Awadh Tasting Session

Awadh Tasting Session
176 Orchard Road
#01-33H The Centrepoint

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11:30pm


https://theawadh.com/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from Purple Taste, msginginly, and Chubby Botak Koala.

Flat Lay Curries & Bread Basket

Authentic & Exquisite Royal Awadhi Cuisine

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Budget about SGD $40++ per person.


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Established in January 2020 by wife-and-husband team of Manisha Kishore and Amitabh Mathur, Awadh is a mid-range family restaurant specialising in dishes from Lucknow, also known as Awadhi cuisine, a subset of North Indian cuisine. This royal cuisine of the Nawabs / Emperors of the Awadh region, today part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, is known for its exquisite grandeur, featuring over 120 spices. At Awadh, the chefs hail from the famed Qureshi family, a line of master-chefs from Lucknow who served royalty.

Awadh Signage

Ambience at Awadh exudes an elegant sophistication. A smart casual dressing would be the minimum approriate attire here. The bright lights from decorative lamps overhead illuminate the sleek black-clothed tables, while the comfortable and broad chairs are comfortably suitable for long lingering meals. An open bar beckons, while a stage for live performances awaits the day when COVID-19 pandemic measures ease off, and musicians can once again put on a show. The spacious area can host over 70 people, and is suitable for events.

Awadh Exterior

Awadh Interior

Seating

Service at Awadh is attentive and efficient. Requests are carried out quickly, and staff are alert, noticing if you need something. The junior staff demonstrate basic product knowledge as they introduce dishes when served, while the owners and senior staff handle further queries. I note staff proactively offer to clear away finished plates throughout the meal. The owners are also passionate in sharing about the nuances of Awadhi cuisine, and the painstaking efforts by the chefs in preparing dishes, this leads to a deeper appreciation of the food, and the culture of Lucknow.

Zymmetry

Lights

Stage For Live Performance

Food at Awadh is North Indian cuisine, focused on the regional speciality of royal Awadhi cuisine. Over 120 spices feature across dishes in the wide-ranging menu, with spices being painstakingly hand ground and blended. The chefs use centuries-old family recipes hailing from the royal kitchens, producing many dishes from scratch using traditional ingredients. All this means a premium, consistent, delicious quality of food. Portions are huge, meant for sharing between 2 - 4 people. Prices reflect their premium restaurant quality, budget about SGD $40++ per person for a meal here.

Bar

Awadh Menu

Us

The profile of Awadhi dishes tend to feature subtle tender textures, and with controlled usage of spices and condiments for seasoning, they highlight the natural flavours. They take pride in slow-cooking, with dishes prepared over hours, in advance of the store's opening each day. I understand no expense was spared to import traditional ingredients, be it luxurious saffron, or whole spices that cost up to SGD $200 per kilogram.

Spice Platter

Spice Platter

The Flower Finger Bowl features a bowl of warm water scented with a few rose petals and lemon juice. It's meant for cleansing your fingers prior to the start of a meal, especially if you plan to eat using your hands. Don't drink it!

Flower Finger Bowl

The Beer Heineken (SGD $12) is a popular Dutch brand of pale lager beer, brewed by the company of the same name. It has a light straw golden colour, with aromas and tastes of hops, barley malt, wheat, and steel. The body is thin, lively, and watery, with a delicate grainy sweet bitter flavour, with almost no aftertaste, and a dry finish. Inoffensive and drinkable, this is an entry-level, beginner's brew.

Beer Heineken (SGD $12)

The Cocktail Mojito (SGD $17) features a classic blend of white rum, soda water, sugar cane syrup, lime juice, and mint, giving this a bright herbal zesty tangy sour sweet boozy flavour. Nicely refreshing on the palate. They've garnished it with lots of sliced lime and crushed ice here.

Cocktail Mojito (SGD $17)

Akin to a milkshake, the Lassi Mango (SGD $7) has a thick, creamy texture. A blend of yoghurt, milk, mango pulp, and syrup, this has a rich fruity milky sweet flavour.

Lassi Mango (SGD $7)

To open the palate, they served us the Lassi Plain Shot (SGD $??). A blend of yoghurt, milk, and syrup, this has a rich milky sweet savoury flavour.

Lassi Plain Shot (SGD $??)

