Pochys Home Style South Indian

The food here is really amazing. You can taste the authenticity in every bite. The owner makes all the spice blends, sauces, and seasonings from scratch, and it really shows in the flavor. He is passionate about what he does and cares a lot about quality and staying true to the food. It’s rare to find a place with this much heart and attention to detail. Food prepared with clean ingredients and authentic recipes. Highly recommend!

Fantastic! The Kathi rolls were soft and melt in your mouth!😋 The minute you walk in the aromas in the air told me this place was like a home kitchen in India🇮🇳 vs the typical curry smells in indian restaurants (which I also like). You get 2 Kati rolls per order..warm chewy wraps, the contents SO good: slow-meats and or veggies, and definitely ask for the mild stuff because they can get very spicy! If you do American medium spicy but not indian or Asian medium spicy, get only mild things😉👍

Wow is an understatement! This concept really intrigued me and I'm so happy we gave Pochys a try! Had the opportunity to connect with the owner when we visited and his passion and mission were undeniable. He told us all of the masalas (spice blends) were roasted and blended in house, something that truly makes a difference. The food was amazing, extremely flavorful and fresh; you can tell it's made upon order because everything comes out piping hot! My favorite was the chicken Kathi/rolls which were bursting with flavor and the texture of the chicken was fall apart. Everything we tried was delicious and we will definitely be back! PS: they are dog friendly and also have an outdoor patio.

I rarely write Google reviews, but the food here was genuinely disappointing. I ordered the Gobi Manchurian, and it was way too crispy - almost hard to bite into. Traditional Indo-Chinese Gobi Manchurian is coated in a flavorful sauce, but this had no sauce at all and tasted over-fried (like a extremely hard pakoda) I also ordered the butter masala mixed veg with bagar rice, but they forgot the bagar rice entirely. The dish itself didn’t taste like restaurant-quality food. The rotis were okay, and the vada pav was just alright, but overall the meal fell far below expectations. Definitely not worth the price or the experience.

I recently visited Pochys for the second time, and it did not disappoint! This time, I tried their Chicken Tenali Kura Roll and Curry, and both were absolutely outstanding. The flavors were rich and vibrant, and the dishes had that comforting, home-cooked quality—like something my mom would make. It’s clear that they use fresh, quality ingredients and take a lot of care in their preparation. What really sets Pochys apart, though, is the owner. He’s incredibly kind and generous, making sure every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of. It’s rare to find such genuine hospitality these days, and it really adds to the overall experience. I truly wish Pochys continued success because it deserves to thrive. I’ll definitely be back soon to try more of their amazing dishes! Highly recommend.

After hearing so much about it, tried with my best friend and she loves Indian food. Totally a mistake! So much oily and spices she couldn’t even handle. Was expecting at least someone who can say Hi! But saw no one but self order and self pickup robotic experience. But food we both order had same the taste/masala expect paneer/chicken. Don’t think will ever go back.

I agree this is the best Indian food in Berkeley (yes, even better than Vik’s, as the prior person said)! Delicious South Indian cuisine. It is true *homemade* quality food. The powerful and harmonious spices, the flavor complexity, the fresh ingredients, the fun menu, and of course the lovely family running the place. This joint will be a local favorite in no time!

All the food I've had here has been exceptional, and very tasty with the right amount of spice. The Dosa stands out! Only on weekends but nowhere in the bay area has Dosa anywhere close to this good. Yum! Thank you Pochy the fresh spices make a huge difference.

Ambiance: Pochys is a no frills casual spot.Its best for small groups (around 4 people) or just totally eating by yourself.There are a few tables outside in case you want to bring your furry friends. Food:I had the Tenali Kura paneer rolls and the Aloo Bonda. The rolls were so flavorful and had a good amount of heat from the chilis.2 of the small rolls was satisfying enough for a small meal. The Aloo Bonda was mildly spiced with what appeared to be turmeric, black mustard seed, and possibly some chilis. The cilantro chutney was a nice accompaniment to the slightly crisp outer layer of the Aloo Bonda. The chutney container was small; I'll ask for more next time. Service: The lady who served our food was so nice and welcoming. Value:I think the 2 rolls for $16 and the Aloo Bonda for $10 was a bit pricey. Other notes: I definitely want to come back to try the other dishes. I've been to many Indian spots in SF and the East Bay but haven't found anything else like Pochys. I'd rate the food 5 stars but the value is 4 stars.

Really delicious fast casual Indian food. I had the paneer rolls and added veggies and a boiled egg. It was delicious. Paneer is always fire but it was cooked in a slightly spicy curry sauce that I loved. Def add the peppers and onions for veggies and texture as well. My only critique- I wish you could mix and match rolls, since each order comes with two. Oh also loved that there was some cute outdoor seating.

