I recently had the pleasure of indulging in Southern Indian cuisine, specifically dosa and biryani, and I must say it was an exceptional culinary experience.
The dosas were a true delight, with their thin, crispy texture and a delicious filling that offered a perfect balance of flavors and spices. Whether it was the classic masala dosa with its flavorful potato filling or the variety of dosas with different ingredients, each bite was a burst of South Indian goodness.
The biryani was equally impressive. The aromatic blend of spices, tender meat or vegetables, and fragrant rice made for a heavenly combination. The layers of flavors in every spoonful were a testament to the skill and expertise that went into its preparation.
What stood out the most was the authenticity of the dishes. It felt like a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of South India, right on my plate. The restaurant's commitment to using high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes was evident in every bite.
To start, the 'dosa' was a revelation. Thin and crispy, with the perfect balance of savory notes, it showcased the chef's expertise in crafting this South Indian staple. The accompanying coconut chutney and sambar were the ideal complements, adding layers of taste and texture to the dish.
The 'gazar ka halwa' was a sweet surprise. The traditional Indian dessert, made from grated carrots, was rich, warm, and brimming with comforting sweetness. Its presentation was homely and inviting, invoking nostalgic memories of homemade treats.
For a refreshing twist, I tried the 'coconut shake.' It was a tropical delight, blending creamy coconut milk with just the right amount of sweetness. Sipping on this cool and creamy beverage transported me to a serene beachside paradise.
However, the true star of the meal was the 'mutton curry.' The tender chunks of mutton simmered in a flavorful sauce were a testament to the chef's mastery of spices. Each bite was a burst of robust and aromatic goodness. Paired with fragrant basmati rice or a crispy dosa, it was a taste of pure bliss.
The service at the restaurant was impeccable, with attentive staff who guided us through the menu and provided recommendations. They truly enhanced our dining experience.
The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting, with touches of South Indian decor creating an immersive atmosphere. It was a perfect setting for savoring these South Indian delights.
In conclusion, this South Indian restaurant in Japan is a hidden gem that brings the authentic flavors of South India to the heart of Japan. From dosa to gazar ka halwa, coconut shake, and the mouthwatering mutton curry, every dish was a testament to the culinary excellence of the establishment. I left with a satisfied palate and a longing to return for another...
Read moreEDIT: I made a typo earlier regarding the fish. While the fish did have skin, that was acceptable. The actual issue was with the Kondapur Chicken, which still had the skin on. Chicken should not be served with skin in this dish.
As for the owner's comment about the staff being busy and possibly appearing to text while taking orders: when we visited, there were only about two other tables occupied. It wasn’t busy. The server took the order of someone who arrived after us and continued to ignore us.
We had also told the server two dishes we wanted to order. They typed the first dish into their phone, then paused for nearly a minute, likely texting/reading, and repeated the first dish again as if they hadn’t heard the second item. It came across as inattentive and distracted service.
I also feel the owner's response is trying to turn a response to criticism into a sales pitch, advertising their various products without addressing the issue first. We were required to purchase drinks with our meal, which was disappointing as the beverages were overly sweet with artificial flavoring and noticeably watered down. The alcoholic options lacked any real kick and barely contained alcohol.
For the fish dishes, ordering is done by weight, but most of the available options were of low quality. None of the items we tried resembled authentic Mangalorean cuisine. The Rawa Fish, for instance, was bland. It tasted more like plain breaded fish without any real spices.
The chicken curry was also underwhelming. It came with bone-in chicken that hadn't absorbed any flavor from the curry. The skin was left on the chicken, seemingly to appeal to Japanese preferences, which doesn't align with traditional Indian culinary practices. Only a few dishes were passable at best.
Service left a lot to be desired. Despite repeatedly trying to get someone's attention, we were ignored. When someone finally came to take our order, they began texting on their phone while we were still speaking, which felt quite...
Read moreLow quality food. Very high price. Unprofessional Nepali staff. Highly not recommended. Even after buying dinner worth 3000 Yen for myself alone the waiter forced me to buy an extra drink because “One drink to sit is a rule. My manager is forcing me. You must buy.”
I have been to more expensive restaurants but here I felt like even roadside eateries have more character and taste than this one. Paneer tikka masala was dripping in oil, I am not joking I took out 1 small cup of oil out of it(check photo). I could fill half cup of chai(which I had to buy because it is a strict rule of restaurant to buy atleast 1 drink.. jokers) with oil.
Better go to other restaurants and have good tasty meal. Highly stay away.
Edit: I happen to see the answer by the owner. It’s really pathetic to see how arrogant they are. Pictures speak thousands of words, improve your food quality and simply hire better staff. Indian staff rather than Nepali if your budget allows. Amazing how they demean their customer feedback and show themselves as if they’re some sort of big thing. Regarding the personal remark that the owner thought would be appropriate to make in the answer, one of us only had a single drink because she came from a dinner party and I had full dinner as usual. And total was 4360 yen for 2 soft drinks and rice and one curry. Money is no issue because I dine mostly outside only & I know how it is but the unprofessional staff behavior to kind of force to buy drinks is too rowdy. Anyway expecting professional behavior in core heart of Tokyo (competing Japanese hospitality) where Nepali are pretending to run Indian restaurant is way too much I think. Giving quality of a roadside Dhabha and acting arrogant is what the trademark of this restaurant is. No wonder why this restaurant’s rating is so low, my mistake to...
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