies such as shredded carrots and cucumbers mixed in. The dish was garnished with fresh cilantro, cucumber, tomato, and a wedge of lemon to squeeze.

I could smell the clove, caradmom, garam masala, and coriander as I opened the container to see this beautiful dish. Shredded carrot, corn, lima beans, and peas were mixed in with the rice, along with bite-size pieces of chicken. And although I ordered this at a mild spice level, it was pretty spicy! I didn’t order a lassi this time and wish I had! Being a bit of a newbie to this cuisine, I also did not know what to do with the side of yogurt, so I just spooned it on my rice to help with the spiciness. Again, this platter was huge and I was only able to finish about half of it, so I saved the rest for leftovers.

Taste of India also offers a variety of drinks including canned sodas for $1, bottled mango drinks, bottled water, and masala chai (a spiced tea). For the vegetarians, there are three different kinds of combos or platters. Other than the butter paneer, there is also channa masala (chickpea curry) and rajma (kidney bean curry). These two dishes are vegan. For the meat eaters, chicken can come one of three ways: butter chicken, chicken curry, or kadhai (chicken and bell pepper curry).

Overall, I am very pleased with this new edition to the Temple campus! It is nice to have a completely different option for a food truck. I don’t think there is an Indian restaurant anywhere near Temple, so this is where I’ll be heading whenever I have a hankering.

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Location: On Montgomery Avenue between 11th and 12th, next to the Student Center.

Pay: Cash Only

Cuisine:  Indian curry rice platters and combos

What I tried: Chicken Biryani, Butter Paneer, Mango Lassi

Delivery: No

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