By Deepika – The Vegetarian Voyager
Some of the Best Indian Restaurants in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, like New York City, has a high restaurant closure rate. A few places I’ve been to have since closed, and new ones have popped up. One of the cuisines available galore in Hong Kong is Indian. Indian subcontinent food, including Nepalese and Sri Lankan are just as easily available. Cooking extensively at home, and doing a fairly decent job at that, I think I have higher expectations from Indian restaurants than other cuisines. In my opinion, here are some of the best Indian restaurants in Hong Kong, and certainly ones that I’ve enjoyed. If you have any comments or questions about any of these, or you think this list should be amended, feel free to leave a comment below!
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Map: Best Indian Restaurants in Hong Kong
If you want to try all the best Indian restaurants in Hong Kong, you can plan your route using this map! I’ve divided them into ones located on Kowloon Side and ones located on Hong Kong Island.
Kowloon Side: Best Indian Restaurants in Hong Kong
Branto
Website: Branto
Address: 1/F, No. 9 Lock Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
For a bit more than a homestyle meal that will have you coming back again and again, look no further than Branto. I’ve been here a bunch of times and haven’t been disappointed yet. You have a plethora of options to choose from, from whole set meals called thalis to street fare to curries and lentils of choice. And what I mean by homestyle is that it might still be a notch above what you prepare at home. I recommend trying their Gujarati thali here. If you aren’t a big eater, this thali will suffice for two.
Kailash Parbat
Website: Kailash Parbat
Address: 302, 3/F, Multifield Plaza, 3-7 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
A popular chain for Indian fast food – While I wasn’t as impressed with their food or service, you can try this for their local Indian street foods in a lively and colorful ambience. I recommend you try any of the Indian ‘chaat(s)’ here.
Saravanaa Bhavan
Website: Saravanaa Bhavan
Address: 1/F, Katherine House, 53-55 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui
I’ve known this chain since my New York days. I come here for their kaima idli and kara dosa. South India is quite complex. Every region and state offers their own twist to cooking the same things. And I prefer their chutneys and sambar on the taste.
Gaylord Indian Restaurant
Website: Gaylord Indian Restaurant
Address: 5/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Serving the Hong Kong community since 1972, Gaylord’s has stood the test of time. However, since moving from their old location, their new digs now has a more modern, elegant and updated feel. Recommended by the Micheline Guide for good reason, they serve all the Indian classics that you love but often with a twist. Take their Avocado and Mango Dhai Poori as one example or their Pao Bhaji Bruschetta as another. Their Palak Patta Chat pleases the mouth with its crispy fried spinach leaf fritters topped with an onion and tomato salsa. And if you’re looking for a scrumptious yet fiery treat, make sure to enjoy their Lamb Vindaloo!
No prizes for guessing that my recommendations for Sangeetha are idli, medu vada and korma. And if you didn’t know, these South Indian places are known for their filter coffee.
Sangeetha
Website: Sangeetha
Address: UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, East Tsim Sha Tsui
Hands down the best idli I’ve eaten till date, India or elsewhere. Also the best korma (coconut milk curry). The medu vadas have always been crispy, crunchy on the outside and cooked inside. No wonder we’re here at least once a month. Dosas are a no-brainer at any South Indian restaurant, and they offer a variety here. While they do offer much Northern Indian fare, I’d suggest you stick to the South Indian fare here.
No prizes for guessing that my recommendations for Sangeetha are idli, medu vada and korma. And if you didn’t know, these South Indian places are known for their filter coffee.
Chungking Mansions
Website: Chungking Mansions
Address: Chungking Mansion, 36-44 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
I feel my post would be incomplete without a mention of the Chungking Mansions. Featuring guest rooms, and nearly a dozen Indian sub-continent eateries, jewelry shops, clothing shops, foreign exchanges and what not, it should cater to your food buds quite well.
Though I must also admit that I haven’t felt as adventurous and only tried the Smrat Food Shop and Restaurant there. The food shop does Indian street foods very well. And the small restaurant set up in what looks like an apartment does decent vegetarian food. I really liked the kachoris here.
Hong Kong Island: Best Indian Restaurants in Hong Kong
New Punjab Club
Website: New Punjab Club
Address: 34 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
This restaurant from the Black Sheep Restaurants group is, till date, my most favorite Indian restaurant outside of India. I’ve only been there once, but that evening turned out great. Their tandoori breads were divine. Their spinach curry is the best I’ve had till date. And this was my verdict after having recently visited Punjab then, and having eaten local foods all day, three days in a row.
