Punjabi Junction

$2/ bread pakora; $1/ barfee Everything in the display glass looks delicious and enticing and you want to try all of it. The outwardly unassuming and humble exterior of the place is, I’d say, more of a quality and a badge of authenticity in present-day New York than the opposite. I like its humble trappings personally. The prices are pretty consistent with other comparable Indian delis (e.g. compare with Punjabi Deli on the LES) and with current New York deli pricing in general ($12-16/ meal platters — that’s not especially cheap). I think you get value from the ready-to-go pakoras, bread pakoras and samosas and all the other confections in the display glass. I had never seen bread pakora before so I wanted to try that. It was like French toast but with pakora spice seasoning. It was a nice, good, easy, quick & cheap snack. They had such a wide selection of delicious looking types of barfee so I wanted to try that. It’s a nut and milk based sweet with a fudge-like consistency. I got the pistachio one. It was yummy —similar to fudge. I’d be curious to try the Indian Coffee ($2.50/ Small, $5/ Large) and the Doodh Pati which is the Pakistani chai made just with milk and no water.

Excellent everything. Super-fresh, authentic Indian food. The menu options change daily but there is always something good in those options. Incredible value. You will get giant portions for a very reasonable price. You can't sit down here obviously, but this is still very high quality food for a fraction of the price of similar restaurants in the area. Cannot recommend highly enough. Very friendly employees. I recommend not going during peak hours as it can get crowded and you then would have to wait a while for customers ahead of you.

This Indian bodega is a true local gem of the UES! Award-winning chef Sohal crafts authentic Indian meals in their kitchen with fresh, organic ingredients creating her many signature dishes such as wonderful Parantha and spicy biryani. If you’re in a hurry for a curry, you will find a convenient selection of both fresh and pantry items on hand along with unique sweets treats and desserts to round off your meal.

I stumbled in here looking for a quick dinner. I ordered the vegan combo with lentils, mixed vegetables, and rice - everything had great flavor. There was a combo of potatoes, eggplant, and peppers which I loved. The portion was massive, next time I’ll get a side of rice because I ran out with plenty of main left.

Been eating here for 3+ years and continue to love it. Truly an irreplaceable shop. Highly recommend the sandwiches and chai here

Where else can you find and quick, tasty and nutritious lunch for $12 on the upper East Side? This place is great. The service is fast and friendly and the food was delicious. I got two samosas - which reminded me of how my neighbor used to make them - and a chicken curry with rice. The small was sufficient for me and I'm a big guy. It was slightly spicy with plenty of warming flavors and was perfect on a rainy day.

tried the chai, aloo matar, and veg samosas. well priced and good

Punjabi Junction is definitely worth checking out. We discovered this hidden gem and have been impressed with the selection and delicious food. We've had them cater our Diwali party the past few years and it's always a hit! The owner is very pleasant and reliable. The grocery section is also a plus when you need to grab Indian spices and snacks. Great spot!

We're now regulars (there every two weeks or so) and I want to write an updated review. 1. Despite their absence on my first visit, there ARE typically curry leaves in the refrigerator case. They usually also have okra; green chilies (kanthari and jwala chillies, I think); and cilantro. The establishment is AMAZING in that if you text them to ask if they have a product, they will respond very quickly. In some cases they can special order an item for you. 2. Around Diwali, there's a huge selection of mithai, many of which are decorated with gold foil and quite presentable as gifts (if you take them home and package them nicely in your own boxes; they come in your usual plastic takeout containers). They are also extremely delicious, especially the kaju katli and besan laddoo. 3. Staff aren't all big on smiling, but all have been very nice, very helpful, and patient with me slowly puttering around the shop examining everything. I would personally be so tickled if they carried more fresh produce, but given the tiny space and focus on takeaway, I get why there's more of a lean towards shelf stable items in the grocery section. This is a gem, regardless!

Awesome Indian deli where you can get anything from sandwiches to platters! They have a really big selection of desserts as well. This place is perfect for a quick hearty meal with reasonable prices and really reliable. It's also a market with a lot of Indian cuisine staples so I will 100% be coming back for both aspects of this place! 100% worth checking out!

