This visit was an invited tasting to AWADH, Singapore's first and only Indian restaurant serving authentic Lucknowi restaurant. Thank you Kristine (@msginginly) and AWADH for extending the invitation.
Let's understand the origin of the cuisine better. Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, and has always been recognized as a cultural and artistic hub and the seat of power of the Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lucknow was previously known as the Awadh region.
Speaking of the Nawabs, they are the Viceroy of the Mughal Empire (Mogul Empire). Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. A Viceroy is a ruler exercising authority in a colony on behalf of a sovereign. The Mughal Empire established new administrative practices, that led to a more efficient, centralised, and standardized rule and brought stability and relative peace to the people. This in turn, was a factor in India's economic expansion during the 17th century and a rise in artisans entering the market. One of the most well-known heritage of the Mughal is the Taj Mahal.
Lucknowi cuisine is heavily influenced by the preferences of the Nawabs. Main characteristics of this cuisine would be its elaborate and extensive use of spices, in a restrained yet celebrated manner.
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spice tray
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Chefs at AWADH belong to the famous Qureshi family of Master-chefs from Lucknow. Generations of this family have been trained to render an exquisite culinary spread, fit for the Nawabs. Only specially trained chefs have access to the secret recipes hence it is impossible to replicate the taste but guests in Singapore has the good fortune to be able to experience this at AWADH.
Wow, now we can savour the same taste that the Nawabs had enjoyed centuries before us! I think that is such a cool concept, don't you agree?
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entrance
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beautiful lights
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lovely ambiance
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I love the lights decorating the restaurant. It added a touch of majestic to the place and I could imagine the ambiance that perhaps the Nawabs had when they were enjoying their meals.
The restaurant has a bar and alcoholic beverages are available. As Indian cuisine is typically enjoyed eaten using hand, a bowl of water to cleanse is served prior to the food being served. So pretty with the floating petals.
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| to cleanse |
Starters
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Murg-Multani Shorba @$14
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Started with a warm bowl of Murg-Multani Shorba; comforting fragrant chicken broth, an Awadhi signature recipe. Tasted of curry and the broth had the texture of a corn soup. There were tender cubes of chicken in there too.
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| fragrant chicken broth |
The soup was comforting and familiar tasting to many of us. Thoroughly enjoyable and I finished mine in no time.
Next, we sampled the Gosht Galawat Kebab, said to be a staple in Awadhi cuisine, with melt-in-your-mouth mutton patties and blended with over 25 rare spices, complemented with a small square of Muglai paratha and served with yoghurt mint chutney.
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Gosht Galawat Kebab @$27
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Honestly, am not used to the taste nor texture of Gosht Galawat. Indeed, it was melt-in-your-mouth but I think am not accustomed for any meat to be in this manner. The spices in this kebab is an acquired taste and it takes a while to get used to it.
Next, we tried the pan-seared marinated chicken in whole spices, Bhatti Ka Murgh. The sizzling sound was like music to the ears and the chunky chicken meat was deliciously succulent and flavourful. Yums!
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Bhatti Ka Murgh @$24
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For those who prefers seafood, there's Tandoori Macchi. Chargrilled boneless pieces of fish, marinated in tandoori spices and yoghurt. Served with tomato bell pepper chutney. Did I mention that I really dig the tomato bell pepper chutney? Hahaaa, yes it was so delicious I used as a dip for almost everything!
The Tandoori Lehsuni Jhinga is an off-menu item. These garlic marinated prawns are chargrilled in tandoori oven and served with mint sauce. Limited portions available. Do enquire from the staff on the pricing.
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(left to right) Tandoori Macchi @$22 and Tandoori Lehsuni Jhinga (off-menu limited item)
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| Tandoori Prawns (Tandoori Lehsuni Jhinga) |
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Tandoori Fish (Tandoori Macchi)
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For vegetarian starter, we tried the Reshmi Broccoli. A lovely plate of marinated broccoli florets in cashew paste and chargrilled in the tandoor.
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Reshmi Broccoli @$19
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Main Course
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Bhuna Gosht @$27
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Bhuna Gosht is a mutton dish, cooked with fried onions and tomato paste and a blend of aromatic spices. I'd eat this with some delicious naan or the tasty paratha.
The Murgh Makhni Jehangiri, also known as butter chicken, is a bowl of deliciousness that is of creamy buttery tomato gravy and pairs well with any bread/rice.
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Murgh Makhni Jehangiri @$23
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Between the mutton or the butter chicken, my preference is the Murgh Makhni Jehangiri, hands down! The sweetness of the butter chicken was addictive.
For breads, we sampled the plain naan, garlic naan, paratha and roomali roti. Besides butter chicken, we tried the breads with Lehsuni Motiya Saag Paneer and Sultani Dal as well.
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(from left to right) Murgh Makhni Jehangiri, Sultani Dal, Lehsuni Motiya Saag Paneer
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Ivan's pretty plate of the breads and dips
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The curries were delicious and I was continuously using pieces of the naan and roti to mop up the delicious gravy.
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AWADH Murgh Biryani @$25
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I was intrigued by the presentation of the biryani. A rather large plate with a huge pile of rice arranged neatly with a wide diameter and adorned with a whole drumstick ontop of the biryani rice. The Royal Bawarchis had used sophisticated cooking manner to transform this humble dish. Slow-cooked "dum" style for 6 hours and there are pieces of tender chicken marinated in a blend of over 40 spices hidden beneath the rice.
Taste the rice to know the difference. Chicken meat was superb and flavourful. Recommend to share the biryani, in order to have more stomach space for the breads and curries!
Spotted the Kurkuri Okra under the vegetarian main course menu as Bhindi Aap-Ki Pasand or
"okra cooked just the way you liked it". Oooh, interesting! Ours was a basket of crisp fried okra in delicate mix of spices.
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Kurkuri Okra @$17
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The crisp fried okra was really nice to have with a glass of beer or, as I did with a Mojito.
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refreshing Mojito
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Dessert
For a sweet end of this gastronomical journey. we tried the Apple Jalebi and Zaffrani Malai Phirni. Happy to report that the sweetness level at AWADH was at an enjoyable level.
The Apple Jalebi had a crisp airy batter with a slice of apple in it. The Zaffrani Malai Phirni is a milk pudding-like dessert that's rich and creamy with cardamon in it. I liked the rose water version.
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Apple Jalebi @$12
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| Zaffrani Malai Phirni @$10 (this version is only showing a sampling size, not actual size) |
Thank you AWADH, especially Nisha for your hospitality and generosity. It was indeed an eye-opener experience in understanding Lucknowi cuisine and the rich history behind it.
Glad that I could have this shared experience with fellow foodies; Kris, Ivan, Hence and Tracy.
AWADH Royal Indian Dining and Lounge
Address: #01-33H, 176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Contact: 6909 9971
Business Hours:
Daily 11:00AM- 12:00AM (Last order at 11:30pm)
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