Scoring indian serving dishes in north america

April 15, 2007 8:52 AM

Where to purchase indian cookware and serving dishes in the USA? I want the lot: thalis, tawas, kadais, baltis. All of it!

Ever since I visisted Fiji (60% of population being indian) ten years ago I fell in love with Indian cuisine and have been cooking it regularly ever since. I've finally decided that it's time to pony up and secure myself some more authentic dishes and cookware. When I was in Fiji all the indian restaurants used stainless steel thalis and other serving dishes. I remember being able to purchase them everywhere for a pittance. However here in North America I can't seem to find them anywhere and the few places I've spotted the odd dish, they're pricing them as though they were exotic imports of the rarest kind. Anyone have any ideas as to good online sources in the USA or Canada? Bonus points for people who want to explain the uses of the different serving dishes and cookware. Cheers!

posted by Smegoid to food & drink (6 comments total)

Indian food takes great but it will stink up your house something aweful. See my previous question they deal with how to deal with the odor from cooking Indian food. However, if you live in Houston Tx there are many Desi (indian) store that carry all what you will need. But I suggest you cook using regular pots and pans. There is no difference, my mother had no problem using cookware from Khol's or Bed and Beyound. Its all the same. Can I have me bonus points now!
posted by Noodles at 9:03 AM on April 15, 2007

Your profile doesn't say where you live, but if you're in a major metropolitan area, chances are there is an Indian grocery somewhere. They often carry stuff besides food, like kitchen equipment (and incense, and music, and saris, etc - fun for browsing!). Look in the Yellow Pages for Indian foods or groceries. Otherwise, I guess you can buy anything online. Amazon probably has Indian kitchenware - they seem to have everything else under the sun.
posted by Quietgal at 9:29 AM on April 15, 2007

Thanks guys, currently studying in small US college town in the new hampshire but still go back to montreal often, I'll check the grocers there next time. As for Noodles, oh I'm well aware of the odor ;) Been cooking indian thrice weekly for years, but basically want to upgrade to the stainless steel indian chic that I so fondly remember from my times in Fiji. The tragedy is while I was there I had all the serving dishes at my fingertips for a dollar a piece, and now it would cost me 20$ for a single thali imported from the UK.
posted by Smegoid at 10:07 AM on April 15, 2007

Kalustyan's seems to have some stuff.

If you have the funds, take this as an opportunity to go to New York and visit Jackson Heights in Queens. I'm sure you'll be able to find anything you could possibly want there. Devon Avenue in Chicago is another Indian shopping paradise, but I don't know if any of the stores there do mailorder.
posted by craichead at 10:26 AM on April 15, 2007

I would think a thorough search among your local Indian grocers would yield cheaper dishes than online merchants can provide. So start calling around from this list. Thank me by making Ras Malai for everyone you know.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:50 AM on April 15, 2007

Dude, yeah, your local ethnic grocer. In this college town, I've got four within a half-hour bus ride. All have cookware. It can be a bit pricey, but 'tis what 'tis. But the one closest to my house has about five different kinds of tandoori stoneware, so I'd imagine yours'd be similar.
posted by klangklangston at 2:45 PM on April 15, 2007