Latest news with #Jhol
The Star
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Jhol KL offers fabulous coastal Indian cuisine by celebrity chef Hari Nayak
Growing up in Udupi in south India, celebrated chef Hari Nayak says a love of food ran through his veins from his childhood – a familial trait he probably shares with his grandfather, who once ran a restaurant in Udupi. 'My grandfather was a restaurateur. My father did not continue that business, but growing up I would hear a lot of stories about how my father grew up in this restaurant world and the amazing Udupi food they served,' says Hari, a humble, eloquent man. As a young adult, he went to a hospitality school in India and worked for a spell at Bukhara, a celebrated Indian restaurant in New Delhi. Then, he moved to the United States where he learnt culinary arts at the renowned Culinary Institute of America. 'Honestly during that time, I was like 'Oh, I'm going to get out of Indian cuisine and go to the West and learn everything about Western food'. I was trying to run away from Indian food, technically. 'And I think that's because my first experience in an Indian kitchen was not the best – I was given 50kg of onions to peel! 'The old-school Indian chefs were not really teachers – they would hide the recipes, whereas in the West, they welcome you and teach you,' he says. Hari is a celebrated chef and author who opened Jhol KL in tribute to coastal Indian cuisine. Yet Hari's Indian roots proved strong because despite having worked with top chefs in the US like Daniel Boulud and Marcus Samuelsson, he began re-examining Indian food through a new lens. This eventually birthed his first cookbook, Modern Indian Cooking – which was considered ground-breaking during its time. 'Back then there were only a few chefs in London who were kind of into this modern cooking world. And for me, working in a French kitchen, I think it naturally kind of helped me think differently. So the book was all about how to use Indian traditional flavours with Western cooking techniques,' he says. Now 25 years into his career, Hari has come full circle and no longer believes Indian food needs to be adapted, modernised or messed around with. 'As I've matured as a chef, I've realised Indian cooking does not need reinvention. Of course, when you present traditional food, you want to give something different, but I think that can be done without diluting the essence and the Indian-ness of the recipe,' he says. Over the course of his career, Hari has opened a string of restaurants all over the world, including Sona in New York, which was a huge hit when it launched a few years back, in collaboration with Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas. The eatery has since shuttered. The restaurant combines elegance with a casual charm. — Jhol KL His most recent restaurant is Jhol in Kuala Lumpur – a beautiful space that is sophisticated and yet very, very charming. The restaurant – which opened in partnership with Clifftop Group Asia – is a representation of the original Jhol outlet, which opened in Bangkok, Thailand in 2020 and has been hugely popular since. At Jhol KL, you can expect to feast on coastal Indian cuisine from Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashta, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal and Goa. Coastal Indian cuisine is typified by spices like mustard seeds and fenugreek; the liberal use of coconut; a focus on seafood; rice as a binding agent; and the use of ingredients such as mangoes, kokum and curry leaves. The menu at Jhol has traditional roots but isn't entirely traditional. In fact, you will find thoughtful, calibrated touches that add uniqueness and a point of differentiation to a meal here. At the moment, the a la carte menu hasn't rolled out yet, so Malaysian diners will only be able to sample The Culinary Journey tasting menu, priced at RM310+ per person. The trio of snacks that prologue the meal offer texture, flavour and contrast in one fell swoop. — Photos: Jhol KL Highlights from the menu include the trio of snacks that form the prologue of the meal, like the Calicut Pepper Crab. Framed as crab on toast with a garlic-yoghurt infused pachadi to break through the barriers, this is a peppery, aquatic flavour bomb that forms the basis for instant addiction. One of the signature items at Jhol is the Masala Muska Bun (add RM45+). The buns are fashioned after Bangalore's famed Iyengar Bakery's potato masala buns. The masala muska bun is a thing of beauty that forms a successful union with the curry leaf butter provided on the side. — ABIRAMI DURAI/The Star In Jhol's iteration, a potato bun is stuffed with a masala-decked interior, with pav bhaji butter and curry leaf butter served alongside. The bread is a golden goddess that is meant to be pulled apart. This doughy delight is incredibly fluffy and soft as a cloud, with the masala gilding its inner core like a fiery, spirited vixen. Of the butters on offer, the curry leaf butter is sensationally good, yielding herbaceous, oleaginous