The World in NYC: India

Like the old saying goes, “You can take an Indian out of India, but never India out of the Indian.” For those new to New York and hankering for a taste of the motherland and all the goodies she offers, the city is a treasure trove of all things Indian or desi. With a large South Asian population in town, you are never too far away from a good hot plate of Biryani rice, some amazing naan bread or the latest bopping Bollywood movie.The first wave of Indian immigrants came to America in the early 1960’s and quickly settled in several parts of the West Coast and New York City. Today, with approximately 200,000 Indian Americans spread across New York City, according to the 2010 census, the Big Apple is home to the largest metropolitan settlement of Indian Americans anywhere in the country.While South Asian professionals in the city, including Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis tend to be scattered across NYC these days, there is a large and vibrant desi population in the borough of Queens – most notably in Jackson Heights. And for anyone, looking to get their desi fix, that’s the number one go-to spot.

Jackson Heights Desi Fix

Much like Chinatown in lower Manhattan, Jackson Heights in Queens offers visitors a 360-degree South Asian experience. With a large collection of shops offering Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi groceries and clothing – you can expect to buy anything from saris to samosas and subji (produce) all within a one mile radius.To get to Jackson Heights, hop on the 7 train at Times Square and in less than half an hour, you will be transported to mini-India at 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue. Located just a few minutes away from Manhattan, Jackson Heights, in the early part of the 20th century, was billed as the new “Park Avenue” where residents could live in luxurious co-ops away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.These days, however, hustle and bustle is synonymous with this area of Queens as tiny ethnic shops dot Roosevelt Avenue and the 7 train clatters noisily on an overhead line.Where to get groceries: If you’re looking for groceries, you can’t help but shop at Patel Brothers – one of the largest Indian specialty markets in New York City. Located on the main shopping strip at 37-27 74th Street, Patel Brothers is a virtual Wal Mart of spices. You can buy vegetables commonly used in Indian cooking, utensils, lentils and snacks including Parle G biscuits and Maggi, among many other things. Shoppers can also stock up on Dosa (savory crepe) batter and frozen paranthas. In the summer, the supermarket is also one of the very few places in the city that stocks the delectable and expensive Indian Alfonso mango. Other places to pick up groceries in the area include Apna Bazar down the same street and the new Jackson Heights Food Court which also sells Bangladeshi and Pakistani spices.Where to eat: If all this grocery shopping is making you hungry, Jackson Heights is teeming with authentic Indian food. The main shopping strip on 74th Street offers several restaurant options including Delhi Heights and Jackson Diner, among others.

While most of the restaurants offer buffet lunches starting at $10 on weekends, you can also grab a quick snack on the go. Try the samosa chaat at Rajbhog Sweets, amazing kulfis (homemade ice cream) at Maharaja Sweets, and for the best home-made alu and onion parathas, drop by Raja Sweets and Foods on 73rd Street and 37th Road and watch the cooks rustle up delicious rotis right before your eyes.

Where to shop:While Jackson Heights is a South Asian food lovers paradise, it’s also a great place to buy traditional Indian wear including saris, bridal wear, tunics and accessories.Indian Sari Palace at 37-07 74th Street has a large collection of casual and dressy saris and is very popular not just among Indians but also Bangladeshi customers who buy chiffon saris in bulk for relatives back home. Other popular stores include Perfection Bridal at 37-23 74th Street and JMD Mall at 74-22 37 Avenue. Most of the sari shops also stock accessories including necklaces, bangles and bracelets, so there is no need now to lug all that stuff back from India the next time you travel abroad. Check in during traditional Indian festivals like Diwali and Ramazan for discounts and deals on most goods.

Curry Hill

If you don’t want to make the trek all the way to Queens, then Manhattan is also home to its own mini-India in Murray Hill. Located on Lexington Avenue on the East side of New York in the upper 20’s, a strip of fantastic Indian restaurants has lead to its nickname “Curry Hill.”For lovers of South Indian cuisine, Saravana Bhavan restaurant is like manna from heaven. With delectable soft fluffy idlis (rice cakes), masala dosas (crepe with potato filling) and a whole range of South Indian food, this eatery offers something for everyone. Get there early on weekends, as it tends to fill up fast. Other options in the area include the wallet friendly Tiffin Wallah. Vegetarian and kosher, the little restaurant also serves authentic South Indian Cuisine and standard Indian fare including naan breads and other curries. Don’t miss out on its fantastic Baigan Bharta (curried eggplant) and Vegetable Koftas (croquette in curry).Tired of all the eating and the shopping and just want to sink into a movie theater to enjoy your Bollywood fix? Manhattan offers some places where you can catch up with the latest Hindi movies that have just been released in India. Big Cinemas Manhattan on East 59 Street offers a clean, cute movie hall that plays the latest movies as you chow down on samosas. AMC Empire 25 on West 42nd Street and AMC Lowes Village 7 are some other places where you can catch the latest Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif starrers.

Indian Culture

 For those disinclined to bop with Bollywood, New York City also plays host to several Indian art and culture venues. Learn to speak Hindi or brush up on your skills at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which is also home to regular dance and music recitals by visiting and local artists. Asia Society on the Upper East Side also regularly hosts talks and exhibits from around Asia including China and Pakistan.  Check with the website for regular updates on the schedule.If you miss India’s many vibrant festivals, you’ll have a chance to participate in all the pomp and pageantry via the tight knit community in Queens. From Holi to Diwali to Krishna Janmashtami, many community centers and temples in the borough hold special religious rituals and lunches as part of the celebrations. Hundreds of Indians from the sub-continent and the Caribbean gather regularly to toast the culture’s myriad gods and celebrate the country’s rich heritage. For a comprehensive list of Indian festivals and attendant celebrations, go to www.nyindia.us/events.html

MeetUps

And finally if you’re looking to meet new Indian friends in the city or just looking to expand your existing circle, Meetup.com offers several activity groups. From exploring museums to celebrating Indian festivals like Holi and Diwali, Meetup offers a great way to celebrate all things desi in the Big Apple!