A thali is a complete Indian meal served on one plate: small portions of curries, rice, bread and sides arranged together so you get a little of everything. The word "thali" means plate, and it's how many families across India eat a full lunch or dinner.

At Ananda Kitchen, our Punjabi thali brings North Indian favorites together: paneer tikka masala, dal makhani, raita, roti, jeera rice, salad, pickle and a gulab jamun for dessert.

What comes on a thali?

Thalis change from region to region and home to home, but most include the same building blocks:

One or more curries: often a dal (lentils) and a vegetable or paneer dish.
Rice and bread such as roti.
Something cooling, like raita (yogurt).
Something sharp, like pickle, plus fresh salad.
Something sweet to finish.

The idea is balance: rich and light, spicy and cool, savory and sweet, all on one plate.

What comes on Ananda Kitchen's Punjabi thali?

Our Punjabi Thali ($16.99) includes:

Paneer Tikka Masala: paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a creamy, spiced tomato gravy.
Daal Makhni: a rich, creamy black lentil curry.
Raita: yogurt to cool things down.
Roti: Indian flatbread for scooping.
Jeera Rice: rice cooked with cumin.
Salad and pickle.
Gulab Jamun: a soft, syrup-soaked sweet for dessert.

What are the other thali options?

If you love one curry more than the other, you can double up:

Punjabi Thali with Double Daal ($16.99): two servings of daal makhni in place of the paneer, with the same raita, roti, jeera rice, salad, pickle and gulab jamun.
Punjabi Thali with Double Paneer ($18.99): two servings of paneer tikka masala in place of the dal, with the same sides.

Prices are from our current menu and may change. See the full menu for the latest.

How do you eat a thali?

There's no strict order, but here's an easy way to enjoy it:

Start with roti and curry. Tear off a piece of roti, use it to scoop up some paneer or dal, and eat. Traditionally this is done with the right hand, but a fork is fine.
Move on to rice. Spoon dal over the jeera rice and mix. Dal and rice together is one of the most comforting combinations in Indian food.
Use the sides. A little pickle adds a sharp, salty kick. Raita cools your mouth if something is spicy. Salad adds crunch.
Finish with gulab jamun. Save it for last.

Tip: pickle is strong, so start with a tiny bit on the edge of a bite and adjust from there.

Is a thali North Indian or South Indian?

Both. Thalis are served all over India, and each region fills the plate with its own dishes. A South Indian thali might center on rice, sambar and rasam, while a Punjabi thali, like ours, leans on creamy curries, dal and flatbread. Ours is North Indian in style, which makes it a nice contrast to the dosa, idli and vada on the rest of our menu.

Is a thali enough for one person?

A thali is designed as a full meal for one. If you're very hungry, add a side of naan, extra roti or rice. If you're sharing a table, a thali next to a masala dosa is a great way to taste both North and South Indian food in one visit.

Is the thali vegetarian?

Yes. Everything at Ananda Kitchen is vegetarian and made in our dedicated vegetarian kitchen. The Punjabi thali includes dairy (paneer, raita and the gulab jamun, for example), so it isn't a vegan dish. If you eat vegan, tell the counter and we'll help you choose. See our vegetarian and vegan page for more.

Can I order just the curries?

Yes. Paneer Tikka Masala Curry (16oz) and Dal Makhani Curry (16oz) are on the menu on their own, and both come with rice. For groups, we also have 48oz sharing trays of dal makhani and paneer tikka on our catering menu.

Where to get a Punjabi thali near College Park

Ananda Kitchen is inside BITES Food Court + Bar at 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783, in the Langley Park Shopping Center, a short drive from UMD, Takoma Park and Silver Spring. Parking is free.

We're open daily 11am to 9pm, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Order a thali online for pickup. Most orders are ready in about 30 minutes.