Mixed veggie pakora, raita, chickpeas, and basmati rice seasoned with green peas and a ton of ghee were so delicious. The place is small but absolutely filled to the brim with desi goods. Crackers, cookies, and candies are by the door in front, while towards the back behind the refrigerated counter there are shelves of spices and fridges filled up with yogurt, drinks, vegetables, and frozen goods. I'm looking forward to coming back, and trying out some of their sandwiches. The paneer looked tasty, and the desserts too. Based on what I got, they do really generous portions for quite a good price! Truly a hidden gem in the area!

Punjabi Junction was okay. Not great, but okay. The chana masala was on the higher end of okay; the lamb curry on the lower end. The nan sadly did not make the okay cut. Definitely was popular for a bodega with a hot plate/microwave. Also, loads of unique taste treats (prepackaged).

Great neighborhood find! Wonderful and real bargain. Warning: it's all on the spicier side, but really delicious.

Solid for a quick, inexpensive meal. I had the small mutter paneer with rice, which had a classic flavor for just a few dollars. The store has a small selection of produce and dry goods, plus some snacks. The groceries are expensive, but you pay for the convenience.

Honestly, a hidden gem! This place's food is top tier in terms of a mix of quick and easy deli/bodega style with an Indian twist. My go-to is their spicy Chicken sandwich on a roll (with everything on it) which sounds basic but the green peppers they add and other ingredients make it worth a try. I love the range of things on their menu - from samosas, kebabs, and pakora for apps. To traditional Indian platters that I assume are vegan and vegetarian friendly. The service and range of options they provide from heating up the food, or ordering specific Indian snacks or mangoes seems to be something they offer as well. I observed someone come and do a pick up of a box of mangoes. They're super friendly in terms of service and engagement! As I mentioned, they come off as a quick and easy deli but their rave reviews (featured on their storefront) are worth a read. They offer simple outdoor seating on a New York street. Overall, the feel inside make it a place to frequent for quick and delicious bites.

Punjabi Junction has been on my list for a while now and I finally stopped by this week. I got one portion of potato curry with rice, and one order of the lamb masala ($7 each). The prices were incredibly reasonable for the portions, and I had some leftover for lunch the next day. The food was great, with the perfect amount of spice, and service was fast. In addition to the hot food options for take out, this store also doubles as a small grocery shop with spices and food. This is going to be my winter take-out go to! I'll be back again soon!

A small hole in the wall grocery store- I come here when I need Indian spices or a good chai and samosa. The workers are helpful if you're looking for an ingredient for your Indian curry. Definitely check out the chai if you are nearby!

For such a tiny store, they manage to fit a ton of products inside! I had one of every little sweet dessert in the case. Not sure what they were but they were all delicious! Samosas also decent.

Solid Indian takeout food, good portions. Easy pickup. Close to subway. Also a market inside.

Delicious homemade food! Prices are very reasonable for quality of fresh used ingredients. The place is a family run, shop with DELICIOUS hot chai, great food options and yummy Indian snacks. Don't miss out!

Punjabi Junction has been on my list to visit since the Covid pandemic started. This day when I saw the door open and the Welcome sign I decided to go inside. I asked if they minded if I take photos. Later I saw a sign about taking photos. The man had already said I COULD take photos. I tried my best to explain to him why but I'm not sure he understood. I also tried my best to find something that I could buy but failed. There's too much seasoning and it was too early in the morning to make decisions. The employee started to become apprehensive about my intentions. I'm still rating this special business five stars. It's very well stocked and clean. The one employee was hard at work stocking shelves and the other was definitely ready to assist me if I wanted to make a purchase. I suggest you visit when you have a lot of time to spend because there's an enormous amount of items to choose from. You know me, I have to take time to read all the ingredients!

Excellent everything. Super-fresh, authentic Indian food. The menu options change daily but there is always something good in those options. Incredible value. You will get giant portions for a very reasonable price. You can't sit down here obviously, but this is still very high quality food for a fraction of the price of similar restaurants in the area. Cannot recommend highly enough. Very friendly employees. I recommend not going during peak hours as it can get crowded and you then would have to wait a while for customers ahead of you.

