11 July, 2017
Who can resist a piping hot, fragrant curry and an ice-cold beer on a Friday night? Not us! From creamy korma to spicy vindaloos (#noregrets) and endless baskets of buttery naan bread, there’s nothing better than sitting down and tucking in to Hong Kong’s best with great friends and a delicious menu. Curb those curry cravings with our personal Sassy favourites…
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on 12 October, 2016 and was updated by Stephanie Ma on 11 July, 2017
11 July, 2017
Smack bang in the middle of town is this epic dining experience. The Great Indian Kebab Factory towers over Central district, with a view of the Fringe Club below. As soon as you step out of the lift, you are greeted by the sound of sizzling plates, the smell of perfectly blended spices and the chatter of happy families chowing down on an assortment of appetisers.
One trip is simply not enough as the menu is full of delicious, authentic dishes. No need to panic if you don’t know what to pick, the smiling staff is ready to do the ordering for you and get you prepped for your pending (and totally worth it) food coma.
The Great Indian Kebab Factory, 19/F Wellington Place – M88, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2810 7000, www.thegreatindiankebabfactory.com
Run by Puja Rajwani, this Indian Private Kitchen is a great spot for birthdays, girls’ night, book clubs or any special event. Inspired by her mama’s traditional family recipies, Puja focuses on flavour rather kicking up the heat (she herself says that they are not known for spicy dishes). She and her staff focus on what they do best which is serving up traditional Sindhi dishes in a homey environment. They serve one table per night (min 8, max 10 people) so you know you will get top notch service, great food and an experience that makes you feel right at home.
For more information, their address and to book a table at Dining At Home, email puja@diningathome.biz or call 9700 4474, www.diningathome.biz
Read more: Private Dining: Where To Host Dinner Parties
Located conveniently in Central, this Indian restaurant serves a variety of flavourful and aromatic dishes that leave you feeling satiated yet not bloated. A great dish is the ‘Chicken Tikka Lababdar,’ a rich, sweet and creamy curry, which is even more delicious when paired with the garlic naan. It also has an extensive vegetarian menu that’s equally as delicious. With a rustic modern interior design that’s chic yet understated, it’s perfect for birthdays, group meals and casual dining. On top of that it has a buffet lunch and a Sunday brunch – bubbles, buffet AND brunch – who can say no to that?
Bombay Dreams, 4/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2971 0001, www.diningconcepts.com/restaurants/Bombay-Dreams
An oldie but a goodie, Jo Jo Indian Restaurant has been on the scene since 1985! Serving up a delicious array of traditional curries and clay oven specialties, the prices are reasonable and atmosphere is always lively. The perfect location for a curry and beer with the girls, we would highly recommend the ‘Manglorian Chilly Chicken‘ and selection of Tandoori feats – the perfect stomach liner for the inevitable night out on the town that ensues!
Jo Jo Indian Restaurant, 2/F Davis House, 37-39 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2527 3776 and G/F, 21Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, 2574 7477, www.jojofood.com
Some of us eat and cook (read: our mothers cook) delicious Indian food almost every day at home, when we go out to eat Indian food, we’re always on the hunt for something a little fancier than our usual daal, rice and curry. We were pleasantly surprised by hole in the wall joint The Clay Oven in Kennedy Town – its Chicken Tikka is perfectly cooked and flavoured, and its Paratha is just the right balance of flaky and chewy! Be sure to try out the Tandoori platter and its Dal Makhani as well. For veggie lovers, The Clay Oven has a wide variety of options for you to choose from that taste just as good, if not better, than the non-veg options! If you’re in or around the Kennedy Town area, we highly recommend checking this one out for your Indian food fix!
Sassy Tip: Skip the naan and try the Lachha Paratha, a flaky, buttery alternative and one of our faves from the menu. Paired with the Tandoori Chicken, it’s unbeatable!
