Review: Sunday Brunch at The Ganga Cafe, Bangsar

New management took over The Ganga Cafe recently, introducing what could soon become a Sunday staple for fans of fulfilling weekend feasts: A buffet brunch that celebrates interesting vegetarian Gujarati fare.

Owners Meeta & Prabodh Sheth hold court in a cafe that stirs vibrantly to life with families & friends spurning Eggs Benedict & French toast for cooking that’s wholly different but wholesomely delicious nonetheless. Plus, at only RM16 per adult & teenager, this might work well for customers torn between wanting to binge & needing to tighten their belts (economically speaking).

Hara Bhara Kabab

Ganga’s nutrition-packed Sunday brunch offerings change weekly, so there’s always something special to sample, such as these ‘hara bhara kabab,’ crispy patties of spinach & potatoes …

Khandvi

… ‘khandvi,’ scrolls made with gram flour & yoghurt, tasting like a cross between Italian fettuccine & Chinese chee cheong fun but lighter than both …

Salads & Fried Snacks

… trays of freshly prepared, crispy-colourful salads alongside fried fare that tastes healthier than the norm …

… onion-&-banana pakoras & fermented rice-&-chickpea batter dhoklas …

Aloo Methi & Palak Manchurian

… ‘aloo methi,’ potatoes with fenugreek leaves, & ‘palak manchurian,’ veggie fritters in creamy spinach gravy …

Dudhi Chana

… ‘dudhi chana,’ a mild squash curry with chickpeas …

Soup & Chutney

… a surprisingly spicy carrot-tomato soup, plus tamarind & mint chutneys …

Dal

… as well as dal galore, thick with chickpeas, & onion curry …

Bhatoora Bread

… paired nicely with the fluffiest ‘bhatoora’ bread …

Chapati

… & excellent for soaking up with an assortment of chapatis.

Side Dishes & Condiments

Magnificently hearty, making meat seem completely redundant for this one meal.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Have a grandparent or a young child with a fabulous appetite? The buffet costs only RM7 for anyone 3-11 years old or above 75.

Note that this all-you-can-eat spread is offered only on Sundays, 11am-3pm. At other times, Ganga serves an a la carte menu of fairly wide-ranging south Indian cuisine, including banana leaf rice.

Mohanthal

Finish up if there’s still stomach space with a fudgy sweet treat like ‘mohanthal,’ tinged with cardamom & sliced almonds.

Beverages

The buffet price includes a free flow of masala chai & Indian bru coffee, but it’s worth paying extra on a hot, humid afternoon to order Ganga’s non-alcoholic, refreshingly icy interpretations of the Margarita & Mojito; both taste as unexpectedly good as they can be without tequila & rum.