A great no frills spot on the upper east side for Indian food that feels and tastes home cooked. I generally rarely get vegetarian Indian food from restaurants because of how heavy it is but this spot had items that tasted super close to how I would make them at home. I caved and got some samosas as well and liked that they had individual tamarind sauces like ketchup packets ( super curious on where I can get my hands on these elsewhere). You don't normally come across spots like this in the UES, so it's a great addition to the area!

4.5 stars Been here multiple times for various things: Aloo paratha - 5 stars; homemade and full of filling Gobi paratha - 5 stars; it's exactly like how your mom would make it Paneer paratha - 2.5 stars; too dry for my taste Sarson da saag - 4 stars; tastes wonderful with their bajra rotis Samosas are pretty standard by Manhattan restaurant standards. Won't rate as I am extremely biased and snobbish about my samosas. They have other snack items as well. Definitely buy the tandoori makhanas while you're there. Excellent service with a smile from both aunty and uncle. I keep coming back as it's my neighborhood deli.

Food is fresh, service fast at this easily missed Indian take away spot. Veggie pakora ($2 for 3)and samosa($2) make yummy cheap snacks. Chicken curry was delicious. Everything tastes homemade, $14 comes w two veggie sides. NYT reviews are posted on the storefront.

the chai was incredible!!! Fresh cardamom and ginger, you can ask for more!! Will now be one of my regular stops on the UES!

I have to hand it to this space on the UES which is a hidden secret gem. I've walked by this shop countless times and always assumed it was just another bodega. I was wrong. Inside you will find a mini Indian grocer with a full take out menu. The food was amazing - I ordered the lamb combo and samosas - so good! The grocery section of the store has a great selection of Indian delights. Again, I had no idea any of this was inside the store since from the exterior it just appears to be a normal neighborhood convenience store. I most definitely will be back!

It's easy to think it's just convenience store at a quick glance so I'm glad I slowed down from my usual Olympic race walking pace to take a closer look. Their menu is a welcomed break from the usual Indian offerings. The sandwiches are a regular in my lunch rotation and the biryani, only available on Sundays, are also great. Order ahead on their website and it'll be ready for pickup on time.

This is the best restaurant/grocery store. They have home made rotli's available for purchase, and incredible home made indian food.

I came here and purchased a pistachio Kulfi, a traditional Indian ice cream for $3. As I ate it in the sun, and it dripped down my finger, I made sure I slurped up every last bit. It was a totally delicious frozen treat. The fresh food looked really nice, I will come back to try. I am glad cool places like this exist in the Upper East Side.

Delicious food and friendly service. I love the variety of the paneer combo that I get for the price!

Just wow!! I walk by here all the time and decided to check it out and am so happy I did. The first thing i noticed is how beautiful and clean the store is. The foods of the day and snacks are at the front. They have an amazing frozen section in the back with frozen naans and chapatis. I came in on a sunday and tried their paneer biryani, samosas, and potato + pea aloo matar. Everything was crazy good. Samosas are huge and fresh. The biryani was fragrant and lasted for a few meals. My favorite part is actually the frozen filled chapatis which are like 3.50 a pop and are the perfect meal addition when im craving quick indian food. The owner is so nice and gave great suggestions! I can't wait to come back.

Doesn't look like much as you walk by but warm aromatics welcome you in immediately. The front is lined with prepared foods and a coffee bar while the back opens up to pantry items, spices, and refrigerated/frozen foods. I came to get a chai and it is absolutely delicious - the spices are much stronger than I've had before, hitting the back of your throat in the best way that just warms you up. I am glad to have come in this spot because chai is my drink of the winter and this is my new favorite. They accept card but bring cash if you can!

What a lovely place Punjabi Junction of 87th is. We ordered the chicken platter (x2) that included chicken in a non-spicy sauce, chickpeas, cauliflower with potatoes and basmati rice. Before ordering, we asked the gentleman behind the counter which food was the least spicy and he assured us that none of the food was spicy. Unfortunately, this wasn't entirely true. LOL. The chickpeas had a hint of heat and cauliflower-potato side dish had a more significant kick. This was fine for me (I actually like my food spicier) but it was a little daunting for the person eating the second platter. Regardless, we enjoyed the prepared food and the tidy shopping area in the back. The owner/ manager very welcoming. I should add that there is nowhere to eat in the store. It is strictly take-out. Five stars.