The Clay Oven, 27-31 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, 2872 6900, www.theclayoven.com.hk
A Hong Kong staple, Jashan has been around for more than 10 years and it’s not hard to see why – its food is totally on point! Conveniently located on Hollywood Road, this has been the go to spot one of the Sassy girls for years. It has a great contemporary take on classic Indian fare, which appeals to a wide variety of foodies. However, it still retains the comfort food vibe that we look for when going out for Indian food. The flavours and cooking are always just right, and the range of options ensures that everyone can find something they like here.
Sassy tip: Don’t skimp on dessert, as the Gulab Jamun is some the best you’ll find in HK!
Jashan, 1/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 3105 5300/3105 5311, www.jashan.com.hk
Bindaas is a warm, cosy and welcoming spot, right on the corner of Hollywood Road. This place is all about convenient sharing plates and platters – the perfect way to avoid any kind of food envy: simply try it all! The recipes are inspired by traditional tastes, but they’re presented with a colourful contemporary twist that aims to offer Hong Kong authentic Indian street food flavours. The vibrant atmosphere and relaxed décor is an added bonus to the deliciously addictive food and fun selection of cocktails.
Sassy Tip: Bindaas is one of the only places in HK that serves a pav bhaji to rival the ones found on the streets of Mumbai! Definitely try both the veggie and the lamb variations – be warned though, it can get spicy! And don’t leave without trying the sweet, fluffy, and freshly baked “Naanza” – we can’t get enough of them!
Bindaas Bar & Kitchen, 33 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2447 9998, www.iambindaas.com
A few of the Sassy girls love a curry found only 5 minutes from Sassy HQ! The Queen’s Street Cooked Food Market is seriously underrated when it comes to delicious, affordable food. With a range of cuisines to choose from (we love the Beijing Dumplings and ABC Kitchen’s Eggs Bene!), it’s a convenient and casual place to grab a bite to eat. Chautari Restaurant is the only Indian offering at the Cooked Food Market and it’s an absolute must try. The flavourful, generous curries are fantastic value for money; you simply can’t go wrong with Tandoori Chicken, Saagwala Paneer, a cold beer (it’s BYOB) and a Garlic Naan from the on-site tandoor oven! I’d definitely recommend coming here with a big group so you can try as many dishes as possible and make the most of the relaxed environment.
Chautari Restaurant, 1/F, CF6, Queen Street Cooked Food Market, Queen Street, 38 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2600 4408, www.chautari.com.hk
We had to add this amazing little spot on Mosque Street! We’ve been addicted to the chicken and lamb ‘kathi’ rolls for a while now. Indian Village is a tiny resto that only has a few seats, but it’s perfect if you’re looking for something casual, cheap and seriously satisfying. It’s nothing fancy, but Indian Village offers authentic flavours and has a rustic charm that you just can’t beat!
Indian Village, G/F, 31-37 Mosque Street, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, 2525 5488, indianvillage.com.hk
Jump on the Masala Train in Wan Chai and devour the nutritious side of traditional Indian cooking! Established by ex-banker Tiena Sekharan, Masala Train’s fare shatters the idea that Indian fare is merely a palatable comfort cuisine. A great choice on the menu is definitely the vegetable-heavy and high-protein Chicken Tikka Masala, if you are looking for something light in texture yet flavoursome. Also, make sure to check out the freshly baked Chicken Keema Roll, Samosas as well as sugar-free desserts Gajar Halwa and Kheer, gorgeous on-the-go options with generously affordable prices that will seriously make you crave more!
Masala Train, Shop C on G/, Yue On Building, 146-148 Lockhart Road and 2A O’Brien Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, 2415 3000, www.masalatrain.com
With an established chain of branches located in various countries around the world, Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant has taken HK by storm. From South Indian Thali, Masala Dosa to Gobi Manchurian, the restaurant offers an impressive array of authentic South Indian gourmet that would give you a true taste of the Spices Island of Chennai – the Cradle of Flavour since ancient times. With its refined atmosphere, mouth-watering cuisines and excellent service, Sangeetha is a perfect spot for family gatherings and friendly get-togethers!
