Trying Panipuri for the First Time: Paratha to Pasta Vancouver Review

Paratha to Pasta, Office Treat

Featured Item: Panipuri / Golgappe (25 pcs, $32)

Verdict: A solid first try, but my Indian colleagues say there's better panipuri out there, and they're taking me to Surrey to prove it.

A colleague in our Melbourne office brought panipuri for her team, and once HR caught wind of it, they suggested our Cork and Vancouver offices go buy some too. We happily obliged.

This was my first time ever trying panipuri. We ordered a 25-piece box ($32) from Paratha to Pasta, listed on their menu as Golgappe (the same dish, just a different regional name for panipuri), and two of my Indian colleagues walked me through exactly how to eat it properly: crack open the crisp hollow puri, fill it with spiced potatoes and beans, then add a spoonful of the tangy pani water before popping the whole thing in your mouth.

For a first-timer, I thought it was good. My colleagues, however, immediately disagreed. According to them, this version was fine but far from the best, and there's a lot more flavour and crunch to be had elsewhere. They've already promised to take me to a spot in Surrey they swear makes a far superior panipuri, and honestly, I can't wait.

My very first panipuri experience, apparently there's better out there.

I should apologize for the photo, since we also had this alongside some beautifully packaged mooncakes, and the spread ended up looking a little chaotic on the table. Still, it made for a pretty fun cross-cultural office snack day.

Have you tried panipuri before? Any Surrey recommendations I should know about ahead of my next visit? Let me know in the comments!

Related Smooch Food Posts:

• [Awaiting confirmation: first Paratha to Pasta visit or past post links]