Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food — Restaurant in Eastbourne

Friendly staff but rude chef’s

Had just arrived in Eastbourne, found an Indian restaurant that we could grab for a quick takeaway since we know it would be closing in 30/45 mins so we had anticipated the worse if we couldn’t grab a table. We noticed on Google reviews there had a very high rating hence why we had opt for this place to eat from.

Customer Service: Luckily the two staff upon entering were very welcoming and friendly, in allowing us to eat in the restaurant despite them very near to closing time. 7/10

What we ordered:

Lamb Rogan josh - very surprising to see that you can chose the meat to go with the rojan josh curry. There is flavour to the dish, the lamb itself is tender which you can tell it was cooked in a pressure cooker, whereas traditionally the lamb rojan josh is cooked in a one pot and very slowly so that the spices and the meat can be bind together to give that aromatic and flavour to the meat and spices and the gravy. 3/10

Chana Malasa - Overall the dish is nice but as enjoying the flavours, there are lots of shortcuts taken in preparing the food. For example the sauce was the same as Rogan Josh instead they had adding turmeric and coriander which if one knows how to properly make curries the flavourful, yet traditional ways does not make a whole curry base different. 6/10

Goan Calami - Our apologies but my partner is from Goa and this is more of a salt and pepper fried squid served with a slice of lemon and Mayo, which unfortunately does not mean it is a “Goan style”. A laughable dish which unfortunately does not represent any part of Goa but more of a western style cooking. 1/10

Paratha - It tasted fine but it was quite oily when served and for the size and the portion as you only get served one paratha for £3.50 for just a small plate it not quite worth it. It feels like there were there to make profit than getting people to come back constantly. 5/10

Overall, the food wasn’t filling honestly but definitely hope this would change.

The waiter himself had asked how our food was, so we had opened did not say it wasn’t good the food was just good, and we offered them our opinions on the curries as my partner is a chef himself and wanted the best for other chef’s.

The waiter himself had translated it to their two chefs who had been standing at the bar staring at us uncomfortable maybe due to wanting us out of the restaurant as they wanted to close up soon, which is understandable. One of the chef said in Hindi whilst discussing to the other chef, ‘what does he know about food’ the waiter and other chef laughed saying ‘as if he know how to cook food’ thinking my partner knew nothing about cooking traditional Indian cuisine.

Unfortunately that comment the chef had made luckily my partner knew Hindi, and decided not to say anything because at the end of the day, no one should ever judge a book by it’s cover.

Advice for the management: When speaking in another language about customers please do not do it in front of the customers as they probably might end up knowing what you are saying.

Would we would come back again? Maybe only if there is any change but not really for the food currently...

After a long time of watching this restaurant. My wife, and I, finally plucked up the courage to give this place a try.  We were not disappointed.

The restaurant is very clean. Tables lightly set and the chairs are comfortable. Lighting is pretty good. No problem reading the menu. The toilets are compact and exceptionally clean. This was a very pleasant surprise. An area that many an Indian inspired restaurant leaves out. The kitchen is partially open plan so you can see some of the food being prepared and, that the cleanliness extends there too.

The bar area is in the corner and on show too.

The menu itself is pretty clear, concise, and brief. Not a lot here to get yourself complicated with. That said. If you are of Indian or similar background. There are lots of items here that you would be familiar with. Maybe some you would even get excited about. If you are new to the concept of Indian Street food, and been tempted to give it a try. This is the place for you.

It is important to understand what this restaurant is aiming to achieve. They are trying to introduce and build upon the Indian Street Food concept. This is really a variation of Tapas. You are best to select a mixture of dishes and sample pieces of them all, over conversation and drinks of your choice. Very informal. To build on the Indian street atmosphere, the artwork is Bollywood posters, and the flatware is traditional stainless steel plates and beakers.

The food is good quality and, indeed tasty with good presentation. But although inspired by Indian Street Food. If you think you will be transported back to the tastes of Mumbai or Delhi. This is not going to happen. The food here is based on, and not a reproduction of traditional Street Food. It is created to a little more of a European taste. It is not fiery hot. This does not detract in any way from its quality or origin.

We had a good mix from the selection. Of note, I will say the Dosa was very good, but a little expensive for what it is, and in comparison to other likewise restaurants. That said you can’t get one anywhere else in Eastbourne so it’s a cornered market.

We met the owner who was very nice and showed a real interest in all the guests that came in while we were there.

Our visit was better than expected, and we did enjoy the food. I’m sure we will be back...

Expensive and a strange 15 pound per person rule We visited Tuktuk on a trip to Eastbourne in anticipation of having some Indian food. When we reached the shop, their small space was full and the owner asked us to either book and come after 9pm as they have open slots. We were group of 4 and we booked and reached the restaurant by 9 and wanted to order starters, bread and main curry. When we ordered service guy told us there is a strange rule of 15 pound per person. We were taken aback as it was very expensive for us as we already ordered starters and mains. We asked if they can make an exception and he went back to check with owner. Owner came to us and asked to order some drinks and some more items to sum up to 60 pounds. We told him we do not need that much food and we don’t drink and we can order some deserts after we see how our food fills up us. He was so adamant and asked us to rethink and order for remaining amount. This is a strange rule which I have never heard anywhere else. Even we have Indian restaurants with michelin stars in London which does not have such random rules. I am not sure why they are mandating the customers to buy for 15 pound per person- even 10 pound sounds reasonable. Buying what they want should and not wasting what they ordered be the ideal motto. But not sure where these restaurant management got this unreasonable idea to maintain their target. Anyways the owner was not for negotiation and we had to leave the restaurant without having food after 9pm in a tourist place like Eastbourne. Very...