Omg what a find! We were scrolling through Yelp to find a quick post-hike snack when we stumbled upon Pochys. We're so glad we found this place: usually we'd have to drive all the way to Sunnyvale or Cupertino for quality South Indian food so glad to have Pochys close by. The other thing that stands out is that it's not your "standard" South Indian fare like dosa/idli. Here, the menu is inspired by Bangalore grab-and-go food so the emphasis is more on the rolls (which you can get done in a variety of ways). We ordered the Tenali Kura Chicken Roll (2 for $16) which were delicious. I wasn't familiar with what Tenali Kura was (might be a Karnataka thing) but when we tasted it was exactly like what we'd expect to find in someone's house in South India. Very authentic/homemade flavor profile! Shoutout to the owner's 70 year old mom who very sweetly brought our food to us and asked us if we needed anything else. Totally adds to the charm/homeliness of the place. We'll be back to try the Donne biryani soon!

A very friendly couple own this place and they make authentic Bangalore style Indian dishes. The menu is not very extensive, but the food is delicious.

Super tasty food and the people that run it are friendly. I love that they don't go easy on the spice. Some welcome heat here. Recommended.

I'm not sure how I learned about Pochys. Either via Nosh or Yelp's Hot and New Businesses email or even the Chronicle's new restaurants section. Either way I bookmarked it on Yelp and Nina and I met here for lunch today. It's where Lulu's Berkeley was, on Camelia between 10th and 9th, It has changed since it was Lulu's. The outdoor seating is level w/ the sidewalk w/ one step up and one step down. There's a ramp to the interior space and it looks like there's a gate where the outside seating is to allow wheelchair access. You order at the counter and your food is brought to you. Because of a review I read prior to our visit, I was concerned about the spice level and discussed it w/ Aravind when I ordered. He told me the Butter Chicken was customizable by adding coconut cream and cashews to cut the spice. I ordered the lime juice to drink. He encouraged me to try the mango lassi w/ cardamom and I said I would next time. Nina ordered the same thing and we sat inside. When I finished the lime juice I requested a mango lassi, which Aravind brought to me. Our Butter Chicken was brought to us and it was tasty w/ no heat. The chicken meat was meltingly tender and moist, an achievement because it was white meat. When Aravind came to check on us we said we could use more spice, so he brought us small samples of the way they normally make it and it was delicious. Both of us would order it that way next time. The previous reviewer must be far more spice sensitive than we are. Aravind explained that the other dishes weren't customizable because the spices are cooked in, so they can't be changed. They will be reserved for those w/ a more robust spice tolerance than we have. The interior space is undecorated, the result, I think, of it being early days. I expect that to change over time. When I headed back to the bathroom Aravind came over to turn on the lights in the hallway and the bathroom for me. I thanked him and told him I needed to pay for my lassi and he said it was on the house, which was very kind and I appreciated it. This is an interesting new restaurant and I look forward to revisiting it.

The food was absolutely delicious. The service was lovely and the restaurant is cheerful and bright. The owner came and spoke to us about how the spiced are milled fresh, and you can really tell. The flavors in the four dishes we tried were outstanding and really sang in your mouth. Highly recommend!

We went for drinks at Berkeley when we stumbled upon this place . Their menu looked surprisingly diff than any other South Indian places , they don't serve the usual idli, dosa, Vada . Had some Vada pav it was perfect , also had some lovely biryani served by aunty . And it sent me back home where my aunt used to serve me similar biryani , the seasoning was perfect .

Genius marketing led to our discovery of this place! I saw a placard near my son's school on University and I was intrigued by the promise of South Indian street food. My husband is from Andra Pradesh and seeing the pics of the founders online, I knew this place would be legit. The food did not disappoint: vada pav, chicken tenali khura roll, and chicken 65. Wish there was imili and green chutney for the vada pav and lime along with the chicken 65 but those are simple asks for next time. And believe me, there will be a next time! Thanks for bringing authentic Indian food to Berkeley! We salute you!

Walked in on a Saturday afternoon around 1:00 PM and was seated immediately. I ordered a pair of chicken Tenali kura roll and my husband ordered a paneer and egg tenali kura roll. All the rolls were delicious. The chicken one specifically was DELICIOUS & AMAZING. Not too oily, the spice level was good for my Indian taste bud Will definitely be here next time I'm in Berkeley.

We got take out, and the Tenali Kura wrap was spicy and so delicious. Highly recommend!

