Wanndering – on foot and in spirit

No matter how serious the discussion is, before we finish the 10th sentence, my chinese acqaintances would surely say ‘ I love Indian food’. And my reaction would most probably, (and surely if it is a good-looking girl), would be ‘I know a place which serves really authentic Indian food – do you want to go there?’.

Many of the ‘Indian’ restaurants in Taipei are not really Indian – some are Pakistanis. This doesnt change the taste little bit but may only have religious undertones in the meat. Pakistani restaurants use ‘halal’ meat – meat cut in strict islamic manner. Some really picky hindus may not like it and similarly if it is non-halal, muslims would like to stay away. If you follow the ‘religion’ of taste, then dont bother, just go to any ‘Indian’ restaurant – taste is more or less the same.

Here are some Indian restaurants with my reviews. Excuse me if you dont like the meat, because since I am a vegetarian, I have used ‘meaty’ reviews of my friends.

1. AliBaba Indian Kitchen

Address: 2F., 56-58 Nanking E., Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei
(台北市南京東路2段56-58號2樓)
Telephone: (02) 2567-7163
Open: 12pm to 2:30pm; 6pm to 11pm
Average meal: NT$500 per person

This is by far the most popular and restaurant whose recall rate is the highest. To a great extent its fame is well deserved. The best part is the buffett system. And if you are an amateur connoisseur of Indian cuisine, this is a delight to the taste buds. You can enjoy around 10 varieties of meat dishes and 5 varieties of vegan dishes at just NT$400 per person. A maximum of 500NT if you add a cool drink. You can also order ala-carte, and would cost around the same.
I find, and my friends agree, that the food is very good.

2. Tandoor Indian Restaurant
10, Lane 73, HeJiang St, Minsheng (E) Road
(02) 2509-9853/2505-4870
Hours：12 pm-2:30 pm，6-10:30 pm
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge

The decor is the ‘most Indian’ of the restaurants I have seen. Nice and clean place, owned by an Indian but serviced by local guys. The food is real spicy and delicious. Slightly more expensive than Ali Baba. They serve Kingfisher ‘The Indian’ Beer. I think if you are taking someone out for a date, then is a much cooler place – nice

(Walkable from MRT Zhongshan High School – terminal stop on brown line)

3. Hindustan

Lane 313, Fu Xing North Road, Taipei, 105 Taiwan

If you are looking for some food, that would take your back to the memories of India, then this is not the place. If you want to take a Chinese, who cannot digest more than a spoon of oil a day and allergic to more than a pinch of spice, this is THE place. The restaurant is run by a Indian-Chinese (adding to the motley of ethnic groups, there is a small Chinese community in Kolkotta). She has made the Indian food more palatable to the Chinese. I dont say the food is bad, but given a choice I would go to some other restaurant because I fall in the first category I mentioned earlier. I like the ambience and service though- its more classier than the others.

(really close to MRT Zhongshan High School – terminal stop on brown line)
4. The Spice Shop – Indian Cuisine
No6, Alley-10, Lane-50, Tien Mu East Rd. Taipei

This was surprisingly introduced by my Chinese friend. It is hardly a Indian’s place, unlike the first 2 places, you wont find many Indians here. The location is not suitable to go for a brief visitor but for a Taipei resident seeking a change, can surely explore this. Many Indians in Taipei know this restaurant as ’some place in Tienmu’. If you are around Tienmu, you should drop by this place, The restaurant is more like an eatery but excellent food. This is run by an Indian.

5. Out of India – Shida night market

This is a small place in Shida night market, frequented by students studying in NTNU. It is just what you expect of a students’ place – small and cheap. I dont rate the food so well, though. The chefs are Indians and is run by an Indian. If you are passing by ShiDa night market and feel you need to eat something different, you can drop by this place.

There are 1-2 other places, but I havent explored them. Will update if I do so. If you are just curious about Indian food, these 5 are enough to satiate your curiosity.

{Equally close to Guting (Red line) and Taipower (Green line) MRT Stations.  10 mins walk}