What an auspicious find as I was walking through the neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon. The owner was friendly and helped us with the Indian grocery selection. Thank you, Ms. Sohal, for explaining the flours that you carry and for recommending the dosa mix. As for the preparedfood, I asked what they recommended for a veg sandwich and I was encouraged to try the Aloo Tikki sandwich. It was wonderfully fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed the potato, Indian sauces, and lightly toasted roll. I will be returning to Punjabi Junction to try more of their sandwiches soon! The store/takeaway is super reasonably priced.

OMG their chai! It's nothing fancy, but their masala chai is what you need right now. It's the perfect balance of tea, milk and cardamom. You adjust the sweetness. Don't expect a Starbucks chai latte because this is the real deal, homemade goodness. Also, if you're missing your dollar coffee cart from work because of the quarantine this might be the spot. At the very least you'll get the cup. Tip: you can totally order Indian snack shop stuff that's not on the menu. I got a samosa chaat.

Quick service! Food already prepared and you select what you'd like in your tray. Pricing is ok, coming in around $15 before tax but can't complain regarding authenticity and portion size

High on taste and functionality, this place is highly recommended for home-style Indian food. Finding this seemingly hole-in-the-wall Indian food outpost on the Upper East was a pleasant surprise. In the few weeks since it's opened, I've visited or ordered from here thrice already. This is a highly functional setup - with groceries, snacks, and food - and serves authentic, home-style North Indian food. Indian snacks, including tea, and the dinner platters are excellent and highly econom While COVID-19 has affected their launch and preparedness, the owners have managed to keep operations going. Wishing them the best! Update: They have specials running through the week. The specials range across curries, stuffed parathas, sandwiches, and on Sundays they have biryanis, which are excellent!

Looks like a neighborhood deli on the outside but the owners serve really good Indian food front either the small steam table or prepackaged to reheat. Chai had a really nice bite and samosa filling was moist and wrapped in a flaky crust.

I used to live in Kip's Bay close to all the Indian places for a long while before buying and moving to Yorkville. Other than the subway commute (I used to walk to work before), the one issue for me is to find the time to go to the Indian store. So glad to have this place right next to me! You can get most of the basics such as dal, rice, atta, and some Indian veggies. More importantly, you can get prepared food that is home made. I loved their aloo tikki sandwich/roll. So tasty!!!!

Such a great find! Food is always fresh and tastes delicious. Very reasonable priced and prepared with love. Great vegetarian options!

This was an amazing lunch spot! Came here for a quick bite and was able to sit outside with friends. They have 2 tables right outside. We had the Aloo Tikki Sandwich, Paneer Biryani, and Chicken Meatballs over rice with a side of Samosas. All came with two types of flavorful chutney. For a drink I had the best Pomegranate Nectar, and there are plenty of soft drinks to choose from inside. The samosas were spiced perfectly and my sandwich was so good I would easily get it again. The vegetables and other ingredients were imported from India, so I heard, and I believe it based on the taste. Truly happy we stopped here. Will definitely recommend to friends in the future.

This small shop tucked away in the corner of 87th and 1st avenue is every bit true to it's name. The store is very well stocked for it's size. Their Samosa's are on point. They have fresh made Roti's and Parathas daily and a good variety of prepared foods (not the type of Indian food that gives you a heart attack but regular tasty food you can have everyday and not feel sick). They have most Indian grocery items from daals, spices, Indian sweets and other snacks; I even found Wagh Bakri Chai (I couldn't find that in Murray Hill). UES is known for its Jewish bakeries, ice-cream shops and German restaurants, but not it's Indian joints (you'd have to venture out to Murray hill for that). However, this place is a true gem. I'm originally from Toronto, Canada and one thing I have always missed in NYC is a feel of an authentic family owned Indian store. I frequent this place on a regular basis now and every-time I enter it feels very comfortable. The store owner is a jovial larger than life type personality. You can often hear him in the background making jokes with customers and just plain old being jolly. His wife seems to be the backbone of the store. Interacting with either of them just lifts your spirits. Neighborhood authentic ethnic shops like this are what make NYC really special.

