Tried these Goan burgers locals queue up for?
Three brothers are using their family's recipes to make your tastebuds jump with joy even at 3 am, in Anjuna.
Whether you find yourself exploring Goa on a shoestring budget or with the luxury of a heavy pocket, there’s one experience that you can add to your itinerary – dining at Noronha’s Corner in the heart of Anjuna. While numerous burger joints populate the town, this unique spot stands out for dishing out authentic Goan burgers and home recipes.
Operated from a modest van, Noronha’s Corner is the brainchild of three brothers – Charles, Lazarus, and Ralph – who hail from Assagao. They prepare and sell nearly 250 burgers each day. With no plans to expand their team, they have been running the business since 2009.
“We are content with our current setup. People love our food. Even during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, when restaurants were closing their doors, we received midnight calls for home deliveries,” shared Charles, beaming with satisfaction.
The burgers at Noronha’s Corner are basic and true to Goan flavours. Customers can indulge in the mouth-watering roast beef in bread or savour the sausage bread, which is basically chorizo. These creations are served inside poee, a locally baked leavened bread lovingly prepared by their mother at home.
Beyond the realm of burgers, this mobile eatery also tempts patrons with an array of other authentic Goan delicacies. You can delve into the rich and robust flavours of pork vindaloo or sample the savoury sorpotel (a mince of meat and organs) in bread. If you’re in the mood to experiment, you can opt for the beef roast tongue in bread that is available in limited stock to ensure freshness.
Seafood enthusiasts can try their calamari chilly fry and the fish cutlet, each bite of which brims with the essence of coastal indulgence.
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“Tourists go to the big restaurants, locals eat here. If you want to eat a Goan burger, this is where you can find it. I have been coming here since my college days,” said Ghanshyam, a local resident who is a regular customer at Noronha’s.
Noronha’s Corner has a vast menu for lovers of non-vegetarian food and those seeking vegetarian options may find themselves disappointed. They have about 50 items on their menu, out of which there’s only one vegetarian dish – the humble cheese tomato bread. Yet, if you possess a sweet tooth, your visit to Noronha’s Corner can be worth it for their homemade bebinca – an exquisite Goan dessert.
You can indulge further in the creamy and coconut-infused dodol, a regional delicacy that remains elusive in many other eateries across Goa. If you’re lucky, perhaps you will also have the opportunity to try their homemade serradura – a comforting Portuguese sawdust pudding delicately layered with whipped cream and crumbled Marie biscuits.
The price of their food items starts at Rs 90 and goes up to a maximum of Rs 250 per dish. Do note that Noronha’s Corner opens its doors at approximately 7 pm during the summer season and often sells out by 3 am, with mostly locals thronging for their usual favourites.
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The lead image at the top shows a beef burger being roasted before serving. (Photo by Teesta Rajan)
Teesta Rajan is the Associate Director of Village Vibe at Village Square. She is passionate about food, travel and culture.
