Halal Certified
Gobi 65 vs Gobi Manchurian: What's the Difference?
Quick answer: Both are crispy fried cauliflower (“gobi” means cauliflower in Hindi). Gobi 65 is spiced in the batter and served dry, with no sauce. Gobi Manchurian is fried cauliflower tossed in a soy, garlic and ginger Manchurian sauce, served dry or with gravy. At Chilli N Chopsticks in Downtown Kitchener, Gobi 65 is $14.49, and our closest Manchurian dish is the Vegetable Manchurian at $16.49.
What is Gobi 65?
Gobi 65 is the vegetarian cousin of Chicken 65, a South Indian bar snack. Cauliflower florets are coated in a spiced batter, usually with chilli, ginger, garlic and curry leaves, then deep-fried until crunchy. It is eaten on its own, often with a squeeze of lemon, and it stays crispy because there is no sauce to soften it.
Ours is marked spicy on the menu, but you can ask for mild, medium or extra spicy.
What is Gobi Manchurian?
Manchurian is one of the best-known Indo-Chinese sauces: dark, savoury and garlicky, made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and green chilli, thickened so it clings to whatever is fried. The usual story traces Manchurian to a Chinese-Indian chef in Mumbai in the 1970s. Gobi Manchurian uses fried cauliflower; Veg Manchurian uses crispy vegetable balls.
| Gobi 65 | Gobi Manchurian | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | South Indian | Indo-Chinese |
| Sauce | None (dry) | Soy-garlic Manchurian, dry or gravy |
| Texture | Crunchy | Crispy outside, saucy |
| Best as | Starter or snack | Starter (dry) or main with rice (gravy) |
What to order at Chilli N Chopsticks
- Gobi 65, $14.49: crispy, spicy, vegetarian starter.
- Vegetable Manchurian (Pakora Style), $16.49: crispy vegetable balls in Manchurian sauce, served with steamed rice.
- Manchurian Fried Rice or Manchurian Noodles with crispy veggie balls, veg from $16.49.
- On weekdays, Vegetable Manchurian Pakora is one of the $12.49 lunch specials.
Everything is halal certified. See more vegetarian Chinese food in Kitchener or read about Manchurian.
Try it in Kitchener
Can’t decide? Order Gobi 65 as a starter and Veg Manchurian as your main, and you’ll taste both styles in one meal.
Order online for pickup, get delivery on Uber Eats or DoorDash, or book a table at 183 King St E, Downtown Kitchener. Open 7 days: Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
FAQ
Is Gobi 65 the same as Gobi Manchurian?
No. Both use fried cauliflower, but Gobi 65 is spiced in the batter and served dry, while Gobi Manchurian is tossed in a soy-garlic Manchurian sauce.
Do you serve Gobi Manchurian?
Our menu has Gobi 65 ($14.49) and Vegetable Manchurian with crispy veggie balls ($16.49). Ask our team about special requests.
Is Gobi 65 vegetarian?
Yes. Gobi 65 is a vegetarian dish made with cauliflower.
Is Gobi 65 spicy?
It is marked spicy on our menu, but you can ask for mild, medium or extra spicy.
Where can I get Gobi 65 in Kitchener?
At Chilli N Chopsticks, 183 King St E in Downtown Kitchener, for dine-in, pickup or delivery.
Still have a question? Message us on Instagram @chillichopsticks_kitchener or call 519-208-9775.