roots that have sprouted and flowered into the flavours so familiar in the Indian sub- continent, yet couched in an entirely original configuration. Perhaps one of the most memorable offerings on the menu is BFC or Berhampur fried chicken with Jhol hot sauce. Crunchy, crackly and insanely juicy, this is the fried chicken of your dreams. — ABIRAMI DURAI/The Star The chicken wings here are deboned, cooked and piped in again, then coated in a spice-riddled tempura batter and double-fried and served alongside a chutney. The result is chicken that is oh-so satisfyingly crackly and crispy to the touch, eliciting crunch with every morsel and yielding to juicy, tender meat within. It's the sort of fried chicken befitting emperors and kings. The Surti Anda Ghotala is essentially chilli cheese toast with shaved truffle. The dish hails from Gujarat, where it is a popular street food essential. In this variation of the dish, toast is added to the egg-and-cheese mixture and truffles are heaped atop for added opulence. Created in tribute to a Gujarati street food staple, the chilli cheese toast with truffles cleverly fuses tradition with innovation. The eggs are creamy and jiggly while the masala in the mixture offers spicy nuances to what would otherwise simply be eggs on toast. It's an unpretentious homage to tradition that kicks things up a notch with the evergreen allure of truffles. The next series of dishes are served sharing-style, replicating the comforts of a traditional Indian meal. Of what's on offer, the Kundapura Ghee Roast Chicken served with a cone-shaped dosa and coconut chutney is an immediate scene-stealer. The chicken is slow cooked with red chilli and ghee and is a spicy, masala-riddled offering. Mop up the goodness of the chicken with the dosa, which is firm yet succumbs to a yeasty interior that is instantly alluring. End the savoury part of your meal with the Alleppey Fish Curry, served with kappa (a traditional Kerala-style tapioca dish) and matta rice (a popular Indian rice known for its health benefits). The Alleppey fish curry features fish and green mangoes swimming in a rich, creamy gravy. — Jhol KL The fish curry is cooked with green mango, which is what gives it a slight tanginess amidst its creamy richness. The kappa is also very, very good - starchy, sticky and flavourful while the rice is the perfect receptacle to soak up all these diverse flavours. Dessert takes the form of the Tender Coconut Payasam with jaggery sesame snap and mango sorbet. Here, coconut, jaggery and mango form the cornerstones of this sweet seductress, which is soothing and yet somehow euphoric all at once. Ultimately, Hari says he hopes Jhol KL will be a landmark restaurant for refined Indian flavours that are familiar and yet take diners on a journey through brand new terrain. 'I always believe that I want to create dishes that my family would enjoy. And if I see myself eating here twice a month myself, then I feel like that's the kind of restaurant menu I want to create,' he says. Address: The Met Corporate Tower, Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur Open daily: noon to 2.30pm; 6pm to 10.30pm
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Spotify India, OTT platforms pull Pakistani music after Indian government ban
The directive's impact is not limited to audio content. Pakistani actors are now being digitally erased from promotional material on Indian platforms. PHOTO: PEXELS Listen to article Pakistani music has started vanishing from Indian streaming platforms, with Spotify among the first to act on a government advisory issued earlier this month. Tracks such as Maand, Jhol, and Faasle disappeared from Spotify India in the hours following the order, according to NDTV. The move, which began taking effect on Wednesday night, follows an official directive from India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 8 May, calling for the removal of all Pakistani content from digital media. The advisory, issued under India's Information Technology Rules, urged all OTT platforms, digital streaming services, and online intermediaries to take down Pakistani-origin web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other media. The ministry cited national security, sovereignty, and public order as grounds for the sweeping content ban. The crackdown comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad has rejected the allegation, calling for an impartial investigation. Although both sides have since agreed to a ceasefire, the ban remains in place. The directive's impact is not limited to audio content. Pakistani actors are now being digitally erased from promotional material on Indian platforms. Actress Mawra Hocane has been removed from the cover art of Sanam Teri Kasam on Spotify and YouTube Music, leaving only her Indian co-star Harshvardhan Rane. Similarly, Mahira Khan has disappeared from Raees' posters, while the song Buddhu Sa Mann from Kapoor & Sons, which featured Fawad Khan, is now inaccessible to Indian users. This marks one