When it comes to Chinese in National Capital Region, Noida is one place which offers some good options. Some are at the posh Sector 18 market but the one I went recently is located at Sector 63 market and is called Asia Kitchen. Having simple and homely décor, Asia Kitchen emphasises more on its food. The menu is elaborate having most of the popular Chinese delicacies. As I visited on a Sunday I preferred to go for their buffet and ignore the the a-la-carte.
My gastronomic journey started with a nice browned garlic chicken soup. It was served piping hot which I liked though the flavours needed a kick. I would have preferred garlic dominating the soup. Following it by a traditional raw papaya salad was not a bad idea but it again lacked the authenticity. I struggled to find peanuts in the salad and the tangy flavour. Done with my soup and salad quota I jumped on to the tempting list of starters. Butter chilli garlic water chestnuts were just amazing. One of the signatures at Asia Kitchen, chestnuts were so good that I will surely return to have them. Crispy spinach was also bang on.
One of the toughest dishes to prepare was made with ease and perfection at Asia Kitchen. Sliced fish with roasted chilli and diced chicken in black pepper were also worth a try. Surprisingly the vegetarian starters dominated their non-vegetarian counterparts on that day. But as every Italian dinner is incomplete without a pizza and pasta, Chinese one needs a noodle and rice dish to end. Vegetable hakka noodles with vegetables in red curry seemed to be a nice combination. But I was disappointed with the noodles as they were very dry though the red curry was delicious. I had it with steamed rice and it really tasted yum. Minced lamb and black mushrooms with bokchoy and zucchini in black bean sauce also complemented the white rice.
The good part about Asia Kitchen is that it respects its name and tries to serve good Asian food though couple of dishes missed on the authenticity. After having a cup of jasmine tea and clearing my palate I had a bowl of mocca rage before signing off. And what a delight it was, coffee and chocolate flavoured ice-cream scoops topped with a chocolate cake instead of a walnut brownie.
Buffet Price: Rs 550
