After trying the culinary abortion that was McDonalds India and seeing that Burger King and KFC were not much better I decided to give Singh Burger a try.
Marketed as a Punjabi Burger I had thought they might have a lamb offering (they did not), so decided to try this national burger chain if nothing else for lack of a better idea! And the result? Well 6-7 at best….
Table of Contents
What the Singh Burger
Singh Burger is an Indian fast-food chain that started in Punjab in the early 2000s, aiming to offer a desi twist on Western-style burgers. Over the years it has expanded to over 50 outlets across North India, with stores in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Kolkata. The chain is marketed as a Punjabi alternative to McDonalds and Burger King, although the menu is dominated by chicken rather than lamb. Some outlets also serve momos and other regional snacks. Stores have a consistent yellow and red theme, with posters of oversized burgers and loud Bollywood music.
And the Singh Burger Menu
OK, so basically they have a whole heap of chicken burgers, not as I was led to believe lamb burgers which crazily are few and far between, at least in Calcutta. They also are big on momo, one of the best dishes you can get in north-east India and ideally not one I would have in a chain restaurant – although have it I indeed did.
The Singh Burger Menu:
- Classic Chicken Burger – A simple fried chicken patty slapped between a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, and their spicy sauce. It’s nothing fancy, basically the Indian version of a McDonalds burger but with slightly more masala in the chicken. The bun is soft, slightly sweet, and it mostly just holds everything together. ₹120 (~$1.50)
- Spicy Chicken Burger – Same as the classic but with an extra kick from chili powder and masala in the patty. Not blow-your-head-off spicy, more of a “this reminds you you’re in India” kind of heat. The sauce is tangy and vaguely sweet. ₹140 (~$1.70)
- Two-for-One Chicken Deal – Two small versions of the classic chicken burger for the price of one. Perfect for pretending you’re getting a bargain, although each burger is tiny, more snack than meal. Convenient if you want to taste a couple of different sauces without committing to a full burger. ₹220 (~$2.70)
- Peri Peri Fries – Crimple-cut fries with peri peri seasoning. Essentially regular fries dusted with chili powder and a touch of oil. Crispy but nothing revolutionary. Feels a bit like English poor people food. ₹90 (~$1.10)
- Veggie Burger – Fried potato patty with lettuce and sauce. Nothing to write home about. It’s dry and basic, really just there to fill the “vegetarian option” box. ₹100 (~$1.20)
- Chicken Momo – Small steamed or fried dumplings with minced chicken and a light masala. Decent, soft, and mildly spiced. Not nearly as good as street momo ₹150 (~$1.80)
- Sauces – Ketchup, peri peri, or sweet chili chutney. Basic dips, nothing special, mostly just adds some moisture to the otherwise dry burgers. ₹20-50 (~$0.25-0.60)
How Does Singh Burger Taste?
I went for the two-for-one chicken burger and it was OK at best. Essentially, and much like McDonalds India, it was pretty much an Indian spicy burger in a cheap bun. The bun is soft and slightly sweet, the chicken mildly spiced, nothing that makes you want to Instagram it.
The peri peri fries were OK, but essentially just crimple-cut fries dusted with chili. Crispy enough to make a sound, soft enough to remind you it’s a chain, not a chip shop in England.
And then there was the momo. Now I am a HUGE fan of momo and I have to say it was OK. The dumplings were soft, lightly spiced, steamed just enough to hold together, fried option crisped nicely, but nothing like what you would get in Sikkim or Nepal from a street vendor.
So, overall it was decent and comparable to McDonalds India, but alas this is far from praise and you do not need to make a beeline for Singh Burgers.