Jashan - (Hong Kong)

  Jashan is an Indian restaurant which is slightly more sophisticated than the norm available out there on the market.   As an ex-British colonial ruled city,  I find it a little eerie that Hong Kong doesn’t really have much great quality Indian food.  The recipes seem to be nearly there or else sometimes more Pakistani like but the taste is not always like the real thing.   Most Indian restaurants in HK often serve weakened Indian foods that might carry repercussions in the long run -   and hopefully they are onto something more reflective of the real cuisine here!

 

 

Jashan upstairs -

 

 

Salted and Mango Lassi -
Quite sour yogurty,  a good sign!

 

 

Starter -
A vegetarian based Cannellono like wrap,  with a cold tomato based soup.  Good and appetizing..

 

 

 

Aloo Tikki, Chana Chaat -  $58
Fried potatoes and herbs patties,  served with a side chickpeas based entrée.  This is actually quite sophisticated here as it combines a few street foods together.  Lovely entrée ~  8/10

 

 

 

Seekh Kebab – $148
Minced lamb and crispy maize chips are made into a sausage here.  Quite decent, but I think could do with more flame grilled flavours !   ~  7/10

 

 

 

Bombay Tawa Chicken – $78
Marinated with sweet chili, turmeric and salt,  served with Cucumber Raita yogurt. 
This was one of my favourites on the night,  the meat was moist and tender yet flavourful.   ~  9/10

 

 

Dal Makhani – $82
This was surprisingly dark in colour.  The flavour was ok rather than wow,  it seemed different from the versions I used to eat in that it is a cleaner version here despite the colour.   I expect more Dal flavours somehow…   ~  6.9/10

 

 

 

 

A Variety of Naans (Garlic, Cheese, Plain) and Aloo Paratha -
Compared to the best of Indian restaurant all over the world,  these are ok-decent. But in Hong Kong not many shops make them that well despite it being an ex-British Colony.  In fact I’ve never had great Indian food in HK so far although I suspect places like Mandarin Oriental’s The Chinnery might make them pretty British-Indian in taste.   This shop’s one is one of the best ones in town.

 

 

 

 

Mirchi Kebab – $128
A Signature dish here, chicken breast tenderloins are grilled with green pepper and made to look like fallen tree branches!     I liked the marination of this a lot,  but the chicken seemed a little mushy and overly tender.   Nevertheless the above chicken dish was great so I suspect this is just a once off, and probably a must-order here.   ~   6.5/10

 

 

 

Chicken Makhani (buttered chicken) – $128
Quite mild and probably a tad toned down for the local market.  I used to LOVE this dish so much and ate it regularly.  It’s weird how your diet changes depending on where you’re located,  especially when Indian Food in ex-British colonised places like Australia or Singapore serve good Indian food.  HK is usually the odd one out,  as our Indian food seems to be milder.  This was ok and could be more thicker and richer in taste.  Chicken pieces were cooked well though!    6/10

 

 

 

 

Saffron Pulao  - $48
The long grain rice was cooked fluffily,  but there wasn’t enough saffron or say cardamom flavour which gives it that exotic flavour.   Another toned down dish,  but getting there !   ~   6/10

 

 

 

Masala Chai -
Needs more spiciness or tea aroma to make it interesting.  This drink is surprisingly really popular during my stay in Tokyo before…  even over there they make better and loyal versions.  I haven’t really had a good Masala Chai locally and considering how Japan gets this so right in general, a country known for their subtle palates,  one would expect HK to also make it right.   But like most shops out there this was a little too weak in both spices and tea flavours. At least it is smooth here! No excuses for this to be toned down to HK levels.   The real foodie always wants the real version to compare!   ~  6/10

 

 

 

Indian Ice Cream of Mango,  Roasted Coconut and Saffron Kulfi  - $58
This sounded so promising,  but was a little too syrupy thick and sweet and seemingly didn’t want to melt!  And there wasn’t enough of the advertised flavours or saffron. ~   3/10

 

 

 

Chocolate Tiramisu -  $68
This tiramisu trifle was apparently given a small Indian twist,  and it was actually decent with plenty of eggs and sabayon flavours,  as well as some chocolate and liquor taste.  I think the base sponge was slightly too wet but the flavour was ok.   ~  7/10

 

 

 

Gulab Jamun – $48
Fried dumplings in rose water syrup is one of my favourite desserts,  many local people think it is quite sweet,  but I guess I am used to Mediterranean desserts which uses similar ingredients.  The version here is less sweeter than other shops,  but also weaker in Rosewater influence.  Good for the local market !   ~   8/10

 

 

 

Some Mukhwas & Saunf -
An Indian meal without eating some sugared coated fennel seeds and spices,  is not really cool,  because you need them to cleanse the palate!   The offering here is good and appreciated indeed.  ~  9/10

 

 

Mukhwas, Saunf and some Sugar Crystals -
Presentable Indian food.  The quality of Indian Food in Hong Kong is quite honestly crap -  but not to the fault of the chefs and owners,  blame it on the people and customers.   The chefs often think they must tone it down for the mass local customers -  but from a foodies point of view,  we can only promote it more when it is reflecting more of the real thing.  A Catch-22 situation,  but just explain to the customers more about how it should perform and become  !!

 

 

Price:  HKD $250  + 10%   (This meal was by invitation)
Ease of Access:   3/5 (10 mins walk from either Central or Sheung Wan MTR station. Walk up the hill…)
Food:  ♕♕♕♕  -  ♕♕♕♕ 1/2  (Would be better if not too localised! Getting there)

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun    12:00pm - 14:00pm, 18:00pm - 23:00pm
Address: 中環蘇豪荷李活道23號金珀苑1樓
1/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, SOHO, Central
Ph: 3105 5300