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2640 2123, sangeetha.com.hk
A no frills kind of place, this is a great spot to bring family and friends who are new to Indian dining. Serving up classics such as perfectly fried Samosas, decadent Butter Chicken, creamy Palak Paneer and a variety of drool-worthy Naan, you’ll be coming back for seconds in no time. Situated right in the heart of Causeway Bay, across from Times Square, this local staple for the last 17 years has long been a favourite of ours!
Aladin Mess, 2/F, 60 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2808 0250, www.aladinmess.com
From the outside, it looks like a more like cafeteria, but the low-key Namaste Kitchen on Queen’s Road West is one Indian food place we frequent a lot. It’s very reasonable, the service is super friendly, and the Dal Makhni here is our absolute favourite. If you’re not a fan of super spicy meals, it will tailor the food to your liking. There is a wide selection of vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes, including curries and makhni, as well as tikka and tandoori, with freshly made naan. A happy hour Monday through Friday from 5:30pm to 8:30pm makes this resto even better!
Namaste Kitchen, 38 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2795 7555, www.namastekitchen.com.hk
Tucked away in the small neighbourhood of Sai Ying Pun, the Asian fusion eatery BlackSalt is bound to give you a pleasant surprise! With white wooden doors, an elegant yet friendly ambience and a cosy outdoor area, BlackSalt is one of those places that feels exactly like home. Playing around with all the good things of Indian, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Sri Lankan foods, the restaurant’s humble owner Chef Taran creates state-of–the-art gourmet that will make you immediately rethink Asian food. Be sure to check out the signature What’s the Matter Paneer?, Poulet Tikki Masala, BS Okra Fries and Konkan Coast Fish Cakes, the incredible flavours, beautiful presentation and generous pricing will definitely take you to cloud nine.
Sassy tip: BlackSalt also serve brunch from 12pm to 3pm every Saturday and Sunday, so get yourselves down and try some Chickpea Pancakes, Royal Egg Hoppers and Spicy Scrambled Eggs!
BlackSalt, 14 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 3702 1237, www.facebook.com/BlackSaltHK
Read more: BlackSalt: Spicing up Sai Ying Pun
Juxtaposed strikingly with Wan Chai’s hustle and bustle, Khana Khazana Indian Vegetarian and Bar serves a wide variety of expertly crafted North-Indian and South-Indian vegetarian cuisines and street food in a friendly yet tranquilizing environment. The Paper Plain Dosa, dal Punjabi, Lachedar Paratha and Mutter Panner are highly recommended must-trys if you’re up for something refreshing! The restaurant also offers excellent masala chai or tea as well as an array of Indian and foreign beers.
Khana Khazana Indian Vegetarian Restaurant and Bar, 1/F, Dannies House, 20 Luard Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2520 5308, fusionconcepts.com.hk/khana-khazana
Serving up a delicious yet excellent value range of South Indian fare in Tsim Sha Tsui since 1981, Woodlands International Restaurant still hasn’t lost its charm with tourists. Dithering gluttons must order the Masala Dosas and Sambar, but the photogenic Thali and Idlis would also definitely amp up your Instagram feed! At around $45 to 55 per dish, everything Woodlands has to offer is a great value for your money. Plus, service is attentive and the atmosphere is extremely causal.
Woodlands International Restaurant, UG 16-17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2369 3718, www.facebook.com/woodlandshk
Coming highly recommended from many a Sassy girl (and friends!), Indian Curry Express is a must try. Don’t be fooled by its humble exterior; this is good and proper home-style Indian cooking done right, and with amazing value prices to match, it’s 100% one of our faves!
Sassy Tip: Go for the naan, as one of the best we’ve tried in Hong Kong, it’s a must order. Along with everything else on the menu…
Indian Curry Express, Rockson Mansion, 25-35 A Water Street, Sai Wan, Hong Kong, 6744 6915
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