Royal Ruchik: Serving Goa's iconic fish thali

Among Goa's many culinary delights, the Goan Fish Thali stands out as an embodiment of local flavours. This delectable staple features rice, rich curry, and fried fish, complemented by accompaniments like tisreo sukhem, kismur, and sol kaddi. Royal Ruchik, located at St. Inez, Panaji is celebrated for its impressive Ravan thali. Known as the largest Goan thali in Goa, it offers a grand and authentic dining experience, attracting both locals and visitors eager to enjoy its traditional fare.

While numerous eateries across Goa offer their own versions of this classic dish, few do it with the finesse and authenticity of Royal Ruchik in Panaji. Started by four sisters Sulaksha Salgaonkar, Ujwala Sawal, Akansha Bhomkar and Geetanjali ku Dalibar nearly 25 years ago as a canteen in Patto, the venture wasn’t officially called Royal Ruchik until 2010, when it opened in St. Inez, Panaji. While many eateries across Goa serve their own versions of the classic Goan Fish Thali, few can match the finesse and authenticity that Royal Ruchik brings to the table.

"We actually started long back, but it wasn’t originally Royal Ruchik. My mother, father, and my mother’s three sisters ran a small canteen. They were passionate about cooking, especially in a homely, authentic way, and that passion has been passed down through the generations. We ran that canteen in Patto for about 10-12 years. Eventually, the building was demolished for reconstruction, and we had to close the canteen. But cooking had become a routine, more than just a business or a way to make money. So, when my mom and the others received a pension, we decided to open an outlet, and that’s how it all started booming, said Sudesh Salgaonkar, Sulaksha’s son who now helps his mother and aunts run the business.

In fact it was Sudesh who first introduced the concept of the Ravan Thali which has since become a sensation across Goa and what Royal Ruchik is best known for. This massive meal, designed to feed nearly four people, gained widespread attention not just for its size but also for the challenge that accompanied it.

"In 2017, I introduced the Ravan Thali, which was so big it could almost feed four people. If you Google it, you’ll see it’s my invention. Along with the concept, I introduced the Ravan Thali challenge—if a single person can finish the entire thali, they win Rs 2000. After that, people outside of Goa started copying it, creating their own versions like Bahubali Thali and Maharaja Thali, but the original, Goa's biggest thali, was invented by me," says Sudesh.

The story behind the Ravan Thali is not just about creating a massive meal; it’s a unique tale of friendship, says Sudesh, rooted in the shared love of enjoying food together. This close bond among friends inspired the idea for the now-famous Ravan Thali.

"We are four friends, all from different states, and we make sure that whenever we meet, we eat from only one thali. That was the concept behind it, and we decided to test it out in our restaurant in Goa. No one had introduced anything like it before. We also launched a challenge—if you could finish the entire thali, which costs around 700 rupees, not only would it be free, but I would also pay you 2000 rupees. Once we started the challenge, it went viral among the youth, and people from outside Goa started planning their trips specifically to try the Ravan Thali. That was our biggest achievement," shares Sudesh.

Running a successful restaurant that consistently delivers high-quality, authentic dishes is no easy task, especially when expanding to new locations. Sudesh, shares how they manage to maintain their standards despite the challenges of high demand and a new outlet which was opened nearly three weeks ago on 18 June Road.

“Maintaining the authenticity and quality of our thalis is crucial for us. Even though our second outlet is only a few days old, we ensure that the taste and structure of our dishes remain consistent with the original restaurant. Whether it’s here or there, you’ll experience the same vibe and quality,” he says.

Royal Ruchik is all set to introduce their special Shravan Thali this festive season. It features a variety of traditional dishes like patoleos, seasonal vegetables, and sweet treats such as modak, which are crafted using recipes passed down through generations.

“The key to maintaining our quality is our commitment to preparing food in quantity, not just numbers. We eat the same food from 9 to 6, and we make sure our customers enjoy the same high standard. Although the wait time might be longer, it’s worth it for the quality we deliver,” reveals Sudesh.

As for challenges, Sudesh states that they face typical issues like limited facilities and parking, as well as broader problems such as those posed by smart city projects in Panaji. “These ups and downs are part of running a business, but we strive to overcome them while keeping our standards high,” he says.

Sudesh emphasises that Royal Ruchik's approach is not about competing with others but about staying true to the roots and flavours.

"We don't have competition, because we aren't doing this for business or to compete with others. The key difference is that all our spices are prepared by my mom and her sisters. That's something very rare. You could pay a cook a lakh rupees, but they still wouldn't be able to recreate the same flavours. This is our unique factor—the spices we use aren't bought; they're made locally. Our masalas, like the famous reshado masala and xacuti, are well-known. Even our Roce Omelette has become extremely popular."

Royal Ruchik has recently expanded its offerings by introducing a Chinese cuisine segment, featuring dishes like chicken fry, fried rice, and Manchurian. This new addition is perfect for customers who prefer alternatives to seafood. The second outlet, meanwhile, focuses on traditional Goan breakfast options, including pav bhaji, saag bhaji, kurma bhaji, and Goan samosas, as well as popular snacks like vada pav. This location is dedicated to serving breakfast, while the original restaurant continues to offer its famed lunch menu.

At Royal Ruchik, creating a memorable dining experience is more than just about the food; it’s about making every guest feel at home, says Sudesh. The way the thalis are arranged and served carries a distinct homely touch, a quality that visitors frequently mention in their reviews. “If you spend just five minutes reading our reviews, you’ll notice that the word ‘homely’ is used commonly by all our guests. This is our biggest achievement,” says Sudesh.

Over the years, Royal Ruchik has had its fair share of memorable moments. The restaurant has had some standout moments, like when Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s bodyguard visits every time he’s in Goa. Another highlight was when India’s top food blogger, Vegan Bites, featured Royal Ruchik on their YouTube channel after the entire family visited to take on the Ravan Thali challenge. The connection made that day continues, marking a major milestone for the restaurant.