In short: naan is a soft, leavened white-flour bread baked against the wall of the tandoor; roti is an unleavened whole-wheat flatbread; paratha is a flaky layered bread; kulcha is a leavened bread, often filled. At Copperleaf our 12 breads are baked to order in the tandoor, from CHF 5 to CHF 12.
In North Indian cooking, bread matters as much as rice: it is used to scoop, to wrap and to share. But the names can be confusing. Here is our short guide.
The tandoor: the secret of the flavour
A tandoor is a clay oven heated to a very high temperature. The dough is pressed against its scorching wall: within minutes the bread puffs up, blisters and takes on the golden, lightly smoky spots you can’t get in a regular oven. That is why our breads are baked to order.
Naan, roti, paratha, kulcha: the differences
| Bread | Dough | Texture | Price at Copperleaf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naan | White flour, leavened | Soft, puffy | from CHF 6 |
| Roti | Whole wheat, unleavened | Thin, rustic | CHF 5 |
| Tandoori paratha | Layered dough | Crisp and tender | CHF 7 |
| Kulcha | Leavened, filled | Soft and stuffed | CHF 12 |
Our 12 breads
Classic naans
- Plain naan — CHF 6
- Garlic naan — the most popular, CHF 7
- Butter naan — CHF 7
- Chilli naan — for heat lovers, CHF 7
Cheese naans
- Cheese naan — CHF 8
- Cheese & garlic naan — CHF 9
- Cheese & chilli naan — CHF 9
- Cheese, chilli & garlic naan — the most indulgent, CHF 11
Specialities
- Peshawari naan — a sweet naan, traditionally filled with dried fruit and nuts, lovely with spicy dishes, CHF 10
- Three-cheese kulcha with za’atar — our house creation: mozzarella, cheddar and Gruyère lifted with za’atar (a Middle Eastern herb and spice blend), CHF 12
- Tandoori paratha — CHF 7
- Whole-wheat roti — the lightest, CHF 5
Which bread with which dish?
- Butter chicken, korma: garlic or butter naan, to mop up the smooth sauce.
- Spicy curries (Madras, vindaloo): Peshawari naan, whose sweetness balances the heat, or a cheese naan.
- Tandoor grills: roti or paratha, which are lighter.
- Vegetarian dishes (dal, chana masala): whole-wheat roti or paratha.
- As a starter to share: our three-cheese kulcha.
Not sure what goes with what? Our article on what to order at an Indian restaurant has easy combinations.
How many breads to order
Generally, one bread for two people is enough alongside rice. Without rice, allow one bread per person.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between naan and roti?
Naan is made with white flour and a leavened dough, so it is thick and soft. Roti is made with whole-wheat flour and no leavening, so it is thinner and lighter.
Are the breads vegetarian?
Yes, all 12 of our breads are vegetarian. Some contain cheese, butter or other dairy — please tell our team about any allergy.
Does naan contain gluten?
Yes, all our breads are made with wheat flour. If you have an intolerance, tell our team and they will suggest a suitable side, such as basmati rice.
Why does naan taste better in a restaurant?
Because it is baked in a tandoor, a clay oven far hotter than a home oven. The bread puffs up in minutes and picks up a light smoky flavour.
Craving a hot naan? See the full menu and book your table.