Paneer Pakoda
Crispy parcels of happiness
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 the paneer marinated before frying?
Sometimes the paneer cubes are lightly tossed in spices or chaat masala before being dipped in the batter for extra flavor.
Are these very spicy?
They are generally mild to medium, focusing more on the creamy texture of the paneer.
Is Paneer Pakoda heavy?
It is a rich, deep-fried dish, so it can be quite filling as a starter.
Can vegans eat this?
No, paneer is a dairy product made from milk, so this dish is not vegan.
What gives the batter its flavor?
The batter is seasoned with turmeric, chili powder, and carom seeds, which aid digestion and add an earthy aroma.
About Paneer Pakoda
Paneer pakoda takes the same gram-flour fritter tradition that runs through North Indian snacking and builds it around a single ingredient: fresh Indian cottage cheese. Where a vegetable pakoda relies on the crunch of onion or potato, here the contrast is between a crisp savoury shell and a soft, mild, milky centre. It is a richer fritter than most, and a firm favourite among vegetarians who want something more substantial than a plain vegetable starter.
What sets ours apart begins before the frying. We set our paneer in-house every day, and because it has never been frozen the cubes hold their square shape in the oil instead of slumping or weeping. Each cube is dipped in a batter of gram flour seasoned with turmeric, red chilli, and ajwain, then deep-fried until pale gold rather than dark, so the cheese inside stays tender. The masalas are ground fresh by our Uttarakhand chef. Do note this is a dairy dish and so not suitable for vegans, though it contains no pork or meat product and the batter itself uses no wheat.
A portion is six pieces, best eaten hot while the coating is still crisp and the paneer warm and yielding. We serve it with mint chutney and tomato ketchup, the cool herb dip cutting through the richness of the fried cheese. It is filling enough to anchor a round of starters on its own, and pairs naturally with the lighter, tangier openers elsewhere on our menu.
Best ordered fresh — call ahead if you are coming straight after work. Visit BHARAT →
See also: the Snacks & Chaat menu · best paneer in Bangkok · Indian vegetarian food in Bangkok · paneer tikka from the tandoor.