Entering India's kitchen
(Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2005-01-25 10:41

photo source: dandypy.51.net

It took a circuitous route and many a year but Indian Kitchen has finally found its way to Beijing. The name may not roll off the tongue as easily as McDonald's or KFC, but in its own way, Indian Kitchen can rightfully claim to be a chain of restaurants in China, specializing in Indian cuisine.

The first Indian Kitchen location opened in Macao in 1990. Over the years, the franchise set up outlets in four cities in Guangdong Province, and one in Anhui, Hubei and Zhejiang provinces, as well as four eateries in Shanghai.

Indian Kitchen manager Satish says the management was biding its time and waiting for the right circumstances before venturing into the nation's capital.

It's not that Beijingers are starved for Indian food, with about 20 restaurants at last count serving the city. But it is the blend of Indian cuisine – the more-popular north Indian dishes served in most Indian restaurants here and the lesser-known south Indian food – that will help the restaurant carve a niche for itself, Satish said.

Perennial favourites like naan – Indian bread baked in clay ovens – curries with varying levels of spice (you can specify your tolerance), kebabs (meat grilled on skewers) and various lentil and vegetable dishes are all served. Prices range from 25 yuan (US$3) to 40 yuan (US$5) per dish.

But what is generally not found in similar restaurants is the Indian pancake made of fermented finely ground rice- and white-lentil paste. It is filled with spicy potato or finely cut onions and is served with coconut and ginger chutneys as well as a mild red-lentil curry.

The pancakes, 25 yuan (US$3.20), are generally eaten for breakfast or as a mid-afternoon snack in India, but would make an ideal appetizer for dinner.

For the main course, the Native Prawn Curry, the semi-dry Madras Mutton or chicken curry are highly recommended and are all on the special menu (prices from 25 yuan (US$3) to 35 yuan (US$4.5) accompanied by a lentil or vegetable dish.

Due its location in the embassy area, most of the clientele are diplomats and diplomatic staff, Satish said.

Currently, it can serve up to 110 patrons in two separate dining areas and several private rooms.

Patrons may soon see live performances of Indian song and dance shows.

Location: Second Floor, No 2, Sanlitun, Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Business hours: 11 am – 2:30 pm.  5:30 pm-11 pm.

Tel: 6462-7255

INDIAN OPTIONS

The Tandoor Business hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30-10:30 pm Location: First floor, Great Dragon Hotel, No 2 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District Tel: 6597-2211

The Tandoor Business hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30-10:30 pm Location: First floor, Great Dragon Hotel, No 2 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District Tel: 6597-2211

Asian Star Business hours: 11 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10 pm Location: No 26 East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District Tel: 6582-5306

Chingari Business hours: 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm Location: Fourth floor, No 27 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District Tel: 8448-3690

The Taj Pavillion Business hours: 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 6 pm-10:30 pm Location: First floor, West Wing, China Trade Centre (next to KFC) Chaoyang District Tel: 6505-2288, ext 80116

Golden Elephant Business hours: 11 am-10:30 pm Location: No 7 Sanlitun Beili, Chaoyang District Tel: 6417-1650