A trio of complimentary dipping sauces to accompany dishes are served with orders. The Yoghurt is milky thin in texture, lending a delicate milky sweet flavour. The signature Lucknow Green Chutney is a blend of coriander, mint, salt, yoghurt, and pickled green chili, resulting in a vegetal earthy sweet sour flavour with a juicy texture. The creamy Tomato & Pepper Chutney surprises with its complementary notes of vegetal sweet spicy smoky, so yummy.

Yoghurt, Tomato & Pepper Chutney, Lucknow Green Chutney (SGD $Complimentary)

Yoghurt, Tomato & Pepper Chutney, Lucknow Green Chutney

In celebration of Singapore's 55th National Day, the Lucknawi Independence Day Thali (SGD $55) was a limited-time promotion, featuring 12 authentic small dishes in a sampling Thali platter. This was an excellent way to try a variety of the traditional Awadhi dishes on the menu.

Lucknawi Independence Day Thali (SGD $55)

I like that the Papadum (SGD $Complimentary) here is crisp and crunchy, with delicate grainy sweet flavour. Served warm, this should be eaten quickly before it softens.

Papadum (SGD $Complimentary)

Papadum

The Murgh Multani Shorba (SGD $14) is a medium creamy chicken soup / broth, filled with chunks of tender boneless chicken. With a pleasant sweet spice savoury herbal flavour, this helps open the appetite. Worth ordering!

Murgh Multani Shorba (SGD $14)

Murgh Multani Shorba

Their starters or appetizers here are almost a main course in itself. Best shared, as a single serving is good for 2 - 4 people.

Flat Lay Appetizers

We loved the Kurkuri Bhindi (SGD $16), which is a vegetable fry of thinly sliced, delicately spiced lady's fingers / okra. The result is an addictively crisp, crunchy snack, with enticing vegetal sweet salty spice flavour. Holds up well for about 30 minutes. Great with some drinks. Highly recommended!

Kurkuri Bhindi (SGD $16)

Kurkuri Bhindi

The Reshmi Broccoli Tikka (SGD $19) is essentially, a unique tandoori broccoli, with the fresh crunchy florets marinated in a creamy yoghurt and cashew nut paste. This gives it layered notes of milky nutty sweet smoky flavour, complementing the natural vegetal sweet flavour of the broccoli. Feels rather healthy. Good!

Reshmi Broccoli Tikka (SGD $19)

Reshmi Broccoli Tikka

The Murgh Chandi Tikka (SGD $22) is akin to a Malai Chicken Tikka, with the boneless chunks of chicken marinated in creamy yoghurt and cashew nut paste, though the spice blend is uniquely different. Through slow-cooking in the tandoor oven, this results in fork-tender chicken meat, with lovely delicate sweet savoury nutty smoky flavour. Good!

Murgh Chandi Tikka (SGD $22)

Murgh Chandi Tikka

The Tandoori Macchi (SGD $22) features chargrilled boneless chunks of white fish (monkfish / tilapia / carp / catfish) marinated in yoghurt and a special tandoori spice mix, then slow-cooked in the tandoor oven. The fish has a tender flaky smooth texture, with a clean-tasting smoky savoury spice sweet flavour. Served with chewy Mughlai paratha with smoky bready sweet buttery flavour. Highly recommended!

Tandoori Macchi (SGD $22)

Tandoori Macchi

Tandoori Macchi

The reason the Tandoori Lehsuni Jhinga (SGD $?? Special Advance Order) is an off-menu advance order is because prawns / shrimp are not commonly used in Awadhi cuisine, as such, most people don't order it. Sourced fresh daily, these large deshelled prawns are tender and bouncy with a juicy bite to texture, and the marinade of special tandoor spice mix lends it a beautiful smoky savoury spice sweet flavour. Served with chewy Mughlai paratha with smoky bready sweet buttery flavour.

Tandoori Lehsuni Jhinga (SGD $?? Special Advance Order)

Tandoori Lehsuni Jhinga

The Bhatti Ka Murgh (SGD $24) features a steaming hot plate of pan-seared bone-in chicken, marinated in yoghurt and whole spices. The chicken is tender and moist, pulling easily off the bone, with bold savoury milky spice salty sweet flavour. Part of the experience is the steaming hot plate, which perfumes the air with the exotic and appetizing fragrance of mild spice. Yum.

