It’s a pleasant Sunday evening in February and I’ve spent the day snacking on high-protein mini meals as part of an eat-clean gym challenge.
But then again, it’s a Sunday evening. And I am craving wholesome Asian food. Memories of silky Thai curry and sticky rice flood my mind and I decide to head to Chung Wah, the newest Pan Asian restaurant in town, to get my Oriental fix.
As I step into the brightly-lit restaurant done up in a classic combination of red and grey, I’m taken in by the minimalistic yet edgy décor. The staff, outfitted in Kimono-inspired shirts and trousers, weave between high-backed chairs, ferrying steaming bowls of soups and platters of rice.
I decide to skip the soup altogether — so much for clean eating — and begin my meal with a generous portion of crispy vegetables served with a house garlic sauce. The fritters, made with bell peppers, mushrooms, baby corn and potatoes, are every bit as satisfying as an Indian pakora.
This is followed by Char sui bao, a bready steamed dumpling stuffed with barbeque-flavoured chicken. I am reminded of Po’s (a la Kung Fu Panda ) love for all things dimsum as I tuck into the spongy bao.
For those who prefer a more delicate sui mai or dumpling, there are Har gow prawn dumpling and chicken siu mei to choose from. Don’t want to be too adventurous? Try their range of satays and stir-fries.
For the main course, I zero in on Chung Wah Fried Rice, Thai Green Curry with sticky rice and Dragon Chopsuey, because fried noodles are an all-time favourite. The dragon chopsuey has an intriguingly-flavoured sauce, mildly spicy and redolent of oyster sauce. The fried noodles, however, are a let-down. They are slightly undercooked and hence refuse to soak in the goodness of the sauce the dish is liberally doused in. The chewy chicken bits scattered between the noodles don’t help either.
What does not fail to thrill, however, is the Thai green curry. With a small portion of sticky rice, this silky coconut milk gravy boasts the flavours of galangal and lemongrass, and is exactly what I had been craving all evening. Chung Wah fried rice is pleasing as well, with a zesty kaffir lime note playing a delightful duet with the fiery red Thai chilli.
As I polish off the last of my green curry, I decide against dessert. It will have to wait for another time, although my stewardess assures me that their Caramel Custard is to die for.
Despite being the new kid on the block, the restaurant seems to have got its service right.
The staff are courteous and attentive, without hovering around constantly. In terms of food, they serve a satisfying style of Indian Chinese food. There are undeniably a couple of chinks that need to be ironed out, but in all, a nice option for a Pan Asian dinner.
Especially, if you live on that side of town.
- Chung Wah: Mount Poonamallee Road, Ramapuram
- Hit: Great baos, fragrant Thai curry
- Miss: Disappointing chopsuey
- Meal for two: ₹1,500