The Monk — Restaurant in Gurugram District

A Culinary Journey at The Monk by 32nd

Located in the heart of the bustling and upscale 32nd Avenue in Sector 15, Gurugram, The Monk by 32nd is a hidden gem. The brainchild of Anubhav Sharma, this quaint Pan Asian restaurant offers a perfect balance of intimacy and elegance, with just 36 indoor covers and an additional 22 outside. Whether you’ve been here before or are a first-timer, The Monk promises an exceptional experience curated by Chef Lekhu, whose decades of culinary experiments shine through the menu.

Walking in, I was immediately struck by the cozy yet vibrant ambiance. The Monk’s ethos is simple yet profound: uniting cultures and cuisines—sometimes in the very same dish. While the flavors are bold and inventive, they never stray too far from the familiar comfort of Asian classics. This makes it an ideal place to share a meal with friends or family.

What I Tried

Hot Pot Chimney (Steamboat) One of the standout dishes was the Hot Pot Chimney, an immersive dining experience perfect for chilly evenings. I opted for the chicken version, which came brimming with fresh, aromatic ingredients and a hearty broth that warmed me from the inside out. The balance of spices and textures made it a dish I couldn’t stop savoring.

Crispy Corn Salt & Pepper This simple yet addictive appetizer had just the right crunch and seasoning. It was a delightful start to the meal and set the tone for what was to come.

Farm Fresh Golden Crisp Prawns Tossed in a dry chili sauce, these prawns were a symphony of flavors. The crunch of the prawns paired perfectly with the tangy heat of the sauce, making them an absolute must-try.

Succulent Chicken Breast Cooked to perfection, the chicken was sliced and tossed in Chinese wine and butter garlic, delivering a silky, aromatic flavor that left me wanting more.

Teppan Style Udon Noodles (Vegetarian) The udon noodles, cooked with seasonal vegetables, aromatic spices, and chili sauce, were topped with roasted sesame seeds for an extra layer of flavor. Each bite was a harmonious blend of spice, texture, and comfort.

Dimsums Dim sum lovers rejoice! The Monk offers a variety of crystal dim sums with delicate wheat-starch skins. I particularly enjoyed:

Broccoli with Vermicelli Noodles & Sesame Seeds

Shrimp & Water Chestnuts Har Gow The freshness of the ingredients and the subtle flavors made these a delightful addition to the meal.

Desserts To round off the evening, I indulged in the Coconut Caramel Ice Cream, topped with mixed nuts. The rich creaminess of the coconut paired with the caramel’s sweetness was heavenly. For a drinkable dessert, I had the Irish Coffee, which perfectly balanced the bitterness of coffee with the warmth of Irish whiskey.

Final Thoughts

The Monk by 32nd is more than just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of Pan Asian cuisine, where every dish tells a story. From the meticulously crafted menu to the attentive service and charming ambiance, it’s clear that a lot of thought and love has gone into creating this space.

Whether you’re a fan of Asian food or just looking for a memorable dining experience, The Monk is a place you’ll want to visit again and again. For me, it’s not just a meal; it’s a journey I’ll cherish and definitely repeat.

Let the...

On the 7th visit it was the same feeling while I was entering the restaurant. Vallet parking service, good ambience over all, clean tables and good quality crockery. All points checked to call it an "upmarket" restaurant. But what has changed is the service and the quality of food and the sad thing is that it has deteriorated. I had always loved the authentic taste and proper attendance by the staff because of which paying such an extravagant amount was never an issue. It's fine dining after all. I have tried out different dishes served at the monk and now I stick to the particular order -

For starters : spring rolls, honey chili potato (not on the menu but you may ask for it to be prepared), assorted bucket of dimsums and some additions depending on the mood. The starters are nothing special and not the speciality, there are numerous other places which serve better quality.

Beverages : tropical hue and choco delight are my personal favorite, but if they have a lot of orders or during the rush hour the staff might say that the order for beverages will take time as the blender is not working which is a lie, it's just that they get the drinks made from a place which is right next to the monk.

Main Course : pan fried noodles with seasonal vegetables (personal favorite) and chili garlic noodles (another favorite) And if one is looking for something different then a must try is wheat fried noodles in coconut green Thai curry. Be sure to mention as to how salty you wish your dish to be. The main course at this place is what has always attracted me and is also the best aspect of this place however the service and the overall taste has somewhat gone down if compared to the previous years and it has lost its charm. The ambience is still a hit but it's a restaurant which has passed its prime and a lot better options have...

The food is as delicious as I remember first tasting it at The Monk more than a decade ago, so I'm delighted to see it is back at 32nd Avenue!

There were three of us, so we ordered two starters and two bowl meals, as I remember the portions were always quite generous. We weren't disappointed, with the quantity or the quality of the starters and mains. The desserts were a different story...

The Prawns Basil Coconut (starter) was delicious, the prawns large and succulent, surrounded by delicious greens.

The Honey Chilli Lamb was soft and yummy, with a generous garnishing of scallions.

The Spicy Garlic Chicken with Sticky Rice bowl was the best of what we ordered, and I'd go back for it again.

The Singapore Noodles with Prawn, Chicken, Egg, was good, but order it only if you like flat noodles.

The portions are good, but definitely smaller than what the original Monk served in its first avataar.

The desserts, were delicious, but tiny!! We ordered White Sesame Balls with Hazelnut Chocolate; and Fig & Date Pancake with Vanilla Icecream at The Monk Gurgaon. They were served in tiny bowls, and left us wanting more.

The service is outstanding, and what I found really good, is that all the staff paid attention to all the tables, and spontaneously reached tables at the slightest hint of a guest's needs. I'd say the service here is the best that I have experienced in restaurants in a very long time!

Full marks for the service and food :-))))) Less than full marks for the portion sizes of the...