Sambal Express Barkingside
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Quick info
About Sambal Express Barkingside
Sambal Express Barkingside is a Sri Lankan and South Indian takeaway at 71 High St in Ilford, selling both chilled ready-to-eat meals and frozen meals. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is labelled and kept apart, so each can be picked out clearly. The range runs from kottu and stringhoppers to samosas and mutton rolls, with idli, sambar and vadai among the South Indian items. A set meal pairs a choice of rice style with two vegetable curries and an extra meat curry. The food is cooked in a homemade style.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention kottu, idli and sambar, meat samosas and set meal with curries.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention kottu, idli and sambar, meat samosas and set meal with curries.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers mainly praise the homemade-tasting Sri Lankan and South Indian takeaway food, especially the curries, kottu and short eats, which several call fresh, well spiced and affordable. Meat samosas, parippu wade, ulundu wade and freshly made string hoppers are named alongside soft idlis. The staff are described as friendly, kind and quick, and one returning reviewer says service has improved since an earlier disappointing visit. Portions divide opinion. One calls them generous, while another finds the idlis and sambar tasty but very small. The sharpest complaint comes from a reviewer who says the samosas and mutton rolls tasted like the day before and the idiyapam was dry. Others note that fried seafood costs more than the rest, and one vegetarian regular would like halal certification displayed for the chicken and mutton. Diners also describe a set meal where rice is paired with two vegetable curries and an extra meat curry, and one says the vadda with spinach never disappoints.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers mainly praise the homemade-tasting Sri Lankan and South Indian takeaway food, especially the curries, kottu and short eats, which several call fresh, well spiced and affordable. Meat samosas, parippu wade, ulundu wade and freshly made string hoppers are named alongside soft idlis. The staff are described as friendly, kind and quick, and one returning reviewer says service has improved since an earlier disappointing visit. Portions divide opinion. One calls them generous, while another finds the idlis and sambar tasty but very small. The sharpest complaint comes from a reviewer who says the samosas and mutton rolls tasted like the day before and the idiyapam was dry. Others note that fried seafood costs more than the rest, and one vegetarian regular would like halal certification displayed for the chicken and mutton. Diners also describe a set meal where rice is paired with two vegetable curries and an extra meat curry, and one says the vadda with spinach never disappoints.
Featured reviews
- Chris Hew
“Sample Express in Barkingside is easily one of the best Sri Lankan takeaways in the area. The food is full of authentic flavour and tastes just like proper homemade Sri Lankan cooking. The kottu, curries and short eats are always fresh, well spiced and generously portioned. The service is friendly and the food is consistently good every time I visit. If you are looking for genuine Sri Lankan takeaway around Barkingside, this is definitely the place to try. Highly recommended.”
- SHANTHI Sab
“The food taste like old food. It looks like from the day before. But they selling it like fresh. Specially samosas and mutton rolls. The idiyapam is dry and not fluffy. People buy from Sambol if they don't have time to cook. Otherwise is a waste of money.”
- Gx Hooper
“I am writing this review as I previously gave a disappointing review and after a year I wanted to give it a try and went there after a year and would like to say the services have improved and staffs are very good patient and professional and ready to listen to details while serving and now I am very happy and if you want to try nice homemade and cheap food this is the place 😊😊.”
- Uday Rau
“Its a takeaway not a restaurant. The food quality is excellent Sri Lankan food and prices are reasonable, except fried seafood which tend to be on the higher side.”
- Jobin Alex
“Best place to go for sound Indian and srilankan snacking items and quick foods. The rates are very much affordable and is the best option for bachelors and families too. Tastes good and will definitely be visiting again.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Sambal Express Barkingside - A Taste of South India & Sri Lanka Craving fresh, flavourful South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine? Look no further than [Business Name]! We offer a delightful selection of both ready-to-eat chilled dishes and convenient frozen meals, all prepared with authentic ingredients and bursting with taste. Here's what sets us apart: Fresh & Chilled Meals: Enjoy a variety of curries, rice dishes, and savory snacks prepared daily with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Perfect for a quick and delicious lunch or dinner. Frozen Favorited: Stock your freezer with our convenient frozen meals, featuring traditional South Indian and Sri Lankan specialities. Enjoy a taste of our culture whenever you crave it.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
Location
Restaurants near Sambal Express Barkingside
- Spice Restaurant4.54010.1 mi£15–30Good for kidsReservations
on-time delivery and takeaway, rude phone complaint handling, biryani and chicken tikka
- 0.1 mi£1–10Good for kids
doner, naga wings, curries
- HI-TIDE4.12370.1 mi£15–30Good for kidsReservations
small chip portions, haddock and cod fish and chips, mushy peas
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambal Express Barkingside | 4.3476 | — | — | kottu, idli and sambar, meat samosas |
| Spice RestaurantGood for kids · Reservations | 4.5401 | 0.1 mi | £15–30 | on-time delivery and takeaway, rude phone complaint handling, biryani and chicken tikka |
| Spice Hut Barkingside High StreetGood for kids | 3.8165 | 0.1 mi | £1–10 | doner, naga wings, curries |
| HI-TIDEGood for kids · Reservations | 4.1237 | 0.1 mi | £15–30 | small chip portions, haddock and cod fish and chips, mushy peas |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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