Absolutely delicious! I can't recommend this neighborhood gem highly enough. Genuinely the best butter chicken I've ever had and the Kathi rolls were so good. The chef was also super friendly and explained how he makes everything and why Pochys is different because they use all fresh ingredients. Though it is kind of expensive for lunch, you are absolutely paying for quality.

We got the Butter Masala and the Tenali Kura chicken curries, as well as the biryani side and a mango milkshake (not a lassi) for two people. The portion sizes were good for a single meal, although I would say that the amount of chapati you get is definitely less than the rice if you choose that as your carb. The food was really flavourful and delicious. The mango milkshake was good but in general I still prefer lassi. The restaurant was clean and there was no wait at 7pm on a Friday evening. Looking forward to coming back to try the Manchurian curry and chicken 65. As a suggestion to the restaurant, it would be awesome to have a 3-curry sampler. 13th July 2024 Edit: Went back for the Chicken 65. This was incredibly good. It is likely to be spicy for many people, so be aware if you consider yourself to be sensitive to spice. However I could not get enough. Will definitely be eating this regularly going forward. I will also note that the food has not left me with the bloated/overfull feeling that often accompanies Indian food. Definitely recommend this place.

Disappointed. Place was empty . Got a "hey" when I walked in the door from guy on laptop. Then back to laptop. No one behind the counter Thought it would be fast Indian street food. I refuse to order from a screen and pay nice restaurant prices for small portions in an antiseptic environment. And leave a tip to bus my own table? No thanks- why have a restaurant at all? Why not a food truck? Or just order from a window? Tip: go visit Portland and see how they operate their boutique food places. I love Indian food. But will find it elsewhere

Really expensive and tiny portions. It's literally sauce, meat, carb. It's a good sauce, but really pricy for what you get. I also didn't feel like the person helping us really understood what was going on

Pochys was delicious! I went here with my brothers today and we enjoyed our yummy food. We got three dishes and they were all great. I really liked the spices in the biryani! I will definitely go back.

This place is great. Delicious South Asian flavors. Lots of fresh herbs. Spicy! Also lovely staff who are friendly and helpful. Highly recommended if you are craving authentic South Indian food.

Regional Indian food can be a whole other level of sensory adventure. You have to try it to know it. We tried Pochys at lunch today and were very impressed with their bold, flavorful creations. My husband had the Tenali Kura - Chicken and I had the egg version. We loved them both and enjoyed having our lunch in the covered seating outdoors on a quiet street. Service was quick. Pochys is a recent addition to the Berkeley dining scene and the team is clearly passionate about what they do! We will be coming back to try more of the menu!

Service was quick and staff friendly. Nice clean area if you want to dine indoors or out. The outdoors could be spruced up a little but it will do. Now the food. I chose the butter chicken because it's typically always good. And it was very good. The rice was a little undercooked so that was a bummer but managed to softened up with the gravy. The only disappointment was the amount of chicken. I felt there should have been more chicken and less rice given the $16 price. It won't keep me from going back though. I would try other items on the menu or just get the meal without the rice.

Great food and friendly service. The price point is kinda high, but not unexpected for Berkeley - that being said I would love to see a more vibrant atmosphere. Maybe some cool Bangalore streets inspired artwork and music? Excited to visit again and see how this place transforms!

Food was OUT OF THIS WORLD. We had the Gobi Manchurian, Chicken Kebab with the Biryani rice, and the Paneer curry. This isn't your average Indian place, it is just so so so much better. The flavors melt on your tongue and I couldn't help but keep ordering seconds. The owners are great people who you can tell really care about the food and their patrons and we had a great conversation with them. The ambiance and vibe are pretty nice too. 11/10 would recommend to anyone looking for a quick and wonderfully tasty bite. One of the best food experiences I've had.

Food was great and had some flavors I have never had in Indian cuisine. The bread in the wraps was soft and was a great way to consume the flavors of Masala and Tenali Kura. Both very recommended. My favorite was the Manchurian plate which was sort of an indo-chinese mix I had never seen. The food is cooked on a wok but has Indian spices and flavor, the chicken comes out crispy and was very enjoyable. Come check this place out, the owners are very welcoming .

This place is fabulous and quite different from other Indian restaurants I've experienced. The food tastes more like a home cooked meal with healthy and high quality ingredients. We talked with the owner and it didn't surprise us to learn they freshly grind their spices and use fresh ingredients, not canned. The clean, crisp flavors reflect that. We will definitely be going back again soon.