Their bathroom, the music, service, everything matched to the amazing food I had there.
Chaiwala
Website: Chaiwala
Address: Basement, No. 43-55, Wyndham Street, Central
Chaiwala offers a great vibe, good for a date night or group dinner with friends where you can enjoy Indian food with a contemporary take and presentation. Cocktails to go with your meal.
I recommend trying their Palak Patta, Shakarkandi Chaat but make sure to eat it as soon as it arrives, lest risk it going chewy as it gets cold. Their version is of a snack with spinach leaves coated in a chickpea flour batter, fried along with sweet potato crisps, spiced yoghurt dressing & house chutneys. The presentation on this was ace and the chutneys and yogurt dressing all came together harmoniously on both taste and looks.
Bombay Dreams
Website: Bombay Dreams
Address: 4/F, Carfield Building, 77 Wyndham Street, Central
Bombay Dreams is one of the older restaurants in Hong Kong and a popular one at that. While my first visit on a Sunday night didn’t turn out as good, a buffet lunch on Sunday a few weeks later was nothing short of great. From their breads to curries to lentils, appetizers included, again, everything here is great. If you’re the one who wants to try a little bit of everything, I’d recommend coming here for their buffet lunch.
Gunpowder Indian RestoBar
Website: Gunpowder Indian RestoBar
Address: G/F, J Residence, 18 Ship Street, Wan Chai
If you’re looking for your classic Indian dishes, this isn’t the place to go. However, if you’re in the mood for some delicious and intelligently designed Indian fusion set in a contemporary and trendy atmosphere, get ready for a real treat. Gunpowder will expand your pallet and broaden your notion of what it means to eat Indian food. A word of warning: their Gunpowder Chicken (pictured below) is addictively tasty, so one order might not be enough. Dishes to try also include their Avocado and Mango Bhel, their Bollywood Bravas, Chicken Chettinad Tikka and their super moist and tender Parsi Banana Leaf Sea Bass. Make sure to order some scrumptious Cheese Truffle Naan to soak up all of your masalas. And, with an impressive wine and alcohol menu, you’ll certainly be able to find the perfect beverage to pair with your meal.
Mama San
Website: Mama San
Address: 1/F Winning Centre, 46-48 Wyndham Street, Central
Now I bet Mama San might not show up on any other writer’s best Indian restaurants in Hong Kong list. They’re pan-Asian, not just Indian, but the two Indian dishes we tried were well executed.
One was saag burrata, a twist on the palak paneer or saag paneer, and they did a super job with the saag. It was hearty and tasty. Dal tadka with spinach wasn’t to my liking of texture, but it was freshly made, and the hubster and friend digged it. Again, a great date place with superb cocktails.
Hotal Colombo
Website: Hotal Colombo
Address: 31 Elgin Street, SOHO, Hong Kong
Technically a Sri Lankan restaurant, the food comes very close to Southern Indian fare. And the first time around, I loved it. From their flatbreads to sides to curries. It was so good, that I came a second time. Sadly, the second time around wasn’t as great on the taste front. But if you visit, I’d recommend you to try their coconut roti and your choice of sambal(s). You’d be amazed how simple things can pack so much punch.
Nepal Restaurant
Website: Nepal Restaurant
Address: G/F, 14 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong
Nepalese restaurants usually do great dals or lentils. And while in Hong Kong, while this might not be the place to get your dimsum, they do a good job with their momos. This Nepalese version of dumplings is usually served with fiery red dipping sauces.
Netra Nepali Indian Dhaaba
Website: Netra Nepali Indian Dhaaba
Address: 267, Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong Island, HK Hong Kong
This one is an Indian grocery store that also does little meals. While I’ve just limited myself to groceries there, I’ve heard people rave about their momos and samosas. And if I go grocery shopping in the afternoons, I guess there’s a repeat clientele for the Indian chai there.
More of the Best Indian Restaurants in Hong Kong
As I mentioned above, Hong Kong has a high restaurant closure rate, but that also means new places open up all the time. If you have any other Indian restaurants that you think deserve a spot on this list, or if you have any comments/questions about the places above, leave a comment below.
Deepika started her blog out of her love for food while she was in NYC. Expat-ting in Hong Kong gave her a chance to explore some of Asia. Read more about her food adventures at The Vegetarian Voyager.
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