An invite to taste Bundobust’s Christmas menu was something I did not want to miss out on. Having attended the launch, and visited a few times since, I am a big fan of this Manchester street food brand.
I was due to fly to Dusseldorf for the Hamburg Christmas markets the following morning so a big feed before a long day of travelling was very much welcome.
Town was fairly quiet with train delays and cancelations, abysmal weather, heavy rain, cold, damp, dark and grim!
To be honest it had put me in a bad mood and was just thankful I at least was staying in the city centre ready for an early flight.
Entering Bundobust, it was quiet, yet cosy with tables laid out fresh and clean ready for the evening trade.
Staff were friendly and chatty and allowed me to choose a large table in the window with a view of the whole venue. I was a little saddened to hear the DJ no longer plays, however, the sound track that evening was absolutely brilliant. I shazammed a few tunes such as Thinking Black by The Monophonics, West Coast Poplock by Ronnie Hudson, 2 Far Gone by Moses Boyd and Mirza Boliyan by Northern Lights. The soulfull jazzy funky selection matched the colourful cool interior and my mood began to lift.
My choice of beer was a Peela Pale Ale – light and refreshing. I did note also some enticing cocktails such as Bundo Snowball (Banana Liqueur, Coconut, Ginger & Lime), Grasshopper (Chocolate & Mint Liqueurs, Cream & Cardamom) and Sloe Gin Sour (Sloe Gin, Amaretto, Cranberry, Ginger & Lemon).
Earthy Dal Makhani boosted with black cardamom, clove and cinnamon. Served on basmati rice and was possibly my favourite along with the bhaji and chutney..
All the food was brought at once which I didn’t mind as was ravenous.
The selection included Sprout Bhajis crafted from crispy onion, sprout and broccoli spiked with fennel and chilli. These were served with a spiced cranberry chutney and were utterly delicious, the combination needs to be an all-year-round option. Some bhajis can be a tad dry but these were crunchy and light with immense taste.
I then tucked straight into the Sprout Bhaji Butty, a crispy sprout bhaji patty with salad and spiced cranberry and green chutneys in a vegan brioche, a perfect way to slide from the bhaji with chutney.
The bun was again, light and crispy and folded nicely into the mouth with a slight zing! I noted that £1 from each Bhaji Butty sold goes to #CookForUkraine.
On now to the Festive Dhal & Rice. This was a warming and smoky lentil curry. Earthy Dal Makhani boosted with black cardamom, clove and cinnamon. Served on basmati rice and was possibly my favourite along with the bhaji and chutney. I surprised myself with how well I polished this off as it seemed like a lot all laid out in front of me, but the moreishness and addictive flavours were demolished quickly – This really is one to try!
the Mince Pie Paratha.. oh my days, an explosion of sultana, raisin, cinnamon, clove, star anise and coconut and I actually saved half of this for my breakfast..
I was not so keen on the Biryani Balls, which are rice balls spiced with mint, saffron, ginger and rose, served in a rich tomato sauce and topped with crispy onions. It wasn’t really to my taste but I am sure others would disagree.
And finally two sweets, the Mince Pie Paratha, which looked a little dry, but once you bite into this.. oh my days, an explosion of sultana, raisin, cinnamon, clove, star anise and coconut and I actually saved half of this for my breakfast and tasted just as superb cold as hot, ha! Maybe some ice cream to go with it would be a nice touch?! And finally the rice pudding which reminded me of my late father, who, was a massive fan of rice pudding so that one was for you mate x
An overall wicked experience in Indian street food, full of taste, well thought out, cooked, presented and a joy to eat. Keep it going Bundobust, I’m sold!
The Christmas menu is available until 31st December 2023.
Words by Nick Byng for Grapevine Birmingham.