Aroma india 3.63

After opening in July 2015, Aroma India has built a reputation not only as an exotic eatery, but also for its friendly and welcoming service. Its chefs clearly know how to prepare fresh dishes daily, and the waiting staff are always ready with a smile to greet customers.

Aroma boasts its impressive array of menu items because it caters to all tastes, serving meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes from all parts of India. Owner, Mohamed Khan, says they can do this because the chefs are from various Indian states, they have worked throughout the country and they have learnt to cook with a wide variety of dishes.

“Many Indian restaurants have dishes from south India, Gujarat or Punjab, for example,” Mohamed says. “We want New Zealanders to enjoy the best dishes from all over India. That’s why we hire only chefs who have a wide experience of Indian food and have worked in five star hotels in India.”

The chefs hand-pick their herbs, spices and fresh ingredients and mix them manually rather than relying on ready-mixed packets.This gives the dishes at Aroma their unique flavours. Customers are encouraged to ask about the the different dishes and to try something different. The “heat” or spiciness of most dishes can be tempered to each individual’s taste – mild, medium or hot – and there’s even grades of hot from Kiwi to Indian and English hot being the spiciest.

One of the most popular dish is not surprisingly butter chicken.While it’s a New Zealand favourite, the Aroma dish is likely to be something customers have never experienced before. Also recommended are the Hariayala Murgh, which boneless tender chicken marinated with spinach and herbs and cooked in a clay oven, and the garlic chicken tika, which is chicken marinated with garlic yoghurt and spices and cooked in a clay oven.

Home deliveries are free within the Greytown area and for a small delivery fee throughout Wairarapa. Aroma is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11.30am to 2pm and 4.30-9pm.