Meet Chef Karan Gokani of Londons Hoppers in Bengaluru

Chef Karan Gokani is at present on a tour of South India, a area he loves and may be very acquainted with. As the person behind the favored London restaurant Hoppers, he’s recognized for Sri Lankan and South Indian delicacies. The restaurant has branches in Soho, Marlybone and King’s Cross and serves dosas, string hoppers, biryanis and varuvals. However, Karan’s new e-book Indian 101 focusses on accessible Indian recipes from all components of the nation. This Sunday, he heads to Bengaluru to launch the e-book at Katana, a Japanese izakaya by restaurateur Sandesh Reddy.

Decoding the flavours of India

While in Bengaluru, Karan is trying ahead to assembly followers and host e-book signings. At the occasion Sandesh and Karan can have a chat about Indian flavours and the way, lately there was a rise in curiosity about Indian delicacies overseas. Being a chef who’s the face of a distinct segment delicacies within the UK, Karan is in tune with tendencies and which method the currents will flip subsequent. And Sandesh being within the coronary heart of the business within the South, will share his insights from an Indian standpoint.

“I attempt to go to India yearly,“ says Karan. “I grew up in Mumbai and I’ve household there. And work takes me to Sri Lanka as a result of it’s a nation I’ve come to characterize. I’ve researched meals quite a bit within the south. I received married in Kerala. I haven’t explored Tamil Nadu and Karnataka an excessive amount of, so this journey is a kind of rediscovery.” In London he represents Sri Lankan delicacies, now he needs to do the identical with South India. “We really feel the time is correct and persons are curious. South India isn’t a broad brush anymore; every area is completely different. And our crowd in London is prepared for it.”

As we converse to them, Sandesh and Karan are in Chettinad to discover the area’s delicacies. The duo are eating at The Bangala, a heritage lodge fashionable for its genuine menu. Sandesh owns a number of eating places in Chennai comparable to Sandy’s, Oji Ramen, and Tokyo Diner. “I’m right here to be an unbiased information of South India, in order that the micro cuisines don’t get bunched collectively. I’m serving to Karan perceive the nuances,” he says. The journey started in Chennai, the place they dined on the town’s podi dosas, fish curry and paya. In Bengaluru Karan can’t wait to eat a correct benne dosa.

Catch the duo additionally talk about their love for cooking and particular recollections, and the whole lot meals this Sunday.

September 28, 4.30 PM. At Katana in Indiranagar. Limited seats obtainable, so e-book forward on 96863 48482

Mark your calendars for The Hindu Lit For Life on January 17 and 18, 2026 in Chennai. The Hindu’s annual literature competition brings collectively celebrated writers, thinkers and artists to debate books, politics and tradition. We may even be internet hosting Lit for Life Dialogues in Bengaluru on November 21 2025, and in Hyderabad on December 12, 2025.