It was one of those days when we as a family wanted to eat out. Living near Kothanur, we were looking for a place close by. The family voted for a Chinese restaurant on Hennur-Bagalur Main Road, called Shandong.
This cosy restaurant is a no-frills homey place. With comfortable seating arrangements, pretty lamps adorning the ceiling and quick service, Shandong offers you food that will keep you full and yet not pinch a hole in your pocket. It offers only Chinese food. Started by Christopher D’Cruz, the place is three-years-old and is named after a city in China.
“I have always had a passion for cooking,” explains Christopher, who has been in the field of restaurants since 1996. Having trained at the Taj Gateway, Taj West End and Taj Residency, Christopher started Shandong in 2010. “I chose Chinese food as it’s easier than running a multi-cuisine restaurant. And we offer you the basics of Chinese cuisine,” he adds.
We start with the lovely hot wonton clear soup, and manchow soup, followed by the soft chewy steamed chicken momos. The serving is generous and taste, brilliant. Christopher also recommends the crispy vegetable in chilli plum sauce for starters, which is a combination of flavours and textures. The dragon rolls, a smaller version of spring rolls, is a hit with the children.
For the main course, it’s the popular hakka noodles and fried rice, which is again eaten with the konjee crispy beef and pork devils style. The former is strips of meat marinated in sour and spicy sauce and comes with lots of vegetables, while the latter is a recipe which blends Chinese and Anglo-Indian cooking, explains Christopher.
The food is not very oily and every dish has a generous amount of vegetables and meat, making it easy on the tummy.
Shandong does not serve desserts as “most people here prefer home delivery,” says Christopher. But they do offer a range of soft drinks and chilled juices.
Shandong is at Idhaya Complex, Geddalahalli, Kothanur Post. It is open from 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and between 6.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. Shandong also offers free home delivery. Call 65430444.