Image Credit: Kinara Group
A good curry can be comforting, warm and bursting with flavours.
Indian curries are perceived to be spicy but this needn’t be so. Indian food uses many spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, etc. But not every dish uses chilli, the food is expected to be more flavourful than fiery. There is a world inside the term Indian food.
With more than 40 cuisines in the country, no two dishes are the same, yet the world doesn’t know much beyond chicken tikka masala and in Singapore, thosai (which is actually called dosa in India). In fact, the Indian food one often finds in Singapore is usually from a southern state of India, called Tamil Nadu.
This cuisine is very different from the curries of the north which are more popular across the world. We have selected a handful of places you should head to if you’re craving delicious curry and soft pillowy naan to go with it.
AWADH AUTHENTIC ROYAL INDIAN LUCKNOW CUISINE
AWADH cuisine is known for its regal savoury flavours and now it is available as the genuine gourmet cuisine in Singapore. AWADHI promise you an exquisite experience packed with delectable flavours and fragrances that will take you on a journey of Royal AWADH. he Nawabs of the Awadhi era took their veggies seriously with bawarchis concocting different preparations based on the gastronomic preferences of that period.
A. The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, Singapore 238843, #01-33H
S. www.facebook.com/awadhdining/
THEVAR
Image Credit: Thevar Facebook Page
Tucking into a Chettinad Chicken Roti or delish Iberico Pork Chop with Medjool dates, tamarind and mango mustard was just another Sunday for us before the circuit breaker. We’re glad Thevar is delivering their sumptuous food along with their signature cocktails, the standout for us being Rasam as it goes in harmony with the food. We do recommend getting the bucket of 5 of their cocktails, you must try them all.
W. thevar.sg/
S. www.facebook.com/Thevar-27148824
YANTRA
Image Credit: 'Yantra - Defining Indian Cuisine' Facebook Page
We always, always end up ordering far too much when we pick Yantra for our Indian fix. The reason is their kickass street food, sweets and quintessential North Indian fare like parathas with the works, Amritsari Chole and kebabs. We love pairing our dishes with their dahi bhalle and ending it with their heavenly homemade rosogolla.
A. Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, #01-28 247933
S. www.facebook.com/YantraRestaurant/
RANG MAHAL
Image Credit: 'Rang Mahal Restaurants' Facebook Page
Rang Mahal has been around since 1971 and is our go-to place for a delicious Lamb Roganjosh or a bowl of comfort aka Rajasthani Gatte Ki Sabzi. Do tuck into their delish Chaat & Curry set as it lets you indulge in a starter or chaat, a curry with a choice of rice or naan and kachumber raita, a full Indian meal. Plus, they’re donating a meal to a Covid-19 affected family on each order, all the more reason for ordering right away.
A. 7 Raffles Boulevard, Level 3 039595
S. www.facebook.com/RangMahalGroup/
MUSTARD
Image Credit: Mustard - Flavours of Bengal & Punjab Facebook Page
Located in Little India, Mustard stands apart from the rest as it serves food from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. Bengali food is characterized by the use of mustard (oil/ seeds, etc.) and the flavours are mildly pungent. The food at Mustard is fantastic, especially if you stick to the Bengali part of the menu and don’t venture into the Punjabi section (leave that bit to Kinara below). Must trys include chingri malai curry (a creamy prawn curry served inside a coconut) and maacher cutlet with kashundi (crispy fish cutlets served with Bengal’s very own version of grainy mustard sauce).
S. www.facebook.com/MustardRestaurantSingapore/
MUTHU’S CURRY
Image Credit: Muthu's Curry Facebook Page
Dipping a piece of naan in fish head curry is every Indian seafood lover’s delight. Muthu’s Curry delivers sumptuous food like kebabs, chicken, mutton, and seafood and amongst these, Muthu’s Prawns are top-notch. This established restaurant in Singapore knows how to hit all the right spots when it comes to Indian meat gravies with fresh bread to mop it all up.