of the most far-reaching cultural crackdowns in the region's recent history. While political tensions have often strained artistic ties between the neighbours, the shared musical heritage—spanning genres like ghazals, qawwalis, and contemporary pop—had until now largely remained intact. Pakistani icons such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Nazia Hassan, and Atif Aslam have historically enjoyed immense popularity across India, their work forming a vital part of the country's musical landscape. Ironically, critics point out that even as Pakistani originals are scrubbed from platforms, Bollywood continues to churn out remakes of many of these very songs—raising questions about cultural ownership and censorship in an era of digital media.
India Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Pakistani songs pulled down from Spotify after Indian government advisory
On Wednesday, May 14, Pakistani songs were taken down from Spotify in response to a government advisory. Popular tracks like 'Maand', 'Jhol', 'Faasle', and others are no longer available on the May 8, the Government of India issued an advisory instructing all OTT platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries to remove web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other media content originating from advisory was issued under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It reminded publishers and intermediaries of their responsibility to ensure that hosted or streamed content does not compromise India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public ministry highlighted that numerous terror attacks in India have had cross-border connections involving both state and non-state actors from Pakistan. Citing the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of several Indian citizens and one Nepali national, the government emphasised that the advisory was issued in the interest of safeguarding national security."OTT platforms, media streaming platforms, and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having their origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory Pakistani actors Mawra Hocane and Mahira Khan's images were removed from the posters for their films 'Sanam Teri Kasam' and 'Raees'.
NDTV
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
All Pakistani Songs Removed From Spotify After Government Advisory
New Delhi: Pakistani songs were removed from Spotify on Wednesday night following a government advisory. Popular tracks such as Maand, Jhol, Faasle and others have disappeared from the platform. The move comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor and the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. On May 8, the Government of India issued an advisory directing all OTT platforms, media streaming services and digital intermediaries to discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts and other media content originating from Pakistan. The advisory was issued under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It reminds publishers and intermediaries of their obligation to "ensure that content hosted or streamed does not threaten India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public order." The Ministry noted that several terrorist attacks in India have had cross-border links with state and non-state actors in Pakistan. Citing the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which led to the deaths of several Indian citizens and one Nepali national, the government stated that the advisory is being issued in the interest of national security. The Code of Ethics under the IT Rules states that "publishers must exercise due caution and discretion while publishing any content that could affect India's sovereignty, security, public order, or friendly relations with foreign countries." "OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having their origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory read. In line with this, changes were also noticed across various music platforms. Pakistani actors have been removed from the posters of their Hindi films. On Monday, Mawra Hocane's image was missing from the Sanam Teri Kasam album covers on Spotify and YouTube Music, with only Harshvardhan Rane appearing in the artwork. A similar edit was made to the album cover of Shah Rukh Khan's Raees, where Mahira Khan's image was removed. The updated poster now shows Shah Rukh Khan alone. The song Buddhu Sa Mann from Kapoor & Sons, which featured Fawad Khan along with Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, is currently unavailable on YouTube in India. The message displayed says, "Video unavailable. The uploader has not made this video available in your country." The song was posted by Sony Music India, and its poster on music apps has also been altered to remove Fawad Khan. Responding to the changes, Sanam Teri Kasam producer Deepak Mukut told Hindustan Times, "They didn't ask me, it's their decision. Whatever our government says, everyone has to follow."
