The most enjoyable way to learn more about the Indian culture is through a gastronomic journey of Indian food. Indian food is a very large term and encompasses 3000 years of culinary civilization.
It is wide ranging in its diversity and has been the literal melting pot influenced by the tastes and flavors of the visitors, friendly and otherwise, over the millennia to the Indian sub continent. It is now characterized by its sophisticated and subtle use of many spices and vegetables grown across India and also for the widespread practice of vegetarianism across its society. Each family of this cuisine is has a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. As a consequence, Indian cuisine varies from region to region, reflecting the varied demographics of the ethnically diverse Indian subcontinent.
The Indian sub continent from the Himalayan Mountains in the North to tropical coasts in the south lead to an astonishing range in local produce and this has led to wheat being the staple in the North and Rice in the South. Hot naan breads and pieces marinated chicken simmered in a tandoor or a clay oven and curries rich in cream and spices synonymous today with Indian food in general. In a country as large and diverse as India, tandoori food is initially from a tiny area in the northwestern plains of the sub continent. Over a period of just half a century the name and fame of tandoori food has managed to capture the imagination of the whole world as it is the humble folk from this region who flanked out into different corners of the globe in search of a better income. Many of them started to earn a living by opening Indian restaurants.
Today more than a dozen Indian restaurants are scattered all over the city, some of them equipped with excellent kitchens. However eating outside the home is a very recent activity amongst Indians. Even today getting together to eat primarily means keeping in touch with the community and family. That is why many restaurants here offer generous accommodation for private parties as well, including Queen’s Tandoor, Ganesha, D’Bollywood, Royal Kitchen, Namaste Resto, VMAD, Kinara and Hazara.
The best way to order an Indian meal is to offer a dish to each guest and then to share it all with everyone present. Vegetarians have much to choose from: tomato or spinach soups; baked cauliflower and potatoes eaten with lentils; bread or plain rice with kulfi; or Indian ice cream, which tops the list of dessert favorites. Rasa Sayang in Sunter apart from its Indian menu also has a good choice of local food. A stuffed paratha, (bread filled with potatoes and lightly fried in oil) for example is a meal in itself. And the best ones are found at the Taj Mahal in Pasar Baru.
Ganesha Ek Sanskriti, is a fine dining authentic Indian Restaurant and Bar operating at two locations. Both restaurants are done very beautifully with very ethnic ambiance. Ganesha offers a wide variety of North Indian curry and tandoori foods with a selection of non-vegetarian and vegetarian items and distinguishes itself for its authentic taste, rigorous quality levels, dietary care in use of fat products and hygiene. Being a dietitian by training, Shilpa Dave, Ganesha’s founder-owner can be seen very regularly doing rounds of its kitchens in BRI and Kemang. This is a very popular venue for parties and their catering is very good.
Ganesha now has branches in Yogyakarta, Ubud and even in Dallas, USA.
Queen’s Tandoor is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in town and very popular with the local ethnic Indian community and has a wider appeal with it Chinese-Indian fusion cuisine. It offers a large variety of Indian cuisine and even the south Indian dosa. Their signature dish is the Raan E Bahaar a succulent leg of lamb is simply mouth-watering and mildly spiced, Jaffran Prawn or the saffron prawns, Lasooni Palak a wonderful spinach and garlic dish and the Herb Naan to eat it all with. The restaurant’s belief of serving nothing but fresh ingredients and natural seasoning, it has proven to be a healthier choice while not compromising on taste. The restaurant provides a great venue for functions with its ample space. Queens Tandoor has outlets in Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Manila and Dubai.
Kinara is a very popular Indian restaurant on Kemang raya and has a wonderful rooftop area for parties. The main dining area is like a Mughal courtyard with a central fountain, small seating alcoves which lead to a wonderful dining experience. Authentic North Indian cuisine featuring mouth watering lentils and tender lamb dishes are a must have.
Ganesha Ek Sanskriti BRI II Building, Jl. Jendral Sudirman | Tel: (62-21) 571 9415 website: www.ganeshaeksanskriti.com
Ganesha Ek Sanskriti, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 5 Jakarta | Tel: (62-21) 719 6837
Queen’s Tandoor, Permata Plaza, Jl. MH Thamrin | Tel: (62-21) 390 3287 | website: www.queenstandoor.com
Queen’s of India, Danau Sunter Hotel Jl. Danau Permai Raya | Tel: (62-21) 6583 1477
Hazara Jl. Kusuma Atmaja No. 85 | Tel: (62-21) 3192 5037
Kinara, Jl. Kemang Raya 78-B, South Jakarta | Tel: (62-21) 719 2677
Vmad Sarinah Building Jl. MH Thamrin | Tel: (62-21) 390 3533
Rasa Sayang, Jl. Paradise Barat Raya | Tel: (62-21) 640 5070
Taj Mahal, Jl. H. Samanhudi No. 10A, Pasar Baru | Tel: (62-21) 381 3754
Tanduri, Jl. RS Fatmawati No. 12 | Tel: (62-21) 769 7589
The Royal Kitchen, The Bellagio Boutique Hall Ground Floor 16 | Tel: (62-21) 3002 9975 | website: www.theroyalkitchenjakarta.com
Only Vegetarian, only home delivery | Mobile Phone : (62) 816 911825
Frontpage, Jl. Imam Bonjol No.76-78, Plaza Gani Djemat Lt. 1, Jakarta | Tel: (62-21) 3903614
Jewel OF India, Hotel Ambhara Jl. Iskandarsyah Raya No. 1 | Tel: (62-21) 2700 800
Restaurant Pakistan, Jl. Fatmawati 23 Jakarta Selatan | Tel: (62-21) 750 4037, 750 7708
Man Aur Tan, #1 Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Casablanca Kuningan (6th Floor), Jakarta Selatan | Tel: (62-21) 3004 0888, 5296 1188 | Fax: (62-21) 3004 0889, 3004 0890 – Open: 12 Noon – 11 pm
Man Aur Tan #2 Merlynn Park Hotel Lantai 5, JL KH. Hasyim Ashari, No. 29-31, Jakarta | Tel: (61-21) 30026888
Namaste Resto, Menara Gracia Building , Ground floor, Jl. HR. Rasuna Said kav. 17, Tel: (62-21) 57941791 / 52903177 | website: www.namasterresto.com
Namaste Resto, Wisma Udaya Building, Ground floor, Jl. Danau Sunter Selatan Blok O-IV kav 35, Tel: (62-21) 6530 3962 / 65300816 | website: www.namasterresto.com
Koh-E-Noor, Jl. Rasuna Said C-22, Pasar Festival GF.03-04 Jakarta Selatan| Tel: (62-21) 527 6531 | Fax: (62-21) 527 6532
D’Bollywood, – PLAZA FESTIVAL, 1st Floor, Unit UG -58, Jl Rasuna Said, Kuningan,
Jakarta Selatan, Tel: (62 21) 29410338 | website: www.d-bollywood.com
Gokul Vegetarian & Vegan Resto: Jl. Pasar Baru No. 12, Jakarta, Tel: (021) 3810492
Udupi Shree Krishna: Taman Kemayoran Condominium, Tower Akasia, Ground Floor, Jl. Benyamin Sueb, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Tel: (62-21) 65851444
By Poonam Sagar
For comments and feedback, email to poonam@indoindians.com