Indian Cuisine isn’t something most people would consider a staple in Vineland. Diwan Grill is here to change that. When the owner, Sanjeev Kumardub, decided to move his restaurant from Brooklyn, NY to Downtown Vineland, he saw an opportunity to show off in a virtually untapped market.

VDID staff were invited to Diwan Grill last month to sample both classic and contemporary Indian dishes. Here’s what we learned: Indian is one of the most flavorful cuisines in the world. Here’s some of the dishes we tried that are perfect for your first experience at Diwan Grill. When you’re ready, order online at diwangrillnj.com and receive 20% off your first order!

Appetizers: Samosas, Garlic Shrimp, and Smoked Chicken Wings

It should be a rule that every first-timer at an Indian restaurant should have to try the Samosas. A Samosa is a crispy fried turnover filled with seasoned potatoes and peas. Like french fries, it’s hard to resist eating the whole basketful, and the two sauces that came with them – a cilantro chutney and a sweet tamarind sauce – complete the flavor roller coaster. For something a little more familiar that introduces Indian flavor, the Garlic Shrimp and Smoked Chicken Wings are delicious appetizers.

Deep cut: Papdi Chaat is a famous Indian street food snack that combines crunchy fried crackers with soft potatoes, chickpeas, cool yogurt, and flavorful sweet-and-tangy sauces. Choose this for a super authentic appetizer loaded with flavor.

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Entrees: Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken

These two are the perfect introductory dishes for anyone new to Indian cuisine. Both are creamy, tomato-based curries featuring marinated chicken, but with slightly different flavors. Butter Chicken heavily relies on butter and heavy cream for a smooth and somewhat sweet sauce. Chicken Tikka uses more tomato and onion to create a tangier cream sauce with hints of warm Indian spices. Serve over jasmine rice and add a side of naan (Indian flatbread) for dipping and you’re in for a delicious experience!

Deep Cut: Chicken Kali Mirch is a creamy, pepper-forward North Indian and Pakistani chicken curry made with a rich cashew-yogurt gravy and plenty of freshly crushed black pepper. Like heat? You can choose to “spice up” any dish when ordering online at Diwan Grill

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Entrees: Kheer (rice pudding) and Mango Lassi

Living in Jersey, the diner capital of the world, most people know rice pudding. Kheer is a traditional South Asian variation of rice pudding that stands out through its unique use of aromatic spices, slow-simmered whole milk, and other flavor-packed mix-ins. A cultural twist on something very familiar. Mango Lassi, a beverage, is most easily compared to a fruit smoothie, made by blending ripe mangoes, yogurt, milk, and a touch of sugar or spices like cardamom. Perfect for summer time!

Downtown Vineland prides itself on being a cultural hub for the city, offering food and retail options that represent the various heritages that make up our citizenry. Diwan Grill is a great addition to Downtown and we hope you think of them next time you want to try something new.