Finally a place that provides authentic flavors from Bangalore! Loved the perfectly crispy gobi Manchurian in a wrap with bell pepper, spinach and onion. The wrap with paneer Butter masala was really tasty! The lime juice with mint was most refreshing. Tenali kura an Andra delicacy was spicy and flavorful the way its supposed to be!

Hands down the worst vegetarian Indian food I've ever had. Folks giving it a great review must hate the food at Vic's, Adjanti, and Udupi, etc. where the flavors are textures are distinct for each dish. I tried two dishes at Pochys. The butter masala sauce was edible but the paneer seemed a little tough, as did the rice. The vegetable korma sauce had exactly the same texture except for some hard little peas and the taste was insipid. This is a chain restaurant concept that might work in a place where there are no other choices. Edit: I will say that staff was EXTREMELY pleasant and it's a nice quiet place to have lunch. I wish any restaurant owner well but it just wasn't my jam.

Amazing new spot in Berkeley, we had the Gobi Manchurian and Chicken Tenali along with a mango milkshake and a lime juice. The food is incredibly tasty, well spiced, and the drinks are very refreshing. Highly recommend everyone visit!

I ended up visiting Pochys last weekend on a visit to the East Bay from San Francisco, specifically to try the Manchurian here - I'm typically not a fan of the way it's prepared in most places out here and when I saw Bangalore street food flavors and a more condensed menu, I was intrigued to give it a shot. I had both the corn and chicken manchurian and they were both incredible - the corn is definitely something unique to try out here as it's unlike anything you ever get and the chicken manchurian hit the right nostalgic notes for me, had a nice kick to it and is definitely the best take on manchurian in the Bay Area that I've experienced so far! The fried rice also complemented the manchurian really well. I had the opportunity to try the butter masala paneer in a roll and the bagar annam rice dish as well. The butter masala is so flavorful and has this richness to it that makes you. The butter masala is more relatable of a flavor for people who enjoy Indian food out here in the US but it's also unique in its own way. The bagar annam rice dish is also something to try as it has a very unique aroma and taste that will take your taste buds on a ride. I also want to highlight the owner's (Aravind) hospitality - he chatted with us for a while and made me want to go back and try the upcoming dishes they're looking to add to their menu for their grand opening. Excited to see a true Indian street food concept here in the Bay Area and looking forward to come back for the manchurian and more!

What a great addition to the neighborhood. Interesting, delicious food--a little different than your standard stuff at other Indian restaurants. Reasonable prices. Outdoor and indoor seating. Everything we've tried so far on the menu has been good. The owner is super enthusiastic and friendly. He believes in fresh ingredients and authentic recipes, and he's happy to chat with you about his vision for the place. If you live in the neighborhood, you should drop by. I might become a go-to joint.

I love the food here from small original tasty bites to Indian Wraps that will fill you up. Great quality. While I typically grab an item to go, their cafe is pleasant clean modern with lot of natural light. A great addition to Berkeley's Gilman district. Sneak over here when you catch a band Ashkenaz, after shopping at REI or playing at Game On. PS - Make room for the Ulta Vada Pav -- yum!

The wraps are great. The flatbread is nicely textured and tasty. You get two to an order, sort of mini-burrito sized. Filling is a mix of the curry and accoutrements. Yum! The bowls are a combination of a flavored rice and the meat portion (paneer is a protein option), also nicely tasty. Spice level can be adjusted at ordering time. Medium is decently hot (for me). Friendly service, and they are dog friendly, and our dog got a dish of water.

Amazing! Fast and easy authentic Indian food! The owner and staff are extremely friendly and are happy to help and suggest items in their menu. Must try the Chicken 65 if you like spice, simply AMAZING! We ordered both the mango smoothie and lime juice and it was the best drinks I've ever had, perfect pairing with our delicious food. We will definitely be back to eat our way through their menu! Must try this place immediately if you haven't yet! As the cherry on top their location is right on the corner of the Camelia Street Outlets in Berkeley. What a convenient place! The ambiance was tranquil and clean!

Had a great lunch here today. Ordered the chicken 65, veggie biryani, Gobi manchuria, and paneer tenali kura. Everything was very flavorful with just the right amount of heat. Can't wait to come back and try other dishes.

Food is tasty but portions incredibly small for price. Service is mediocre and owner seems anxious and preoccupied on his other business. Marked up menu is very off putting - why have a menu if you deter guests from ordering more than half of it? Ambiance is fine.

I ordered 2 butter chicken masala rolls and my husband got the butter chicken with Bagar rice plate. The Bagar rice was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! Best Indian rice I've ever had. Unfortunately, the butter masala chicken though very flavorful was EXTREMELY spicy. The butter chicken masala is labeled mild but my mouth was on fire after every bite. I can handle a little bit of spice but the amount in the chicken was WAY more than I could comfortably handle. I wish the restaurant would let you order the rice alone because I would come by and buy multiple orders of that.

