Spice Goa, Thivim, Goa (just off NH17) - A very special Goan lunch

This place was recommended in 2014 by my cousin Louis and specifically to try out the Prawns Biryani at Spice Goa. However, when on a short holiday, it gets difficult to plan anything in advance and then you never make it. During  my last trip to Goa, in April 2015, and the rush to have a biryani, I headed out with another of my cousin, Sandy who is also a foodie and a couple of friends, on our Quest to find Spice Goa.

It was relatively easy to find the place which is on the right side of National Highway 17, if you are heading north and about 200 meters after the Thivim junction on NH17. You need to turn right and get on to a small lane leading to the restaurant. The restaurant can be seen easily if you are on NH11 so you can miss it if you keep looking towards your right. 

We were quickly seated on the upper air-conditioned floor and started of with a few Kingfishers which were chilled perfectly. Infact we had to look at one another to admire the chill of the beer at the first sip and had a good acknowledging smile about it.

Ok now to the main focus which is the food. We first asked if the biryani was available which was nodded pleasantly by the waiter who was going to serve us that afternoon. Very cheerful chap, prompt and well versed with the dishes. A pity we didn’t get his name. We told him to ensure that we get our fix of Prawns biryani after we done with our appetizers and beers and asked him to recommend his best dishes. We were told to try the Prawns Grilled in Banana Leaves and the Erliyo (silver fish) Koshimbir. We also asked him if he had Kalwaan curry (Xacuti) to which he said they don’t have the curry but they had it Rawa fried. We decided to go for it and also decided to try out their reichad masala so ordered some bangda reichard to see if they pass the test. 

We were first served the Prawns Grilled in Banana Leaves and the Erliyo (silver fish) Koshimbir. Both these dishes were fantastic and in my opinion the best two dishes we had there. The prawns were neatly wrapped in Banana leaf and the green masala stuffing was just perfect..not too spicy and just balanced the sweetness of the prawns. 

The Erliyo (silver fish) Koshimbir was something unique and although I have had Koshimbir before, this was different. The fish was fresh, of good size and fried just enough not to overdo the soft tasty flesh. The fish was tossed in a mixture of fried onions, garlic chillies and the works. I would definitely go back for this,

The deep fried mussels too were very good, juicy and crunchy at the same time and had a good buttery taste in it. There are few restaurants that can really do it well and Spice Goa was one of them.

The mackerels were nice and plump and the reichard was ok. Have had better. 

One of  our friends tried out the thali and loved it. The King fish too was fried well but we were too stuffed and our main event, the prawns biryani was on its way

Finally it was time for the Prawns Biryani and which didn’t disappoint. The prawns were quite large and cooked just right. The Biryani was awesome, not too spicy and with enough flavours to give you that twang in your tongue. This was an extremely good biryani and even after eating so much, the taste of the biryani stood out. The next time will focus on a fewer items so that the biryani can be given its due respect.

This restaurant was the highlight of our trip and will definitely make it once I'm back. I highly recommend that you try it out during your trip to Goa.  

Potato Chops

Ingredients :

500 gms Potatoes
250 gms of mince (Beef/Lamb or chicken)
1 big onion (chopped finely)
2 medium tomatoes (chopped finely)
2 green chillies chopped finely
1" ginger chopped finely
7-8 garlic cloves chopped finely
1/4 bunch coriander leaves chopped finely
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3/4 tsp salt
4 tbsp Oil

Boil the potatoes in enough water with 1 tsp salt until tender.

Once cooled peel the skin and mash it well to make a smooth dough. Keep it aside.


To make the stuffing :

Heat oil in a pan, add the minced ginger, garlic & chillies. Fry till garlic browns.

Add the Onions , brown. Add the tomatoes, fry till all water gets evaporated.

Add the turmeric, fry for another minute.

Add the washed & strained mince. Add Salt, mix well.

Leave it on slow flame for 10 minutes to cook. Put off the flame & sprinkle chopped coriander leaves. Cool the mixture.


To make the chops :

Take handful of mashed potato in your palm, Make a ball and then flatten the ball with your fingers to create a curved disk shape. Put 2 tsp of the mince mixture in the center and bring the potatoes together.


Wet your palms and smoothen the outer covering.


Now dip this in 1 beaten egg then roll it in the breadcrumbs.



Take a frying pan, heat 6 tbsp oil. Shallow fry the potato chops on slow flame till golden brown.



Enjoy with green chutney or make a sandwich with potato chop & a slice of cheese & salad.

Chicken Vindaloo

1 Kg Chicken - skinned and cut into 15-16 pcs
7-8 Tbsp Oil
5 Medium Onions - chopped finely
1 Pkt Tomato Paste (you will get that red colour by adding tomato paste)
4 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 Tsp salt
4 cups of water
4 medium Potatoes (skinned, sliced into 4 pcs & Salted. Shallow fry in little oil and keep it aside.

