Sunday Roast with a Twist: Feasting at Oorja, the Indian Culinary Gem

The newly opened Oorja restaurant has hit the ground running with an extensive all-day menu, as well as a variety of set menus, including their new Sunday Roasts offering, boasting an impressive variety of main course options along with a selection of vegetable side dishes, masala gravy, and freshly made naan.

This restaurant also benefits from one on the best locations in central London: right in the heart of Shaftesbury Avenue, moments from the Palace Theatre. Incidentally, if you have tickets to any of the West End shows, do look at the pre-theatre options for some inspiration before curtain call – but first up,  Sunday lunch beckons…

So, what did we order?

Tandoori Butterfly Spatchcock

A gleaming silver platter filled with an assortment of small dishes is presented, bringing with it a heavenly aroma of fragrant spices. Front and centre, the fire-grilled Butterfly Spatchcock, pleasingly charred with the vibrant red hue of the spiced yoghurt marinade. It’s a conundrum of choice: just where to start? The chicken is beautifully moist, and the skin crisp and flavoursome from the marinade. You instantly want to pair each bite with one of the various side dishes. The chicken is especially moreish wrapped in the naan with a good helping of crunchy house salad.

Spice Roasted Lamb Rump

The soft, pinkish centre of a perfectly cooked lamp rump is a meat-lovers’ dream. The lamb is coated in a blend of Northern Indian spices which renders the meat deeply peppery and aromatic but never overpowers the sweet, gamey lamb meat. Underneath, you’ll find a generous mound of rich Keema lamb mince which adds even more richness to the overall flavour. If you’re craving lamb on Sunday, then you’re in for a treat.

Side dishes

Layered Masala Chips

If you’ve seen the viral videos on TikTok of deep-fried, layered chips you will delight in these decadent, oh-so impressive potato wonders. These aren’t just regular chips either, these have gone through an extensive process, ensuring crispy perfection as well as being a textural delight.

Every, thin slice of the potato has a butter-soft texture, yet the outer coating is deeply bronzed and coated in a deliciously spicy masala seasoning. Honesty, these are simply out of this world, especially when twice dipped in the masala gravy. I’m hoping to see if this dish makes its way onto the main A La Carte menu – we can but try!

Oorja House Salad

Finely diced cucumber, Bombay onion, with a sprinkle of Mung bean sprout and mixed with a creamy, tangy sauce is one of the most delightful and surprising items of the dish. I never thought I would wax lyrical about a ‘salad’ but this one is bursting with flavour and freshness. It also acts as the ideal palate cleanser as you move through the various spicy accompaniments.

Peppercorn Masala Gravy

Anyone with an aversion to gravy – fearing lumps and clumps from the stuff of childhood, need have no more fear. This superior gravy is a glossy, golden-rich liquid made from coconut milk, turmeric, garam masala and preen peppercorn. The gravy is so delicately spiced it enhances each veggie side without overpowering the other flavours. Perfect for dipping in the Masala Chips…well, you could say it’s good for ‘dipping’ in anything. Consider us hooked.

Onion Pakora

Crunchy, crispy pakoras are the kind of snack you could just graze on all afternoon – packed with herbs, spices and beautifully browned onions – it would always been my veggie side of choice. Perfect on their own, or even better dipped in aforementioned gravy and with an addition of the tangy carrot pickle.

Sarso Da Saag

Sarso Da Saag is one of my favourite curries, and here you’ll discover one of the best versions of this beloved Punjab dish. This is an earthy, green curry, packed full of spinach, mustard greens and flavoured with chilli, garlic and coriander. It’s best mopped up with the accompaniment of fresh naan.

Carrot Pickle

Tangy, sweet, spicy…carrots have never been this tasty! A small but piquant accompaniment is the carrot pickle which bursts with flavour and enhances every bite of the meal. Just one small suggestion to the brilliant team at Oorja: I would put the carrots into their own little bowl – pickle this good deserves to be shown off.

Malai and Mango Kulfi Dessert

A dessert following such an epic Sunday Roast is a tough act to follow. However, opting for Kulfi bridges that gap, when you want something sweet and fresh and not too filling. The desserts come in a variety of flavours including Pistachio, Malai and Mango.

The Malai has that divine milky creaminess that is both sweet and comforting and is enhanced with the sprinkling of chopped pistachios, while the Mango is bright, zesty and almost sorbet-like in its freshness.

How much is the Sunday roast?

£25.00 Tandoori Butterly Spatchcock

£24.50 Spiced Roasted Lamb Rump

These prices include all accompanying side dishes.

The dessert was ordered separately.

Perfect for…

Gathering with friends and family, weekend catchups, celebrations, birthdays, and of course, the ultimate Sunday feast!

Anything else to know…

Along with their Sunday roast menu, you should also look at their Tiffin set menu and Pre-Theater dining options, as mentioned earlier in the article. These menus offer great value for money, with a generous selection of dishes to suit all palates.

Where to find Oorja?

117 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
WC2H 8AD

Website:
https://www.oorja.co.uk/

Nearest station:
Leicester Square