Journal
Stories from the kitchen, signature dishes, and our corner of Surbiton
More from the journal
Dishes
Lamb Shank Nihari: Surbiton's Slow-Cooked Mughlai Masterpiece
Twelve hours of slow cooking and more than twenty spices go into Koyal's signature Lamb Shank Nihari - a Mughlai dish with deep royal roots.
28 April 2026 · 5 min read
Dishes
Wild Tiger Prawns at Koyal Surbiton: A Coastal Indian Delicacy
Wild tiger prawns, kasundi mustard, and the heat of binchotan charcoal - a coastal Indian dish that has quickly become a signature at Koyal Surbiton.
20 April 2026 · 4 min read
Behind the Scenes
What is Binchotan? The Japanese Charcoal Powering Koyal's Tandoor
Binchotan is not just any charcoal. The Japanese white charcoal we use in our Surbiton tandoor changes how Indian food can taste at the highest level.
12 April 2026 · 5 min read
Menus & Experiences
Tasting Menu in Surbiton: A Journey Through Regional India
Seven courses, four regions, three centuries of cooking history - Koyal's tasting menu is the best way to understand what we do in Surbiton.
4 April 2026 · 6 min read
Menus & Experiences
Best Lunch in Surbiton: Inside Koyal's £20 Set Menu
Three courses of regional Indian cooking for £20 - Koyal's lunch set menu has become Surbiton's worst-kept midweek secret.
26 March 2026 · 4 min read
Menus & Experiences
Vegan Indian Food in Surbiton: Plant-Based Dishes at Koyal
Vegan Indian food in Surbiton, done properly - no afterthought dishes, no boring substitutions. Just plant-based cooking the way it was always meant to be.
18 March 2026 · 4 min read
Local Guides
Where to Eat Authentic Indian Food in Surrey: A Guide to Koyal
Surrey has its share of curry houses, but authentic regional Indian food is harder to come by. Koyal in Surbiton is the rare exception.
10 March 2026 · 5 min read
Dishes
Quail and Duck Seekh Kebab: Behind Koyal's Signature Starter
Two birds, one skewer, and a binchotan grill - the story behind one of Koyal's most-ordered dishes in Surbiton.
2 March 2026 · 4 min read
Dishes
Masala Chai Brûlée: An Indian Twist on a French Classic
Take a classic French crème brûlée, infuse the custard with Indian spiced tea, and you get one of Koyal's most ordered desserts.
22 February 2026 · 4 min read
Local Guides
Where to Find the Best Tandoori in Surrey
Most Surrey restaurants run a basic tandoor. Koyal runs a binchotan-fired one - and the difference is on every plate.
14 February 2026 · 5 min read
Occasions
Private Dining in Surbiton: Hosting Special Events at Koyal
Koyal's private dining room in Surbiton seats up to 20 guests - a dedicated, candlelit space for milestone dinners, business hosting, and small celebrations.
6 February 2026 · 5 min read
Behind the Scenes
2 AA Rosettes Explained: Why Koyal Earned Both 2025 and 2026
Two AA Rosettes in two consecutive years - here is what the award actually means, how it is judged, and why Koyal Surbiton is one of very few Indian restaurants to hold it.
28 January 2026 · 5 min read
Behind the Scenes
Chef Nand Kishor Semwal: From the Himalayas to Surbiton
A village in the Himalayan foothills, fifteen years in Michelin-starred London kitchens, and now Surbiton - the story behind Koyal's head chef.
18 January 2026 · 6 min read
Local Guides
Indian Fine Dining Near Kingston upon Thames
Kingston has plenty of restaurants, but Indian fine dining is harder to find. Koyal Surbiton, five minutes from Kingston, is the nearest serious option.
10 January 2026 · 4 min read
Occasions
Best Date Night Restaurant in Surbiton
Candlelit room, a seven-course tasting menu, a sommelier-built wine list - Koyal Surbiton has quietly become the area's best date night restaurant.
30 December 2025 · 4 min read
Dishes
Bhangjeera Chicken: A Himalayan Specialty Unique to Koyal
Perilla seeds from the Himalayas, slow-cooked chicken thighs, and a recipe that traces back to Chef Nand Kishor's home village in Uttarakhand.
18 December 2025 · 4 min read
Menus & Experiences
Indian Cocktail and Wine Pairings at Koyal Surbiton
Indian food and wine pairings are widely misunderstood. Here is how Koyal's sommelier thinks about it - and the bottles that actually work.
8 December 2025 · 5 min read
Occasions
Birthday Dinners in Surbiton: Celebrate at Koyal
Milestone birthday, a quiet dinner for ten, or a private room for thirty - Koyal Surbiton handles every scale of birthday with the same care.
28 November 2025 · 4 min read
Dishes
Muntjac Dum Biryani: The Most Unique Biryani in Surrey
Wild muntjac deer, basmati rice, saffron, and the traditional dum-cooking technique - this is not a biryani you will find anywhere else in Surrey.
18 November 2025 · 5 min read