Bhatti Ka Murgh (SGD $24)

Bhatti Ka Murgh

The house signature Gosht Galawat Kebab (SGD $27) is an Awadhi staple, featuring mutton patties marinated in a blend of 25 spices. The patties have a paste-like texture, where the meat is so soft it kind of just melts away in the mouth, with a robust spicy savoury earthy flavour. Doesn't taste like meat, due to the range of spices used. Served with chewy Mughlai paratha with smoky bready sweet buttery flavour.

Gosht Galawat Kebab (SGD $27)

Gosht Galawat Kebab

The main courses here feature a range of curries and North Indian breads. Best shared, as a single serving is good for 2 - 4 people.

Flat Lay Curries & Bread Basket

Flat Lay Curries

Flat Lay Bread Basket

Flat Lay Curries & Bread Basket

The Lehsuni Motiya Palak Ka Saag (SGD $20) is a curry of seasonal pureed green vegetables (spinach, coriander, parsley) and corn kernels, dressed with a touch of plain yoghurt. This has a thick creamy texture, with a lovely vegetal earthy sweet savoury flavour. Good!

Lehsuni Motiya Palak Ka Saag (SGD $20)

Lehsuni Motiya Palak Ka Saag

The Murgh Makhani Jehangiri / Butter Chicken (SGD $23) is a popular dish here. The non-spicy curry of this butter chicken dish is made with tomato, yoghurt, and a mild spice blend, resulting in a thick, slightly creamy texture, with milky sweet savoury spice flavour. The boneless chunks of chicken are tender and moist, with smoky spice sweet savoury flavour. Worth ordering!

Murgh Makhani Jehangiri / Butter Chicken (SGD $23)

Murgh Makhani Jehangiri / Butter Chicken

The Sultani Dal (SGD $19) is a combination of yellow lentils, red lentils, cumin, and green chili. With a medium thick texture and mild earthy grainy sweet savoury flavour, this goes so well with Indian breads or white rice. Good!

Sultani Dal (SGD $19)

Sultani Dal

The Naan Plain (SGD $6) is pillow soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, with a bready sweet flavour. Worth ordering!

Naan Plain (SGD $6)

Enhanced with minced garlic and clarified butter / ghee, the Naan Garlic (SGD $7) has the same pillow soft interior and crisp exterior, but with a bright herbal bready spice sweet flavour instead. Good!

Naan Garlic (SGD $7)

The Ulte Tawe Ka Paratha (SGD $8) is a special Awadhi flatbread made on an inverted griddle, and results in a crisp fluffy texture. With a buttery savoury taste at the start, and a bready sweet aftertaste at the end, this pairs well with most curries. Good!

Ulte Tawe Ka Paratha (SGD $8)

Also known as the handkerchief flatbread, the Rumali Roti (SGD $8) is a thin stretchy bread that is tossed akin to a pizza. With a soft doughy chew to texture, this has delicate bready sweet flavour. Worth ordering!

Rumali Roti (SGD $8)

The Bhuna Gosht (SGD $27) features fork-tender boneless mutton cubes, cooked with fried shallots, tomato paste, and spices, till it achieves a succulent softness. Has a robust meaty savoury spice salty sweet flavour, that entices you to reach for more. Good!

Bhuna Gosht (SGD $27)

Bhuna Gosht

The first mouthful of the Awadhi Murgh Biryani (SGD $25) immediately reminded me of my travels in India, dining on the most exquisite, flavourful biryani, which till now has eluded me in Singapore. This is it. With a choice of bone-in or boneless chicken, marinated in a blend of 40 spices (including saffron), layered with basmati rice and slow cooked dum style for over 6 hours, this is the perfect biryani. The biryani rice is richly aromatic, with a fluffy texture and mild spice sweet savoury flavour. The chicken meat is tender, yielding easily with bright sweet spice savoury flavour. Will return again just for this. Highly recommended!

Awadhi Murgh Biryani (SGD $25)

Awadhi Murgh Biryani

Awadhi Murgh Biryani

A modern take on the traditional jalebi dessert sweet, the Apple Jalebi (SGD $12) features sliced rings of granny smith green apples, coated in a spiced batter and steeped in a simple syrup. The result is wonderful, a slight crisp crunch to the exterior, which holds lovely sweet spice notes; then you get the juicy soft interior, warm with fruity sweet flavour. Served with a saffron infused milk pudding dip, which holds beautiful earthy herbal spice sweet milky flavour. Highly recommended!

