V-Rating: VVVV
Where: 128 Lygon St, East Brunswick
When: Tue-Sun: 5pm — 11pm
Tel: (03) 9387 7771
Prices: Entrees = $1.50-$3, Mains = $8-11

Disclosure: I’m a massive curry fan. My obsession started back in Brisbane in my late teenage years when a friend introduced me to the — what were then — exotic delights of a non-meat-and-three-veg meal (I was an early twenties veggie convert.) I continued my curry quest in London while living there and became accustomed to enjoying an outstanding curry experience at least once a week. Since returning to Melbourne I’ve been satisfied with, but not blown away by, curries in various Melbourne and Sydney locations.

Enter Kake Di Hatti. Kake (as it’s affectionately known) is undoubtedly the best curry I’ve discovered in Australia. Don’t let the dingy and eclectic appearance of the restaurant put you off — the food is amazing. And as with all curry houses, veggie choices abound.

For starters you can’t go past a round of papadams with pickles. For second starters the onion bhajis, vegetable samosas and subjee pakoras are to die for. If there are three or more dining, give the $10 mixed platter a whirl. You will be overwhelmed and overstuffed by vegetarian tidbits with a small salad, chutnees and pickles.

Moving on to main course, there are a range of curries all available with vegetables. In my Kake career I have eagerly devoured degchis (roasted spices, tomato, onion, ginger, garlic and capsicum), kadhais (fresh tomato, ginger, garlic and capsicum) and my personal favourite, vindaloos. I’m not a huge fan of creamy curries but my various dining companions will heartily vouch for the makhani (butter, cream, spices, tomato), korma (cashews, cream, tomato, onion, ginger and garlic) and madras (coconut cream, chilli, onion, tomato, ginger and garlic).

If standard curry isn’t really your thing there are nine vegetarian house specials to sample. Standouts include daal makhani, alu cholle (chickpea cooked with potato, ginger, garlic and spices) and muttar mushroom (green pea and mushroom curry).

There is, however, one menu item that lets the team down: garlic naan. While the curries and other dishes pleasingly avoid the over-oily feel of a lot of Indian food the garlic naan is dripping with butter. Stick to the plain naan or the excellent roti.

Wash it all down with a BYO beer (don’t rely upon the cheap, but undrinkable, supply of house brew — see here for more information) and rejoice when your wallet barely takes a hit. It’s possible to walk away from Kake Di Hatti feeling uncomfortably full and sufficiently boozed for less than $20 each. With a fantastic range of veggie delights, friendly down-to-earth service, all at the right price, Kake is a must-visit.

Share This