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Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi may be known to most people as the namak-shamak chef who has wooed Indian audiences with his impactful shows on television, from Turban Tadka to Laughter Chefs. His bond with Slurrp and its community of 7+ lakh home chefs across India is well-known to those who have had a chance to interact with the man himself at the Great Indian Cookout and Grand Biryani Celebration in 2023 and 2024. But for foodies across seven cities in India, he also offers an incredible food journey through his restaurant, Karigari.
Karigari – Ek Ehsaas by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi celebrates the food heritage of India with the chef’s tadka of love and a generous sprinkling of fun. "I've always been fascinated by the culinary legacy of India," says Chef Harpal. "Karigari is my attempt to share that legacy with the world, one story at a time." In 2022, the first outlet was launched in Sector 51, Noida, by the chef and his partners, Yogesh and Manish Sharma. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to 11 outlets across cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Dehradun, Bengaluru and Indore.
The chef and his team have already revealed that they have an ambitious plan to expand the restaurant to 50 locations in the next three years, taking India's culinary legacy to tier 1 and tier 2 cities. "We're not just opening restaurants – we're creating a movement," says Mr. Yogesh Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Karigari. "We want to take the culinary legacy of India to every corner of the country, and share it with the world."
Karigari, Sector 51, Noida: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
To understand further if Chef Harpal’s inimitable style of cooking and sharing food truly translates into a brilliant dining experience, this author headed off to Karigari’s first-ever outlet in Sector 51, Noida. Located right next to the metro station, this Karigari outlet offers easy access to all diners. The moment you enter the restaurant, you are met with contemporary elegance in terms of decor and ambiance—this is not a dimly lit space that wants to hide any faults. The natural light and welcoming atmosphere immediately puts you at ease—you could come here with friends, spouses, dates and large families too. Restaurants that serve Indian food also often tend to have an overwhelming aroma of spices and curry bases, but you won’t get that here. Everything is balanced and at the same time alluring.
Amid ample seating options, your attention is most likely to be attracted by a huge mural of Chef Harpal’s on one of the walls. Yes, this is his restaurant, his signature take on Indian food and its fusion versions. Such branding may be considered a bit too much for many, but for the generations of Indian diners and foodies who have grown up seeing Chef Harpal on television know just how this translates—it's like stepping into your favourite cousin or uncle’s home. It’s informal without being too casual, endearing without trying too hard, and utterly relatable for an Indian audience.
A Journey Through India’s Flavours: Karigari’s Menu
Next, you come to the menu at Karigari, which is clearly a labour of love, crafted by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi. Each dish pays homage to a different region of India (pre-Partition Punjab too, bringing into notice the simple fact that so much of North Indian and Punjabi food, even today, owes its existence to that era of this nation’s history). The focus is entirely on the culinary craftsmanship of Karigari’s chefs, whom Chef Harpal always refers to as Karigars. You get a sense that the food and beverages menus are carefully curated, and only the best of the best is served up.
The language of the menu is also utterly relatable. Instead of boring old sections like ‘starters’, ‘mains’, ‘rice’, ‘breads’ and ‘desserts’, you get the idea that Chef Harpal himself added his quirky flair to everything. ‘Chota Moo Badi Baat’ is basically a curated collection of everything from Mumbai’s Ragda Patties to Banaras’ Tamatar Ki Chaat, and of course there are Punjabi classics like Kulchey Chole Pakodey Pockets, Chit Karare and Lahori Tawa Taka Tak.
The Kulchey Chole Pakodey Pockets were a delightful reimagination of a classic North Indian dish, with crispy pockets encasing the hearty flavours of spiced chickpeas. The Lahori Tawa Taka Tak, cooked on a traditional tawa, was a flavour explosion, bringing the bustling streets of Lahore to the plate with its robust spices and textural play. Both are great recommendations if you want quick, street food-style servings and shared starters.
If you love indulging in soups, then the ‘Sudkiyaan Maar Ke Piyo Ji’ section immediately invites you to slurp without shame or any pretense of being fancy. The Tomato Beetroot Shorba and Murgh Yakhani Shorba are truly flavour-packed offerings for soup-lovers. If you are vegetarian, then do try the ‘Vaishnoo Khaane Da Maja Laoji’ section of the menu. You will find incredible veg options like Grilled Paneer Musallam and Nizamatkhani Bharwan Aloo.
Kebabs Beyond North India, Beverages With Flair
The tandoor forms a key part of North Indian kitchens, and kebabs are their most-loved outcomes. But Chef Harpal not only offers North Indian-style kebabs at Karigari, but also an array of Indian fusion kebabs that originate in other parts of India. There’s the very spicy Andhra Dragon Paneer and Moilee Prawns Tandoori from the southern states. Given Chef Harpal’s time spent learning from descendants of the Hyderabad’s Nizam family, the Andhra dishes truly reflect his experience—especially through the Pakki Hyderabad Gosht Biryani. Vegetarians can of course opt for the equally delicious Kathal Ki Biryani.
Vegetarians also have the option to try veg kebabs like Tandoori Achari Mushrooms and Subz Jaipuri. For non-vegetarians, the Rawa Fried Sole Fish Tikka, Chicken Sajji and Murgh Baluchi Kebabs are great options. For hardcore meat-loving kebab fans, the Khandani Gosht Seekh Kebab, Silbatey Ke Gilawat With Ulta Tawa Paratha and Kallu Miyan Ki Raan are must-have options.
The restaurant has an extensive cocktails and mocktails menu that make for refreshing sips in between your bites of food. Unlike most restaurants that make barely passable mocktails, Karigar’s selection is flavour-packed and good enough to want you to give up on cocktails without getting FOMO. This author highly recommends the Yuzu & Kaffir Lime Spritzer and the Karigari Roof Top Illusion. The former was a vibrant citrusy delight, where the sharp zest of yuzu and the subtle notes of kaffir lime danced on the palate, making for a refreshing start. The Karigari Roof Top Illusion, on the other hand, was a visually striking beverage, boasting an intriguing medley of fruity and floral notes that awakened the senses.
Indian Mains And Desserts, But With A Global Twist
When it comes to the most filling parts of the menu at Karigari, you can always go for classics from across the nation like Goan Sole Fish Curry, Butter Chicken, Karigaro Ki Dal Makhani, etc. Yes, you will find that the flavours are intact and authentic, true to the regions of origin. And then there are some dishes that simply take Indian cuisine further, beyond the nation’s borders, to a fusion that’s not confusion but a gem. The Lemongrass Butter Chicken, for example, is fragrant and slightly citrusy, while maintaining the smooth, silky texture and mouthfeel of the classic.
The desserts at Karigari manage to do something similar. The Jalebi Waffles, for example, are made with waffles made with the jaleby batter, soaked in sugar syrup and then topped with a rabdi. The Tukda e Jam, reminiscent of the beloved Shahi Tukda, was a rich, indulgent affair, where saffron-infused bread was adorned with creamy rabri and nuts, delivering a regal finish to an exquisite meal.
Final Thoughts: Karigari Offers More Than Just a Meal
Karigari by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi is not just a restaurant—it is a movement that seeks to redefine how we experience Indian cuisine. The meticulous attention to flavour, presentation, and storytelling transforms dining here into an enriching journey through the diverse culinary landscape of India. Whether you are a seasoned gourmand or simply someone who enjoys a good meal, Karigari is a must-visit for an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.
