Rated: Good
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Rated: Excellent
Jun 16, 2008
Very authentic for Malay, Thai and Indonesian
What first drew me to this place was the name.
I lust after south-east Asian cuisine, and I had been looking for a
place in Bangalore where I could satiate my taste buds. And one very
'hungry-for-Thai-curry' evening I googled "Thai food+Bangalore", and
that's when I was completely taken in by this name "Shiok" (which is
"yummy" in Singaporean English). It struck me as very authentic, and
one look at the (very well written) online menu and the chef's notes
and recipes told me that this place was about serious south-east Asian
cuisine.
Sure enough, I landed up there - at an unassuming second floor
premises with a signage covered by trees ensuring everyone misses it.
I found only a couple of tables occupied and, no, that didn't leave me
uncertain about the place at all. I was greeted by very polite staff;
their courteousness and involvement remains consistent right through
your meal and continues everytime you visit. The decor was a bit
disappointing: glad to hear they are shifting to a new place in
Domlur, and I hope the rates remain the same!
Here's my path to Nirvana: I generally start off with Soup, and then
move on to steamed rice and curry (Thai / Indonesian / Malay), and
sometimes indulge in a starter as well if I'm feeling extra
gluttonous. To be fair, you can't really go wrong with your order at
Shiok. But I have a big weakness for things made with coconut milk and
spices, and if you share this fetish with me, you simply must try out
these yummylicious things:
- Tom Kha Gai (Thai coconut milk soup). I love the flavour added by a
squeeze of lime just before serving (learnt this from the chef's notes
on the website)
- Golden Basket (with chicken and corn) – not coconut based, but a
fabulous starter nonetheless
- Ayam Mesak Lemak (Malay curry with coconut milk) out of the world -
with steamed rice. I love the spice, the garlic and the sweet
undertones in this one.
- Lombok Curry (again with coconut milk – what a freak I am!)-
Indonesian curry - with steamed rice. Spicy and has a touch of Indian
spices.
- Thai Green Curry with steamed rice
(Actually ANY of the curries with coconut milk is a must try)
I've had south-east Asian cuisine in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore
and I completely vouch for Shiok because it's as authentic as it gets.
I've been to Shiok too many times to count on my fingers, and each
time, my experience has been extremely gratifying. I also think it is
superb value for money. By which I mean that the quality of food and
service is totally worthy of the money you pay for it. Anyone who
comes back disappointed with the food has got to have the taste buds
of a maggot!!! :D
I have a suggestion for the chef – why not make it a complete oriental
experience with the desserts as well?? Mousse cake is not the ideal
way to wrap up such a Shiok meal!
