Ragam

Ragam has been serving mainly Keralan dishes here since 1985. The dining room was absolutely packed at 7pm on a Tuesday in August, with tables being turned all around us. We arrived moments before our reservation was due, and the restaurant was completely packed, our table vacated by a couple who were just finishing. I am not sure how many sittings occur here but there must be a few each evening. Tables are small and densely packed, the wooden tables were in a condition that I could politely describe as distressed. 

Uthappam, a breakfast dish in India, is reminiscent of pizza, but made from a batter of fermented rice and lentils. This was topped with tomatoes, onions and chillies, and was more successful than the last version that I ate here (easily 13/20). Masala dosa was lovely, the pancake cone crisp, the filling of potatoes with spices generous. There was a good sambal on the side, as well as a pair of coconut-based chutneys (13/20).

Chillied cauliflower was, to be honest, rather soggy. It had a low level of spice, but the real problem was the texture of the overcooked cauliflower (10/20). Spinach and dhal had plenty of spinach flavour coming through, and the dhal had good texture (13/20). Lemon rice was fine. Methi chicken had plenty of fenugreek flavour but the meat was a little dried out (12/20). Kingfish was also dried out, which was a shame (11/20). By contrast, the paratha was very good, light and fluffy and flaky (13/20) 

Our waitress, Devika, was from Kerala and was very good, stretched at this busy service, but friendly and professional throughout. The bill came to £61 per person. Ragam is not trying to be at the culinary leading edge of anything, and it can be a little inconsistent, but the Keralan dishes are generally very good here.

Further reviews: 04th Feb 2025 | 31st May 2012