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Top 10 Pakistani songs that took over India's soul: Jhol, Pasoori, Kahani Suno, and more
If there is one thing that our generation will agree on, it is that music does not need a passport. Pakistani artists have been absolutely serving when it comes to creating soul-stirring, viral-worthy tracks that Indians simply cannot get enough of. Music without borders: Pakistani tracks that took over India Whether it is your sad girl era kicking in at 2AM or blasting bangers at a sangeet, Pakistani songs have somehow become the backbone of our playlists, and honestly, we are not even mad about it. Let us get into the ultimate list of Pakistani songs that lowkey conquered India — some even more than Bollywood tracks! 1. Jhol Maanu and Annural Khalid came out of nowhere with Jhol and quite literally rocked the indie scene. Its upbeat tempo mixed with insanely relatable lyrics made it an instant vibe for Indian listeners. Suddenly, everyone had Jhol on repeat while pretending they were in a coming-of-age movie montage. 2. Baari When Bilal Saeed and Momina Mustehsan dropped Baari, it felt like love letters were trending again. The song's calming melody, mashed up with soft Punjabi folk vibes, made it a staple at Indian weddings and late-night playlists. Indian fans could not help but swoon over its soft, romantic energy. 3. Tera Mera Hai Pyar Amar Straight from the drama Ishq Murshid, Tera Mera Hai Pyar Amar hit Indian audiences right in the feels. With its emotional lyrics and dreamy melody, it quickly found a home in Indian hearts that are forever ready to romanticise every minor inconvenience. 4. Mere Humsafar Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch's Mere Humsafar is THAT song you play when you want to cry dramatically while staring out of a moving car window. Her rich vocals, coupled with the haunting tune, made Indians fall hopelessly in love with heartbreak all over again. 5. Chal Diye Tum Kahan Nobody — and we mean nobody — does longing like Atif Aslam. Chal Diye Tum Kahan became the anthem for separation and 'I miss you' texts that never get sent. Indian fans, who have been Atif stans since Aadat days, were obsessed with his flawless delivery and emotional depth. 6. Pasoori Ali Sethi and Shae Gill changed the game with Pasoori. This masterpiece blended traditional and contemporary sounds so effortlessly that it went beyond being just a song — it became a cultural moment. Indian audiences latched onto its funky beat and spicy vocals faster than you could say 'borderless bop.' 7. Kahani Suno 2.0 Kaifi Khalil really said, 'Let us all cry together,' and Indians listened. Kahani Suno 2.0 became the sadboi/sadgirl anthem of this generation, finding its way onto every mood playlist. Its soul-baring lyrics and emotional tsunami of a melody made it a massive hit across India. 8. Tu Hai Kahan Azaan Sami Khan entered the chat with Tu Hai Kahan and suddenly, everyone wanted to confess their undying love. Its modern sound and heartfelt longing made it a no-brainer for every Indian romantic who still believes in serendipity and fairy-tale endings. 9. Aadat Let us be real — Aadat by Atif Aslam practically raised an entire generation. If you have not cried to this during a college fest or belted it out during a late-night drive, are you even living? Indian fans made Aadat a cult classic that still refuses to leave our hearts (and playlists). 10. Ijazat (Ve Jaan Waleya) Falak Shabir's Ijazat had Indians simping hard, but when Nehal Naseem dropped her version in 2023, it was game over. Her fresh, emotional spin on the song hooked Indian audiences all over again, proving that when it comes to feels, there is no such thing as 'too much.' Pakistani artists have this magical ability to pour heartbreak, love, nostalgia, and hope into their songs — and Indian fans simply cannot resist. Whether it is belting out Pasoori in the shower or ugly crying to Kahani Suno, these songs have solidified their place as absolute superhits in India.