A. 138 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218591
S. www.facebook.com/muthuscurry/
BISMILLAH BIRYANI
Image Credit: Bismillah Biryani Restaurant Facebook Page
There is no way we would not include a piping hot biryani while ordering Indian food. The craving for biryani is unlike any other and the best place to order it is Bismillah Biryani. We love the variety of biryani they have and dig their special Lamb Shoulder Dum Biryani with a side of extra fried onions, Bliss.
A. 50 Dunlop St, Singapore 209379
S. www.facebook.com/bismillahbiryanisg/
KINARA @ HOLLAND VILLAGE
Image Credit: Kinara Group
For good Punjabi, Mughlai or North Indian food, you must try Kinara in Holland Village. One of the very few places on the island which doesn’t spice up its curries to unbearable heights, the food at Kinara is similar to what you would find in Delhi. You could also order in if you stay in the vicinity, via one of the delivery apps like Uber Eats, Foodpanda, etc. The butter chicken is better than most (not sweet, neither too creamy). Another great combination is tandoori chicken, dal makhana and garlic naan.
INFORMATION
A. 24 Lor Mambong, Singapore 277683
S. www.facebook.com/KinaragroupofRes
JAGGI’S NORTH INDIAN CUISINE
Image Credit: Jaggi's Northern Indian Cuisine Facebook Page
Nothing pretentious about this place located in the lane behind Race Course Rd, it is all about the food. And with nothing to hide behind, all the dishes at Jaggi’s are laid out in front of you (canteen-style) and you can merely point and choose while ordering. Notoriously affordable, the food is honest and homely. Pick a couple of tikkas as appetizers (depending on what is available that day), a non-vegetarian curry, one vegetarian dish and a dal. Team that with hot tandoori roti (with butter if you’re feeling indulgent) and you have yourself a hearty meal.
INFORMATION
S. www.facebook.com/i.love.jaggis/
RAS – THE ESSENCE OF INDIA
Video Credit: Clarke Quay
Set amidst the twinkling lights of Clarke Quay, Ras is popular with tourists as it offers an enviable spot on the water’s edge. The alfresco dining is a huge hit and the food is fairly good too, albeit a little on the pricey side. If you want to take guests out for an Indian meal and show them this pretty part of Singapore too, then Ras is the answer.
INFORMATION
A. 3D River Valley Road, #01-05A 179023
S. www.facebook.com/Ras-the-Essence-
KHANSAMA TANDOORI RESTAURANT
Image Credit: Khansama Tandoori Restaurant Facebook Page
Poles apart from Ras in terms of ambience, Khansama occupies a corner of the street on Serangoon Road. Tables are laid out right there in the shaded alley of the building and you enjoy your food as shoppers walk by. Khansama arguably serves the best butter chicken in Singapore and you can pair that with paneer bhurji (cottage-cheese crumble cooked with vegetables and spices) and breads of your choice.
INFORMATION
S. www.facebook.com/khansamarestauren
TANDOOR
Image Credit: Tandoor Facebook Page
If you prefer something a bit classier, go to Tandoor located in the basement level of Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre. Elegant interiors, polished cutlery and a show kitchen where you can watch your tikkas being grilled, Tandoor is all about sophistication. The one standout in the menu is mango curry, a dish which is rarely ever found in restaurants, even in India. A tangy mouthful, the curry is addictive and delightful.
INFORMATION
W. singaporeorchard.holidayinn.com/wine-dine/tandoor-indian-restaurant
S. www.facebook.com/pg/TandoorResta
SHAHI MAHARANI
Image Credit: Shahi Maharani North Indian Restaurant Facebook Page
Lastly, if you’re the kind of person who likes to try many flavours and not stick to one or two dishes, the lunch buffet at Shahi Maharani is perfect for you. You must try the chaats here, a variety of street food dishes that North India adores. The crispy papdi chaat is especially scrumptious.
INFORMATION
A. Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road, # 03 – 21 179103
T. +65 62358840
