A West Croydon restaurant is in the running to be named the best south Asian restaurant in the country.

MPs were asked to nominate one restaurant from their constituency for the Tiffin Cup, and it turns out Croydon North MP Steve Reed has the taste for Kalpa.

Manoj Karnavar opened the Indian restaurant and was delighted to hear that his food had left a lasting impression on Mr Reed.

"I turned to my roots, my home and my soulful memories of incredible family meals served during my time in Kerala and South India," Mr Karnavar said.

"Influencing the local culture and the food that mothers and grandmothers lovingly put on the family table, both Kerala and Sri Lanka have become recognised as central spice growing regions.

"With an abundance of both cardamom and cinnamon coming from the land it is no wonder these fragrant spices have become so apparent in the gentle spicing of local cuisine and now the Kalpa menu."

The grand final of the Tiffin Cup will be held in March next year, but Mr Reed was just delighted that Kalpa made it that far.

“I’m thrilled that my nomination for Kalpa has been accepted," he said.

"Croydon is home to some of the finest south Asian food in the country, and I hope people get behind Kalpa’s bid to be recognised as the country’s best.”