Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express to open in Carnaby Street

After a four year journey that began as a supper club for 12 guests in her home in West London, Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express is ready to make a stop at its permanent home in Carnaby Street this June.

Located on the second floor of Kingly Court, Darjeeling Express will be the first permanent restaurant for self-taught cook Asma Khan.

Asma will be serving traditional Indian food made according to her family recipes handed down through generations replicating the “dawaats”, or family feasts, which played an important role in her life.

The dishes cooked in these “dawaats” were often seasonal dishes associated with family celebrations or festival.

The menu at Darjeeling Express will change every few months to reflect the season.

Asma plans on using local British organic seasonal ingredients to cook very traditional Indian Cuisine, such as, the super spicy Bengali beetroot chop made with British organic beetroots from the Fens.

The 56 cover restaurant will feature an open kitchen run entirely by women.

Most of these women began as part-time kitchen assistants to Asma and have stayed with her over the years and the success of Darjeeling Express has been built on this foundation of female empowerment.

Asma and her team believe in the ability of women to dream and achieve their goals and want to share their passion and love for cooking with Londoners.

The dishes available at Darjeeling Express are a mélange of regional and city specialities like Calcutta Chicken Chaap, Hyderabadi Haleem, Rogni Roti, Bengali Kosha Mangsho, Mutton Shikampuri Kabab and Calcutta Dum Biryani combined with street-food dishes like Puchkas, Papri Chaat and Bihari Lentil Fritters.

Darjeeling Express will start with a lunch and dinner service with 60 per cent of the tables available to book online.

Sunday brunch will be served from Noon until 4pm. The team wants to retain their supperclub roots and will be hosting Sunday night supperclubs from winter this year.

More information can be gleaned from Darjeeling Express’ Facebook page.