Parantha Gali Of Deoghar And The Legend Of Luchchu Shah

On way to Parantha Gali

Day One : The Rest

Pappu Ji Paranthawale

Pappuji Menu

We reached the place around 7 PM and found the shop closed. The panwala opposite the shop told us it remains open throughout the week from 6PM – 10 PM. But that day the owner was not well. So we decided to try out few other shops and return the next day for the main attraction. There were four more outlets and we finalised two of them. The first one “Pappu Ji Paranthawale” is right on the four point crossing. The only type of Parantha they had was the mixed one with sattu, gobi and alu. What was served to us was just OK and the filling was not enough. The next shop “Shree Ram Bhojnalay” had three types of paranthas. Alu, Sattu and the mixed one with alu, gobi and sattu together. Here too, like the last shop, the paranthas were served along with mixed pickles, mixed veg sabji and mustard paste. We tried all three types and they were better than the last shop, though only marginally. The filling here was tastier, but again not enough. At both the places you can buy dahi separately if you want to.

Mixed Parantha at Shree Ram Bhojnalay

Shree Ram Bhojnalay Menu

Day Two : The Best

After eating from the two shops, to be honest, we were not expecting much. But still the next day we reached Parantha Gali around 8PM. The shop has no sign boards. From the street you will first have to climb two / three steps to reach a landing where people are standing eagerly outside the door. Inside is a small room where on one side paranthas are being cooked while the elderly people in the queue are sitting on the other end. This place is takeaway only and you will get only the paranthas. No sabji, no pickles, no dahi.

The nondescript shop of Luchchu Shah

Luchchu Shah’s Grandson Karu

There were five people on queue and one of them told me – “Order deke wait kijiye.” (Place your order and wait).

I was afraid by the time we reach our hotel and start eating, the food will get cold and we wont be able to enjoy the real taste. However I placed my order of two Aloo Paranthas and started talking with the others who were waiting.

This parantha shop is the oldest in the area and according to the locals the other shops are just trying to use its popularity. They are succeeding only because Luchchu Shah’s shop has always been a takeaway place and for that reason mainly popular among the locals. The tourists prefer a proper sit-down arrangement and accompaniments, both of which they wont be getting here.

– “Baithke khaneka bohut jaga hai, par achchha khana hai to yehi ana parega”, (There are lots of places where you can sit and eat, but for the best you will have to come here) said an elderly man who just received his food and was happily leaving the shop.
– “I was waiting for the last 40 min for this. But its really worth the wait.” he concluded with a big smile.

Luchchu Shah

– “Lijiye, apka order.” (your order is ready) I was not expecting this to be told to me so quickly and initially thought it was for someone else. Then I felt bad that the shop owner broke the queue for me. But then I saw everyone looking at me with a smile.

– “Ekbar khaiega to ana parega barbar.” (If you have it once you will have to return for more) said one of them and I realized how close to their heart this shop is and how proud they feel promoting it to an outsider. I thanked them and rushed back to our hotel hoping the food remains hot.

We opened the paper container, which soaked the extra oil and made the paranthas look better, took one bite and instantly understood why it is so famous. The quantity of filling was good but what made the difference was its taste. They used ajwain (carom seeds) and pickle (maybe something else too) and it was absolutely awesome. The crispy outside and the spicy filling made it one of the best paranthas I had. We were already feeling sad that it was our last day in Deoghar.

The Best Among The Rest

Hotel Sindh Menu

If takeaway is not possible and you are looking for a proper sit-down arrangement its better to avoid the parantha gali. Instead try Hotel Sindh bang on Tower Chowk. Standing in front of the tower if you look towards the road approaching the temple, the restaurant will be just a few steps ahead on your left.

Food here is tasty and it’s much cleaner than the Parantha Gali restaurants. We tried both the Alu and the Gobi paranthas here and both, though not as good as Luchchu Shah, were much better than the other shops. The specialty here is the fat filling. Generous amount of tasty alu and gobi and what else can we ask for! This is a must try if take-away is not possible for you. Quality of paneer dishes here was also excellent.

Gobi Parantha at Hotel Sindh