Masalaz Restaurant
4218 – 66 Street
Edmonton, AB
(780) 484 – 0582
Hidden out of view from 66 Street, just a short distance south of Whitemud, is a fantastic restaurant serving both South Indian and Caribbean dishes. Curious as to what sparked the mixed menu – our server explained that many of the original Caribbean items stayed on the menu when the new owners took over.
With heavy Indian influence in Caribbean cuisine, many of the spices are similar but we were told that their Caribbean menu items differ mostly by the use of potatoes in the curries, and the use of cinnamon and cardamom in the spice mix.
The signage out front was highlighting the dosa, which is a rice flour crepe, and the idli pictured below as the white coloured, steamed cake of lentils and rice. Served with a bowl of sambar (vegetable stew), and a small dish of coconut chutney. I have made the trek to this restaurant just for this dish alone.
The dosa is perfectly crisp, and in this platter – wrapped around a scoop of spiced potatoes (similar to the filling found in their vegetable samosa). The coconut chutney is fantastic addition to the dosa, and even better when dipped or used to scoop out the sambar.
The idli carries a pleasant sour tone, due to the fermentation process it undergoes prior to being steamed, reminicent of sourdough bread – but with a slightly gritty texture. Anything which helps sop up this bowl of sambar – works for me!
If I am not mistaken, this platter is vegetarian friendly – for those who take this into consideration.
The samosa pictured here were also fantastic. Plenty of flavour, with enough spice-heat to make it interesting – without blowing out any taste-buds.
Flipping over to the page of Caribbean options, we ordered the Beef Curry. As noted earlier, containing plenty of potato with the chunks of beef to make for a hearty lunch. Above average for my heat-threshold, but was still very well balanced, providing a hearty beef flavour within the spicy curry mix.
Optional choice of rice or roti with each entree, we chose the latter.
In past visits, I have had the pleasure of enjoying the king fish, and other S.Indian curries – but yet to try their jerk chicken. I am sure it won’t be long before I am back to give this a try!

















