9 Spices Indian Roti Cuisine — Restaurant in Oshawa

From a Goan, East Indian food-lover, who takes his food seriously:

First impressions? An "A". Friendly greeting by, and conversation with, Chef/Owner Anthony upon entering; the booths were clean and spacious, nice colourful branding, large digital menu display. I was the only one there on a Sunday Father's Day afternoon. The website had many spelling mistakes. Nice personal touch of educational posters with the history of Indian food on them. Didn't get a chance to check out the men's washroom (I HATE dirty washrooms) -- will report on this the next time I re-visit. Friendly, smiling, welcoming, courteous, respectful staff.

Having said that, Anthony can cook. I ordered a spicy/hot order of Shrimp Curry and Chicken Biryani; additionally, I bought an order of Gulab Jamuns and a Mango Lassi for dessert. He threw in a chicken samosa for me to try :)

I drank the Mango lassi first: "B+". It was ready-to-go, so I have no idea how fresh it was. Overall, good. Nice taste, good blend of mango to yogourt mix, and smooth (not lumpy or stringy) though a little thin for my liking -- am more a fan of thick shakes, though thin has the benefit of not getting stuck in the straw if you're drinking through one. Medium sized; wished it were larger. For the record, I don't think that I've ever had someone screw up a Mango lassi on me, wherever I've been. Would buy it again.

Next, the chicken samosa: "B" for my preference -- read more. Overall, good. Medium sized. Flavourful in a way that hints of Sri Lankan (if you like Sri Lankan food) spices, and the filling was not greasy. Looked baked (though was actually fried), was not 'doughy/chewy', and zero grease on the outside. Am personally a texture-loving fan of a crispy, fried outside, notwithstanding the health risk for my coronary arteries. I rarely find a samosa that I like, since most places bake them, so though I probably wouldn't have one again, don't let my bias stand in your way.

Shrimp Curry? "A, small +"; on first sight, I thought there was not enough curry, though a lot was hiding under the rice, and it turned out to be a perfect ratio. The Shrimp Curry which was flavourful on multiple levels and had an initial hint of hotness that gradually built in intensity (so have the raita on hand, ready to go!); the shrimp were a nice medium-to-large size, and cooked well, but not rubbery. On a side note, I liked the fact that I didn't have to remove the shrimp tails/shells because I HATE spending time fighting with my food. Loved the potato in it: firm initially, though soft inside on your first bite. Definitely will buy this again.

Spicy Chicken Biryani? "A++, Knocked-it-out-of-the-park". Crispy top coating, chewy underneath, multi-coloured visual, chicken was cooked PERFECTLY, moist (not dry), and was VERY spicy -- be forewarned if you order it spicy. Addictive. Will re-order, though will get it a smidgen less spicy next time.

Finally, Gulab Jamuns! "B". 2 in an order. Standard fare, including rose water/syrup. Anticlimactic after the Chicken Biryani. A hint of doughy-ness on one bite. A reasonable amount of rose-water flavoured syrup -- they weren't drowning in it, nor were they soggy or over-saturated. I'll give this a second chance the next time that I come, though I'll order them fresh and hot (if he can accommodate me) -- HUGE difference; if you love Gulab Jamuns, the only way to eat them are when they are hot, even if this means eating them before your meal -- take it from a serious dessert-lover.

Mom, you really need to start selling your Gulab Jamuns -- you would be doing the world an enormous favor.

When I return, I'll try a beef dish, some chana, a fresh order of Gulab Jamuns, and will report back on the cleanliness of the men's washroom. Overall, a very good...

This review is ONLY on the food. I have never entered this restaurant so I cannot comment on the environment or service. But recently, I had the pleasure of eating my partner's leftovers from this restaurant, and it was AMAZING.

I was in a total food funk for a week. Nothing appeared appetizing to me. My go-tos are sushi, pizza, pho, and fried chicken. But none of them were working. I was only eating because I knew I needed the calories to operate. I was eating solely for fuel. Until I was the recipient of Biryani leftovers from this restaurant. Reheated, the flavours are perfect. I tried the shrimp with mild spice and goat or lamb with heavier spice (leftovers so I'm not sure), and they were both amazing.

You bet I'm addicted. Now I look forward to potential leftovers from this restaurant every day. It'd be so much easier if I live near so I can get it myself.

Update (Nov 22, 2020): just visited. Nice, clean, friendly. Tried their vegetarian korma curry. It's listed as a vegan option so I was not expecting much. But wow. Mind blown away again. I just simply cannot wrap my head around why the food taste so good. I only wish I live closer. Also, very generous portions.

Update (May 23, 2022): had their veggie Biryani...I think they changed their chef because the Biryani was a huge disappointment. No longer my...

9 Spices is a cozy little Indian restaurant tucked away on Simcoe Street, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re craving rich, flavorful Indian cuisine. We recently ordered takeout and tried the Butter Chicken, Lamb Biryani, Madras Lamb Curry, Plain Paratha, and Plain Roti, and overall, everything was delicious and well-prepared. The Butter Chicken was creamy, perfectly spiced, and had tender chicken pieces in a velvety sauce. The Lamb Biryani was fragrant, with flavorful, well-seasoned rice and tender lamb that paired beautifully with a side of raita. The Madras Lamb Curry brought bold flavors and a deep, satisfying spice that really stood out.

A couple of observations, first, their medium spicy level is quite hot so if you’re not used to spicy food, I’d recommend going for mild. Second, the paratha felt like it was made from a frozen base and then cooked; while it tasted fine and the chef did a good job preparing it, in a restaurant setting you’d typically expect fresh, hand-made parathas. The plain roti, however, was soft and fresh.

Overall, 9 Spices delivered on flavor and quality, and the warm, cozy vibe of the place adds to its charm. With a little tweak on the paratha and clearer spice-level guidance for customers, it could easily become a wonderful spot for authentic Indian...