Ingredients for Grinding the Masala :

12 Kashmiri Chillies
6 Garlic flakes
1 inch pc of Ginger
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric powder
1" piece of Cinnamon
5-6 cloves
5 peppers
small lemon size tamarind
4 tbsp vinegar

Grind the above to a fine paste with some water, keep it aside.

In a vessel add 6-7 tbsp oil, heat the oil, now add the chopped onions. Brown the onions on slow fire, now add the tomato paste and fry for another 5 minutes.

Add the ground masala and fry for another 3-4 minutes till it starts leaving oil.

Add the water and let it come to a boil.

Add the sugar and salt, add the chicken and now leave it on slow fire for 15-20 minutes till the chicken is tender. Add the Fried Potatoes.

Adjust the salt and sugar if you need more as per your taste.

Enjoy it with plain rice or pav.

Fish Kaldeen (Authentic Goan Fish Curry)

This is the authentic goan curry which I've been waiting to post.

Ingredients :

1 big Silver Pomfret(clean and wash, cut into thin slices) or any fish that you like

For grinding :

5 Tbsp Coconut Milk Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
10 Pepper Corns
1 Tbspblespoon Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
2 Flakes Garlic
Small Ball Tamarind
2 Cups Water

Grind the above ingredients into a smooth paste and keep it aside.


For Tempering

2 Onion thinly Sliced
1 Tomato Sliced
2 Tablespoons Oil
1/2 inch Ginger
2 - 3 Green Chillies sliced
Salt n Vinegar to Taste

Preparation Method

Take a vessel put oil. Once the oil is very hot add the chopped ginger fry it a bit then add the sliced onions, brown it. Add the tomatoes and fry it for another 1/2 a minute. Now add the smooth ground masala and fry for another minute.

To the above fried Masala add 2 cups of water or u can add/reduce water depending on the thickness of the curry you prefer. Once the curry boils add the slit green chillies, vinegar & salt as per taste. Now add the fish, let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Switch off the gas. Enjoy the yummy creamy kaldeen with plain white rice.

Homemade Goan Reichar Masala for Sale

250 gms Jar : 1.250 KD.

Call on 25664192 to place your order.

Reichardo Bangda (Mackrel)/

6 Big Mackrels (clean't, washed, Strained & slit it from the side)

Reichardo Masala

For grinding

12 Kashmiri Chillies ( 30 gms)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
10 black peppercorns
1 small onion (35 gms)
1/2 tsp turmeirc powder
1/2 inch ginger piece
10 garlic cloves  (30 gms)
1 small ball of tamarind
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1" cinnamon stick
5-6 cloves
1/4 cup vinegar

Put all the above ingredients  and leave it overnite to soak into the vinegar.

Grind the soaked mixture to a smooth paste.

Stuff the mackerels with  a mixture of finely chopped onions & recheirdo masala.

Shallow fry  the stuffed macakerels in  little oil till it is crisp & brown on both sides.

Goan Pork Sausages - My All Time Favourite

These sausages are unique to Goa and my all time favourite. They are absolutely delicious and can be eaten for breakfast lunch or dinner. The recipe below shows how to prepare the meat for future use. Once this is doen you can cook it by plain frying, broiling, or the way I like most with lots of chopped Onions. Yummilicious. 































They are found all over Goa but mostly the taste is similar wherever you eat it. However avoid the commercial ones as they are terrible. For The Recipe


For the sausage meat :

1 kg fatty pork (boneless)
½ cup Salt
1 tsp. Saltpetre
2 tbsps. Lemon juice


For the Spice Paste (do not use water)
25 Dry Red Chilies
1 tsp. Cummin Seeds
2 tsps. Peppercorns
10 Cloves
1 tsp. Turmeric
2 large pieces Cinnamon
40 gms. Ginger
40 gms. Garlic
Vinegar to grind the spices
6 tbsps. Palm feni (not to be used while grinding)


Wash the pork well. Remove the skin, cut into small cubes, apply half the salt and place in the basket. Keep heavy weight on the meat for 4 hours. Drain out all the water that collects around the meat and apply the remaining salt, saltpeter and lemon juice. Keep the meat again under weight for 24 to 48 hours, turning the meat after 12 hours. Sprinkle a little salt before keeping weight on the meat. Drain out any water that might be left, wipe the meat pieces with a clean dry cloth and keep it in the sun for a day. Mix the meat well with the spice paste adding the fenni a little at a time. Again keep this mixture in the sun for 2 days stirring it now and then with a wooden or plastic spoon.. Cool the meat and store in an air-tight jar. This will remain for months. Using a clean dry spoon, remove just enough sausage meat that is required at a time.

As mentioned above it could be plain fried, broiled or cooked with lots of onions. No need to add oil as the fat in the pork will take care of the cooking. A little water may be added to avoid initial burning.

The traditional way to store the meat is to take 2 meters approximately, of dried guts. Clean wash and dry thoroughly. Fill the sausage meat into the guts, 4 inches apart tying the space in between with strong thread. Sun dry for a couple of days.