Experience Refined Indian Dining in Little India Singapore at GUPSHUP

Tucked beneath The Serangoon House, GUPSHUP is a “must do” whether for a date night or a large group get together. With four boutique restaurants under their belt, The Garcha Group have certainly created a stunning experience for guests who visit.

I knew it was different as I turned the corner to the English garden-style furniture on the veranda. Leopard print chairs at red tables by green pillars surrounded by a plethora of roses on wallpaper.

Housed in the basement, I was delighted as lift doors opened to a hidden dining gem. Exclaiming at its beauty, wallpaper depicting Indian scenes with rather ornate, individualistic sofas and enclaves of different spaces, I was so glad to be here.

Tonight I was going to “gupshup” (conversation in Hindi) with a group of friends. It was after all Saturday night and a mini Izakaya style of small plates had just launched. Small plates of many varieties in an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Seated at a long table fronting the bar, I ordered a “Desi Sour” (akin to a Whisky Sour) to activate my taste buds. Crafted cocktails and mocktails aplenty with attentive bar service, set the pace for our night as friends arrived.

The great thing about free-flow buffets served to the table is no need for decisions! Crispy fried spiced okra began this gourmet Indian tapas feast. More appetisers of Pani Poori (hollow semolina shells filled with crushed potatoes, chickpeas & tamarind water) and Lotus Papdi Chaat (crunchies topped with a yoghurt & pomegranate mint sauce).

So tempting to overeat at this point as everything was so delicious and we could ask for more servings but we resisted knowing what was to come. More rounds of drinks and ready for mains, we began with Keema on mini dosas. So delicious, I can say the temptation to have more was hard to push back. Just saying….

A South Indian chicken Chettinad curry, chicken 65 deep fried with curry leaves & chilli served with Tandoori Kulcha ( a spicy bread that turned out to be a hit with us) gave us a heat rush, inspiring us to have more.

My favourite of the night was the Gosht Seekh Kebab – minced lamb marinated in spices and grilled. Loving to cook, I wondered what spices went into this to make it so flavoursome! It definitely was a wow created by the renowned Chef Jolly.

With more than thirty years’ experience in high end restaurants including being a judge on MasterChef India, I could taste the depth of this food.

Our group were bursting at the seams! It was time for dessert, the game changer that has everyone say yes despite the full tummy. Kulfi Falooda (pistachio, cardamom ice-cream layered with vermicelli and other condiments) was a hit that cooled everyone’s palate down.

A totally delicious night is what friends named it! We were enamoured with food, service, ambience and style. Perhaps you may want to try it?

GupShup's Great Indian Feast Will Make You Rethink Indian Dining

An unlimited journey through India's most beloved street food in Singapore's most stunning colonial setting.

Entering GupShup feels like discovering a secret you can't wait to share. Situated in the basement of The Serangoon House hotel on Serangoon Road, it’s a truly unique Indian restaurant where Chef Jolly (Surjan Singh) has crafted something exceptional.

You know you're in for a treat the moment the elevator doors open. The basement transforms into a colourful wonderland thanks to legendary French designer Jacques Garcia, the same mastermind behind Paris's iconic Hotel Costes and restoration work at the Louvre.

Colourful fabric seats decorated with intricate bird scenes blend seamlessly with hand-painted murals that continue the hotel's colonial Indian theme. It's gorgeous without being stuffy, elegant without being intimidating.

Chef Jolly, the same MasterChef India judge and former Taj Palace veteran, has created something brilliant here. The idea is simple but clever: "gupshup" means casual chit-chat in Hindi, and that's exactly what this place promotes. It's Indian street food elevated to an art form, perfect for sharing stories over small plates and drinks.

The real star is their new Great Indian Feast, an unlimited dining experience that's like taking a culinary tour across India, all from your table. For lunch between September 1st and October 15th, they're offering a 1-for-1promotion, which is pretty incredible value.

Let's talk about the food, because this is where GupShup shines. The chaat and street food appetisers are like Indian tapas, perfect for grazing and chatting. The Pani-Poori alone will make you understand why street food is India's pride and joy.

These crispy semolina shells arrive filled with crushed potatoes and chickpeas, accompanied by sweet tangy tamarind and spicy mint shots that you pour in yourself. It's interactive, it's fun, and it's absolutely delicious. I bet you get more of these!

The Bhindi Amchur (crispy fried okra) is simple, but Chef Jolly's preparation turns this humble vegetable into something addictive. Each tender okra piece has the perfect crispy exterior. The Dahl Lotus Papdi Chaat is quite textural with lotus crisps providing crunch, crushed sweet potato adding earthiness, all brought together with yogurt and pomegranate-mint sauce that's both cooling and vibrant.

Small Plates, Big Flavours

The small plates section is where the kitchen shines. The Chicken Keema Kal Dosa arrives as delicate crepes topped with spicy minced chicken; deeply flavourful but not overwhelming. The Potato Kal Dosa offers the same crepe treatment but this time filled with spicy mashed potato that's a classic comfort food.

The Gosht Seekh Kebab, minced lamb skewers, are grilled to perfection and charred just right. Each bite offers a depth of flavour that results from skilled technique and high-quality ingredients.

Vegetarians shouldn’t miss the Paneer Tawa Masala. The cheese cubes sit in a caramelised onion and tomato gravy that's rich yet light.

The Chicken Chettinad Curry deserves special mention. This South Indian specialty brings serious heat and complexity, with layers of spices that unfold with each spoonful. It's the kind of curry that makes you slow down and really taste what you're eating.

The meal concludes beautifully with Kulfi Falooda, an evaporated milk ice cream served with falooda vermicelli and raspberry sauce; think of it as a refined Indian sundae. The Elaneer Payasam, a chilled rice and coconut pudding, offers a refreshing finish that naturally cleanses your palate.

My passionfruit, pineapple juice, and soda water mocktail was the perfect companion, refreshing and light enough to complement the bold flavours without competing with them.

Restaurant manager Hari ensures everything runs smoothly, and the chance to meet Harpreet Bedi, managing director of the Garcha Hotels group (which includes sister properties The Vagabond Club, Duxton Reserve, and Maxwell Reserve), adds a personal touch that elevates the whole experience.

The Verdict

GupShup is a celebration of Indian street food. Those who know my passion for street food will understand when I say this is street food with soul, elevated without losing its essence. The unlimited format means you can try everything without commitment anxiety, and the colonial setting makes every meal feel like an occasion.

"Chef Jolly has created something magical—it's like having the best of India's street food scene delivered by a master chef in a Jacques Garcia-designed palace."