Best Indian food I've eaten in awhile. The lamb curry and rice reminds me of food cooked in my own home in India. Absolutely delicious, excellent quality and unparalleled service. The owners are extremely warm and welcoming. I can see why their cooking is so well praised and has won accolades. I love the idea of fresh home-style food without the extra cream or grease of typical indian take out. The store also has a bunch of frozen foods, cookies and other pantry staples for a decent price. I can't recommend this place enough! I ate the samosas before I could take a picture but they were full of flavor, fresh and crispy. This is definitely going to be a weekly haunt for me.

Very warm and caring owners who guide you through a tailored selection. I come here at least 3-4 times a week for their masala chai paired with ParleG biscuits. Praying that they continue to flourish. The UES needs you Punjabi Junction!

Small punjabi deli that opened during the covid lockdown. I'm so glad they did - the food is excellent and the owners are really kind. Got the saag paneer, chicken, and kidney beans w rice for $12 and it is better than most, if not all, of the indian food you can get in the area. Game changer for this neighborhood!

Incredibly friendly owner! I've literally tried everything in the store here are my favorites: 1. Chai with sugar is out of this world & only $2. Goodbye Starbucks! 2. Parathas made fresh on Wednesdays simply incredible and an absolute deal. 3. Chickpea and okra curries, homemade, not greasy at all and full of flavor

Consistently delicious homemade Punjabi food and great value. I feel very fortunate living walking distance from this shop. I'm addicted to their samosas and parathas. I see myself coming back all the time.

The cooked food is good, flavorful, seems authentic. Decent amount of food for a $15 combo platter. Masala chai was watered down, was a bit disappointed after reading good reviews about the chai.

Chicken biriyani - tasty but more pulao than biriyani- doesn't justify the $15 price tag. Good portion. Comes with boondi Raita

SO welcoming! Authentic, fresh food that's certified organic. Small business, woman-owned (shes the owner and the ! It's a must.

Great little place with all the essentials I need for great Desi cooking & ready made food as well. So happy to have this in the area!

We have been waiting for a place like this for so long! This place is so good!! Now we don't have to go to Jersey for our Indian groceries. The food is delicious and reminds me of a home cooked meal. I have tried the chicken biryani, the spicy chicken sandwich, and samosas. Everything is very tasty and worth trying! The owners are so friendly and welcoming from the minute you walk in the door. Everything is priced very reasonably and they have just about everything in such a small space. Definetly worth a visit if you are in the area!

The food here tasted authentic while being so delicious. Like another reviewer said, the lady who owns/ works here is so helpful in picking out delicious dishes. We got a variety of foods and each dish was different from the other and equally yummy. I think you can choose to have the food heated in the store for you or take it home which is easier since they only have one table outside. We got the chicken biryani which was so fully packed in the container with lots of chicken in it and seasoned perfectly. We got some kind of peas and paneer dish which was a new dish for us. It was creamy but light. There was a squash dish which again was good different from what we've had before in Indian cuisine. My husband liked the goat curry here as well saying the meat was tender and that the curry had good flavor. Back towards the store they had golbi which is a new dish for us. We opted for the healthier cauliflower flavor and it was full of spices and cooked so quickly and easily on our stove. Will definitely come here when craving authentic homemade Indian food.

So happy that I can get my desi grocery fix right here in ues now. It's a tiny little cozy store and the lady who works there is always extra kind to me.

About time Upper Manhattan got an Indian grocery store! This place is small but is packed with so many delicious goodies. You can get curry leaves, dosa batter, fresh chapathis and veggies (excellent okra) here. All the fresh food is prepared daily. I tried the samosas and they are SUPERB. Every Sunday is biryani day, and every Wednesday is paratha day. Everything is prepared fresh in the kitchen right there.

Glad to have a place nearby to get a good chai! Looking forward to trying the food here and maybe picking up some spices for cooking.