First time visiting the place with a few friends who have been here before and I'm so glad I came, just about all the things I tried here from my friend's plate were amazing and I had Chicken 65, can't wait to be back here again! Thank you for such great service and food, Shruthi & Aravind!

Came here with a buddy a few nights ago after reading about the new restaurant in Eater. We had a couple of the Manchurian bowls and shared a Vada Pav. Food was excellent. Definitely carries some heat so I washed it all down with a mango drink. Really delicious, no frills food. I would definitely recommend trying the food as it's not the normal Indian food that most Indian restaurants around here have like traditional curries. Owner is also very friendly and is really trying to bring some new authentic food from his home town.

Simply the best and most authentic Indian food in town. No doubt about it! Can't wait to try their upcoming biryani and vada pav!

Great new spot! The Gobi Manchurian is really fantastic and full of good flavors, the menu is straightforward and well thought out. We also enjoyed the Paneer Tenali Curry roll. The owners and staff are very welcoming and happy to explain the menu and inspiration behind each dish. Nice location and overall ambiance. Will be coming back!

AMAZING food and service! Everything we ordered (butter chicken and kati rolls) was delicious. You can tell that the ingredients are real and authentic. Tastes like home cooking!! Food was delivered quickly and the owner is really passionate about the food served here

I love Indian food, and can say without hesitation that this is the best Indian food I've eaten ANYWHERE. I don't know why this place was not on my radar sooner; other Indian restaurants in the East Bay pale by comparison. Delicious!

I think Pochys is the best new restaurant in Berkeley! It is different from other Indian food spots in the area, which is refreshing. My husband and I shared the Manchurian, butter chicken, and tenali kura bowls. All of them were very good. The owner told us that they grind the spices themselves and you can taste the difference. I recommend the mango milkshake too. I can tell that this is a family-run restaurant that puts the highest level care into every aspect of their business, especially the food. The neighborhood is lucky to have it :).

Good authentic Indian food. The owner was very hospitable. He was passionate about his recipes and it showed.

1 star for the chicken biryani, 3.5 for the tenali kura curry. They had the same spiciness description but the biryani was much spicier.

Tried this place at random after driving by it. I got the chicken butter marsala roll. It was so delicious. So many flavors. Service was great. I will be back to try other offerings.

Just wanted to write a quick review. I stopped in for lunch today and had the Tenali Kura chicken with fried rice. The curry was excellent with deep and layered flavors. Spicy, but not too spicy which is good for me. I'm looking forward to going back to try other things on the menu.

Came in for lunch and ordered the Butter Chicken over rice...wow wow wow...it is incredible! Tastes like my aunt's cooking, not like generic Indian restaurant fare, way more homie deliciousness. $16 is a steal; so much meat, I turned this into two meals, and the fragrant spices in both the curry and the rice were beautiful. Will absolutely be back and trying their specialties!

We catered from Pochys for a grad party of ~50 people. Aravind, the owner and chef, was super helpful in helping us decide the quantity and items on his menu that carry-out well. We got the baby corn Manchurian, paneer butter masala, tenali kura chicken, Bagara rice, fred rice and roti. Unanimous feedback from our guests was "this feels like home cooked food, flavorful, fresh and wholesome". The paneer butter masala is not your typical red paste sour tomato curry - it is authentic, made with cream and cashews and butter - was an absolute hit. The chicken had a deep flavor with the perfect amount of spice. The rice was spiced nicely so it tasted great but stood in the back against the gravies. The only one that didn't carry well was the Manchurian. Aravind advised us against picking Manchurian since it gets mushy, but I went ahead regardless. He packed the vegetable separate from the gravy, it still had to be eaten right away, which we didn't. It was tasty, but the texture was not ideal as it sat for a bit in our party tray as the evening progressed. Overall, pretty authentic, not your run of the mill Indian food in Berkeley. Hit the spot for a party, looking forward to seeing what Aravind cooks up next for appetizers beyond Manchurian for catering orders.

Fresh and delicious! First time I had the Gobi Manchurian plate which was so good, next two times butter paneer wrap, also great. The lime juice is perfect too. Others I was with had the chicken which they also liked. The gobi manchurian is worth the extra wait time. The portion size is perfect! I hope this place is successful because we really like it!

After a long time berkeley has some authentic Indian food, feels like eating at home. Menu is short and simple which says a lot about some effort to find selective items and serve the best