From the architectural wonders and vibrantly coloured culture to the interesting history, art, traditions, and of course incredibly diverse cuisine – India has always been one of those places that people always say you need to visit at least once in your life. But since that isn’t likely to happen any time too soon, we thought it might be nice to send your taste buds on a food flight to India instead. First-class in taste, mind you.
There’s just something so comforting about Indian food that instinctively makes you rub your belly and sigh in utter satisfaction. Are you with me? Be it a rich and intensely-flavoured curry, to the lightest and crispiest paper dosa, these are some of our favourite Indian dishes that will transport you (at least mentally) to India.
RECOMMENDED: Not in the mood for an Indian? Head to these Hong Kong restaurants to get a taste of Indonesian cuisine instead.
What to order: Chicken madras ($85)
Ok, so technically, this restaurant is offering both Indian and Nepalese cuisine, but the dishes here are not to be missed when you’re in need of a curry fix. Whether you’re into chicken madras or lamb vindaloo, both are fantastic, but the madras doesn’t disappoint. Toasty spices blended with sweet and sour tamarind, followed by a slight kick, this curry will have you going back for more with your garlic naan, or cheese naan, or both.
What to order: Rava masala dosa ($75)
This large South Indian restaurant chain in Hong Kong is bound to take your mind somewhere else with its vegetarian cuisine. Well known for their crispy, paper-thin dosa, this chain fills it with crushed and spiced potatoes and serves it with four different chutneys. Or if you’re sharing, opt for the family dosa which is three times bigger than the normal size, but is only available on weekdays.
What to order: Bengali prawn curry ($260)
To be quite honest, you could probably order anything from the Chaat menu and instantly feel satisfied with your decision to have Indian food. From the soft and warm bone marrow kulcha ($98) to a modern rendition of tikka made with lobster ($958), but the one dish you really need to order, especially if you love seafood, is the Bengali prawn curry. Full of aromatics from the panch phoran spice mix, and accented with sharpness from yoghurt and Kasundi mustard, each and every prawn is meaty and flavourful.
What to order: Rasam idli ($55) and vada ($50/2 pieces)
Proving to everyone that Indian cuisine is more than just curry and naan, vegetarian restaurant Sangeetha provides the goods in the form of idli (soft fluffy savoury rice cakes) and vada (savoury doughnuts). Here, the idli is served with a spicy, sweet and sour rasam, or soup, to soak up all the flavour, while the crispy exterior of vada offers the much-needed crunch that you can enjoy alongside their vegetable korma.
What to order: Chicken tikka lababdar ($138)
Offering a finer take on this fragrant cuisine, Bombay Dreams is a popular haunt for many Indian food lovers in the city. The staff at the restaurant say that the chicken tikka lababdar is the ultimate crowd favourite, with regulars who come by to order that dish without even looking at the menu. Using an aromatic blend of spices, the chicken tikka is simmered in a luscious gravy made up of onions and ripe tomatoes, which help to add sweetness.
Enjoy, and pace yourself, okay?
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