For 10 years now, loyal patrons from Paarl have dished up their favourite local authentic Indian cuisine at Moksh restaurant.
Entrepreneur from Mumbai, India, and sole owner of all eight Moksh restaurants across the Western Cape Sunil Krishnan not only celebrates a decade of business, but 20 years of “blissful” living in South Africa.
His success lies in promising guests an authentic taste of north Indian cuisine in places such as Welgelegen, Somerset West, Kenilworth, Haasendal, Milnerton and West Beach.
These spots are all staffed by professional chefs all the way from India, preparing a wide range of authenticity that offers something for everyone – from seafood to meat dishes – and even vegetarian meals.
Order a dish of the chicken or lamb korma, both served with basmati rice, naan bread or poppadoms. Old favourites such as samoosas, garnaalkerrie or lamb biryani are also on the menu.
Be it a dash or a dozen, Moksh treats you to savoury clay-oven dishes and exotic curries. They cater especially for families and prepare each individual meal just the way you like it: mild, medium or hot.
Come private functions, birthdays and corporate functions, their doors are open to offer their spicy specialities in Pastorie Avenue, Central Paarl.
The kitchen also boasts an authentic tandoor oven, probably the only one of its kind in Paarl and surrounds. This is a clay pit in which a fire is made, and it is heated to a very high temperature, about 400 °C.
Naan breads (flat breads) are also baked in this oven, with rounds of flat dough thrown onto the inside wall of the oven and needing only to bake for a minute until done.
Moksh also offers the option of a buffet, vegetarian or halaal meal. For dessert there is kheer, a popular Indian rice pudding, or vermicelli pudding, Gulab Jamun and many more.
This traditional family restaurant has flourished despite disrupting challenges brought on by the covid pandemic, but Krishnan counts his blessings.
“It was a tough front for us during the pandemic, but we’ve been blessed by our loyal patrons. It’s something I want to give back to my returning guests – it’s because of them that I celebrate this milestone today.
“Moksh has always shared strong personal relationships with its customers, so much so my number is always available on the website, and I am directly accessible to all the branches. If you ever have a problem with anything that happens at Moksh you are welcome to pick up the phone and contact me directly.”
Krishnan guarantees value for money, fresh food, quality and excellent service. He says it’s the kind of principles he has in common with his South African clientele.
“South Africans are very loving and caring people, and they are very loyal if you can give them honest, good-quality service. That’s why we say at Moksh, the honesty lies in our ingredients.”
The restaurant also offers a wide range of wines, supporting local wineries such as Laborie, Rhebokskloof and other cellars.
He is looking at expanding into the CBD soon.
Moksh Paarl is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 to 22:00. On Sundays it is open from 12:00 to 17:00, and 16:00 to 22:00 on Mondays.
• 2 Pastorie Avenue, Paarl. Tel: 021 872 4548.
