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Craving a curry?
Who can resist piping hot, fragrant Indian food? Not us! From creamy korma and spicy vindaloos, to endless baskets of buttery naan, there’s no better comfort food! It may not be the easiest to cook at home though (think of the number of spices that go into a simple dal), so thankfully for all of us, there are plenty of Indian restaurants that you and your kids can head to for a satisfying meal. Here are some of our favourites…
New Restaurants
Private Kitchens
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Old Favourites
Indians and non-Indians never seem to agree on what is good Indian food (and with chicken tikka masala being one of the national dishes of the UK, this cuisine has crossed many borders!), so we make a special mention of those few restaurants that have won universal approval.
Hong Kong
We have to start with this one. After all, it’s the only Indian restaurant in Hong Kong with a Michelin star in the 2020 Guide. Headed by Chef Palash Mitra, it’s insanely good. The fish Amritsari is a must-try and comes recommended by even the most difficult-to-please Indian food connoisseurs. It is pricey though, so you may want to take your kids there only on a special occasion.
New Punjab Club, 34 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2368 1223, reservations@newpunjabclub.com, www.newpunjabclub.com
This restaurant by Dining Concepts is a universal favourite because it’s so consistently good! It has also found itself a spot in this year’s Michelin Guide. It offers a great buffet lunch deal that’s perfect for office-goers in the area, but what we love most about it is its fabulous Sunday brunch. Watch your kids devour the samosas, kebabs, biryani and more, but ask them to save space for the piping hot jalebis in the end. You’re welcome!
Bombay Dreams, 4/F, Carfield Building, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2971 0001, bombaydreams@diningconcepts.com, www.diningconcepts.com/restaurants/Bombay-Dreams
A relatively-new restaurant by the Pirata Group, this restaurant is tucked away on Wyndham Street. It’s been offering a child-friendly weekend brunch for a while now, but it recently upped the game with a play area for the little ones. The starters are nice, the Aamwala cocktail is great for parents who want a drink, and the staff are very courteous.
Chaiwala, Basement, No. 43-55, Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2362 8988, info@chaiwala.hk, www.chaiwala.hk
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Jashan has been around for more than 10 years and recently got a menu upgrade with guest Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi. Try the mushroom galouti and the Bengali daab chindi (prawn curry served in a coconut). Also, don’t skimp on dessert – the Gulab Jamun and Gaajar Halwa are presented in a unique and fun way here.
Jashan, 1/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 3105 5300/3105 5311, info@jashan.com.hk, www.jashan.com.hk
This is an oldie but a goodie. Serving up a delicious array of traditional curries and clay oven specialities, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is always lively. It’s ideal for big groups and family parties.
Jo Jo Indian Restaurant, 2/F Davis House, 37-39 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2527 3776, www.jojofood.com
A no-frills kind of place, this is a great spot to bring family and friends who are new to Indian dining. The best thing about most Indian restaurants is that the friendly staff will always go out of their way to accommodate children. Aladin Mess is no different – there’s no lift access but the restaurant staff are happy to help with strollers and can create spice-free menu variations for kids.
Aladin Mess, 2/F, 60 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2808 0250, www.aladinmess.com
Also worth mentioning here are some of the Sassy Mama team favourites. We love eating at Namaste Kitchen and Chautari Restaurant (Indian + Nepalese) in Sheung Wan. Many of us are fans of Clay Oven in Kennedy Town, as well as the new wrap-and-roll joint, Hunger Strike, on Bonham Road and Indian Spices on High Street – both in Sai Ying Pun. Most of these are small, hole-in-the-wall places and are great choices to stop and refuel in the middle of a busy workday or while out and about with the children.
Kowloon
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant
Surprisingly, it isn’t as common to find restaurants offering good South Indian staples like dosa (like a rice and dal crepe), idli (same ingredients, but served as steamed buns) and wada (fried dal batter balls – simply delicious!) in Hong Kong. That’s why Sangeetha’s vegetarian fare comes as a such a welcome change. Your children will love the set dosas, the puri masala and can round the meal off with pineapple kesari.
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2640 2123/2643 9123, info@sangeetha.com.hk, www.sangeetha.com.hk
This restaurant is another Hong Kong oldie and has been serving delicious and authentic Indian food since 1972. It moved into a new building this year, but the food remains reliably good.
Gaylord, 5/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2376 1001, www.mayfare.com.hk/gaylord
Tsim Sha Tsui is the place to go for authentic, vegetarian South Indian fare and Saravana Bhavan is another favourite. This super-successful franchise has restaurants in more than 24 countries around the world. Your kids will love the mini idlis here. Challenge them to eat them all (16 in a plate!) and let them have a go at an authentic South Indian thali (don’t forget to get a before-after shot for the ‘gram!).
