Indian food tickling Chinese taste buds
Bold flavors and bright colors hitting the right note in many cities, Hou Chenchen and Shao Xinying report.
Authentic culinary culture
"Our restaurant was founded with the mission of introducing authentic Indian culinary culture to the local community. To appeal to Chinese palates, we've occasionally infused elements of both Chinese and Indian cuisines," says Liang Yaofeng, founder of the Ganges Gourmet Indian Restaurant.
Naresh Singh, the restaurant's manager, emphasizes their commitment to providing a clean, affordable dining experience.
"There's often a misconception that Indian restaurants are unsafe or unhygienic. We're here to challenge that stereotype," he says.
Liang's two-decade-long experience in China-India tourism has given him unique insights into the cultural connection between the two countries. Recognizing a gap in the market for Indian cuisine in Beijing, he opened the Ganges Gourmet Indian Restaurant in 2021.
With a capacity to seat 70 guests, the restaurant offers an Indian-style buffet that has proved immensely popular.
"Lunchtime is always busy, and it's not uncommon for diners to wait in line," Singh says.
While Indian food, especially curries, is often seen as difficult to adapt to, the restaurant's strategy is to "adjust the recipes" to suit the local tastes.
Chef Nainwaldayadhar Ishwari Dutt has made thoughtful changes to many of the dishes. "We've toned down the spicier flavors to make them more approachable," he says, adding that Indian spices are also incorporated into some Chinese local dishes to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
"The restaurant has a strong Indian vibe, with photos of Bollywood stars on the walls, Indian dance playing on TV, lively Indian music filling the air, and the rich aroma of curry tickling the senses. It's become a multifaceted window into Indian culture," says Liu Xiaogou, a customer at the Ganges Gourmet Indian Restaurant.
"China and India are both populous countries with long histories as two of the world's four great ancient civilizations. Their food cultures are equally rich, and I'm open to another country's culture through its cuisine," says Jia Yu, another customer.
