Chocolate Samosas: A Sweet Surprise at Radha Krishna Bhavan

After a quiet week at home, Melanie and I decided to spice things up by heading out to one of our favourite Keralan restaurants in Tooting. With no reservation in hand, we hopped on the bus to Tooting Broadway and made our way to the ever-popular Radha Krishna Bhavan. Peering through the steamy windows, we saw the place was absolutely buzzing—always a good sign! Melanie signalled to our friends, the proprietors, letting them know we needed a table for two. Despite the packed house, they quickly found us a temporary table for six, and before long, we were comfortably seated at a cosier spot.

We’re definitely creatures of habit. The team already knew Melanie would start with a cool Cobra beer, while I’d sip on a refreshing mango lassi. Although we glanced over the menu, it wasn’t really necessary—our favourites were calling. To kick off, we ordered a plate of Cashew Nut Pakoda, a crunchy and spicy delight that’s perfect for snacking while waiting for the rest of the meal.

For starters, Melanie opted for her usual Chicken Masala Dosai, while I went with the classic Vegetable Masala Dosai. If you’ve never had a masala dosai, you’re missing out. Imagine a crispy lentil pancake filled with lightly spiced mashed potatoes, served with a bowl of sambal (a vegetable curry) and spicy coconut chutneys. Trust me—you’ll be hooked after just one bite!

For the main course, Melanie went for the Kodumpuli Chemmeen, a delicate, but spicy, prawn curry infused with coconut, while I chose the Fish Molie, featuring tender kingfish cooked in a mild coconut sauce. We shared a Kerala paratha and a fragrant plate of coconut basmati rice to complete the feast.

The food, as always, was exceptional—there’s never a need to rave further about the service or the warm welcome at Radha Krishna Bhavan, because it’s consistently brilliant.

Now, for the surprise twist of the evening—chocolate samosas! Everyone knows a samosa as a crispy, triangular parcel filled with spiced meat or vegetables, but these little gems were a revelation. Filled with molten chocolate, each plate came with two crisp pastries oozing with rich, melted goodness. They were utterly divine, and we’ll definitely be ordering them again!

Radha Krishna Bhavan is a special spot, blending the flavours and culture of Kerala with its quirky place in South London. Surrounded by Kathakali dancers’ statues and symbols of Kerala, it’s a restaurant that transports you far from Tooting, while still feeling right at home.