Matar Paneer
Two ingredients, pure poetry
Get directions ↗ · 2 min walk from Grand Mercure
Last orders 30 minutes before closing
Dine-in · takeaway · delivery via GrabFood and LINE MAN
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a sweet or savory dish?
It is savory with a slight natural sweetness coming from the fresh green peas.
What is the consistency of the gravy?
It has a medium consistency, not as thick as a masala but not watery either.
Does it have cashew paste or cream?
It is usually a homestyle onion-tomato base, though a small dash of cream may be added for richness.
Are the peas soft?
Yes, they are simmered until tender alongside the cottage cheese.
Can I eat this with rice?
Yes, its slightly thinner gravy makes it an excellent match for jeera rice.
About Matar Paneer
Matar paneer is a Punjabi household staple that brings together green peas and cubes of cottage cheese in a homestyle onion-tomato gravy. It is the kind of everyday curry found on family dinner tables across northern India, comforting rather than rich, and a reliable favourite for vegetarians.
The gravy is built on onions and tomatoes cooked down with turmeric, ginger, garlic, and ground coriander, kept to a medium consistency that is neither as thick as a masala nor as thin as a soup. Green peas are simmered in until tender alongside the paneer. That paneer is set fresh in-house each morning from full-fat milk curdled with lemon juice, pressed for around three hours and cubed before service rather than bought vacuum-packed, so it stays soft as it absorbs the sauce. Spices are ground fresh daily, the kitchen is fully vegetarian and halal-friendly with no pork, and ghee is the default fat, with oil offered on request. A small dash of cream may go in for body, but the base stays a straightforward homestyle one rather than a heavy cashew gravy.
The taste is mild and savoury with a natural sweetness drawn from the fresh peas, the tomato keeping it lightly tangy and the spices warm rather than hot. It is gentler than the makhani-style curries and leans on that pea-and-paneer balance for its character, the soft cubes and the little bursts of pea giving it a pleasant contrast in every bite.
Thanks to its slightly thinner gravy it is an excellent match for jeera rice, though it pairs just as well with roti or naan. A side of raita and sliced onion completes a simple, balanced meal, and it suits diners who prefer something light over something creamy.
The dining room seats 30-40 across two styles — standard tables and Dastarkhan-style floor seating. Quiet on weekday lunches, busy from 7 PM. Visit BHARAT →
See also: the Main Course - Veg menu · best paneer in Bangkok · Indian vegetarian food in Bangkok · paneer tikka from the tandoor.