Saravana Bhavan, 1/F, Katherine House, No.53-55 Chatham Road, South Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2736 1127/2736 1128, hsbhongkong@saravanabhavan.com, www.saravanabhavan.com
Just in case you thought South Indian cuisine is only vegetarian, think again! Anjappar, a well-known restaurant chain with 85 branches worldwide, is now in Hong Kong. It serves Chettinad cuisine (native to a region in India, with a lot of flavourful spices), so look for the Chettinad items on the menu, though it also offers North Indian and Chinese fare.
Anjappar, 2/F, Multifield Plaza, 3 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3428 5757, WhatsApp: 6999 5545, info@anjappar.com.hk, www.anjappar.com.hk
Established in 1981, Woodlands International Restaurant still hasn’t lost its charm with the tourists. Serving mainly South Indian cuisine (along with chaats and curries), the service is great and the atmosphere is ideal for casual outings.
Woodlands International Restaurant, UG 16-17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2369 3718, www.woodlandshk.com
Are you a fan of Indian street food? If you and your children love the mix of tanginess and sweetness that makes these dishes unique, head to this chaat-specialist restaurant. The presentation is quirky and sure to get a laugh (some dishes are served on mini rickshaw models, with others inside a steam iron!).
Kailash Parbat, 302, 3/F, Multifield Plaza, 3-7 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong,
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New Territories
Folks in Tung Chung don’t need to travel too far for their curry fix. The Curry Lounge Restaurant and Bar is good for casual, family dinners and also has fun monthly quizzes on Wednesdays for families with general knowledge geeks.
Curry Lounge Restaurant & Bar, G/F, SeaView Crescent, 8 Tung Chung, Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2960 1977/2960 0911, enquiry@currylounge.com, www.currylounge.com
This branch of Jo Jo Indian Restaurant opened in 2005 in Sai Kung and includes a bar as well. As in its Wan Chai branch, we highly recommend the “Manglorian Chilli Chicken” and the selection of tandoori bites.
Bacco/ Jo Jo, G/F, 21 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, 2574 7477, www.bacco.hk
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New Restaurants
A new restaurant on the scene that’s getting rave reviews, especially for its butter chicken and salmon sizzler. Take the kids up for a hike up to the Peak, let them run around at the playground there to work up a substantial appetite for the food here. The service is amazing and the attention to detail when it comes to design, the server’s uniforms and the menu is impeccable. One tip – the prawn vindaloo is seriously spicy! Try it only if you’re adventurous.
Rajasthan Rifles, G/F, The Peak Galleria, The Peak, Hong Kong, 2388 8874, info@rajasthanrifles.com, www.rajasthanrifles.com
A new restaurant from the Mayfare Group that’s behind Gaylord, this restaurant in Wan Chai offers a more modern and fusion-style of Indian cuisine. Named after the spice mix that’s popular in the South of India, the signature dish is Gunpowder Chicken – call it an Indian version of spicy fried chicken. There’s plenty that your kids can enjoy, from the ever-popular dal makhani to a tangy and refreshing mango and avocado bhel.
Gunpowder, G/F, J Residence, 18 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2827 7777, www.mayfare.com.hk/gunpowder
This one is a collaboration between the teams of Black Salt and Brut! in Sai Ying Pun. It offers tapas-sized portions of food from Pondicherry, a unique and quaint coastal city in India that’s steeped in its French colonial past. Currently in its soft launch phase, it will open and operate at maximum capacity from early 2020.
Pondi, 14 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2761 4900, info@pondi.hk, www.facebook.com/pondihk
Private Kitchens
The complaint many Indians have about restaurants is that they lose the delicious comfort of home-cooked food. Which is why many Indian private kitchens are so popular. One of the most popular ones is Masala Bay, a Clearwater Bay-based home catering business, along with a private kitchen. Bookings are required in advance for a minimum of eight people (maximum 22 indoors and 30 outdoors). Curry Bay in Wong Chuk Hang is another option worth considering. A search on Plate Culture shows as many as eight options for Indian home chefs! Of these, Giri’s in Discovery Bay is well known for its great food and delightful host. While Geeta’s Kitchen has also built up a loyal customer base, not only for its private kitchen but for its catering services too.
Masala Bay, Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong, 9306 3967, masalabay@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/Masala-Bay
Curry Bay, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, 9310 6369, www.facebook.com/currybaykitchen
Giri’s Exclusive Indian Feast, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, contact here
Geeta’s Kitchen, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, contact here
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on 12, October 2016 and was most recently updated by Anita Balagopalan on 26, December 2019.