Apple Jalebi (SGD $12)

Apple Jalebi

The Zafrani Malai Phirni (SGD $10) is somewhat of an acquired taste, as this dessert has primarily milky savoury herbal flavour. This phirni is a rich, creamy smooth Mughal milk and rice pudding flavoured with cardamom, garnished with crushed pistachio nuts.

Zafrani Malai Phirni (SGD $10) Tasting Portion Pictured, Actual Serving Is Larger

Zafrani Malai Phirni Tasting Portion Pictured, Actual Serving Is Larger

The Gulkand Malai Phirni (SGD $10) would have better appeal for a dessert, as it's bright and floral milky sweet in taste. This phirni is a rich, creamy smooth Mughal milk and rice pudding flavoured with rose water, garnished with raisins and candied fruit pieces. Worth ordering!

Gulkand Malai Phirni (SGD $10) Tasting Portion Pictured, Actual Serving Is Larger

Gulkand Malai Phirni Tasting Portion Pictured, Actual Serving Is Larger

We enjoyed our dining experience at Awadh, and will be back for more. They're a solid choice for authentic North Indian cuisine / Awadhi cuisine, and while prices are reflective of the premium quality and effort, they offer good value especially for groups. Do reserve seats at Awadh before visiting, as they are usually booked out during peak periods.


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Update Nov-2021: Have been planning to revist Awadh all this time, but the various pandemic restrictions got in the way. Now over 1 year later, we finally managed to return to Awadh, and as expected, it was as memorable as ever. At Awadh, the ambience remains elegant and sophisticated, the service is still attentive and efficient, and the North Indian food quality was consistently hearty and delicious, although prices likewise remain at a premium, with an average spend of SGD $60 per person.

Enjoyed the Kurkuri Bhindi (SGD $16) last visit, so we ordered this again... and it's as good as ever. The vegetable fry of thinly sliced, delicately spiced lady's fingers / okra retains its addictively crisp, crunchy texture, with enticing vegetal sweet salty spice flavour. Love that it's light on the palate, and non-greasy. Excellent snack that entices you to keep reaching for more. Highly recommended!

Kurkuri Bhindi (SGD $16)

Kurkuri Bhindi

Kurkuri Bhindi

The Reshmi Broccoli Tikka (SGD $19) has fresh crunchy broccoli florets marinated in a creamy yoghurt and cashew nut paste, then roasted in the tandoor oven. The resulting layered notes of smoky milky nutty vegetal sweet flavour is light and delicious, and you still taste the natural notes of the broccoli. Nicely wholesome, though a little expensive for the portion size. Good!

Reshmi Broccoli Tikka (SGD $19)

Reshmi Broccoli Tikka

Reshmi Broccoli Tikka

The Bhatti Ka Murgh (SGD $24) remains a visual spectacle, with the hot plate of pan-seared bone-in chicken, which has been pre-marinated in yoghurt and whole spices, smoky and sizzling when served. The billowing clouds carry the aroma well, and the chicken is tender and moist, pulling easily off the bone, with bold smoky savoury milky spice salty sweet flavour. Yum. Good!

Bhatti Ka Murgh (SGD $24)

Bhatti Ka Murgh

The Tandoori Roti (SGD $5) is a thin chewy stretchy unleavened flatbread, made with atta / whole wheat flour and baked in a tandoor oven, having a smoky bready grainy sweet flavour. Serves as a good palate for dipping and picking up curries, and it's light enough not to distract. Worth ordering!

Tandoori Roti (SGD $5)

Tandoori Roti

A tasty dish more commonly sold in India than in Singapore, the Aloo Kulcha (SGD $9) features soft spiced potatoes stuffed within a chewy crisp unleavened flatbread made from maida / refined white wheat flour. Bold with starchy sweet spice bready flavour, this is a comforting dish to pair with curries, and lends body. But it also quickly fills you up. Good!

Aloo Kulcha (SGD $9)

Aloo Kulcha

The Motiya Mushroom Korma (SGD $20) is an authentic Lucknowi curry, filled with chunky tender button mushrooms and juicy green peas. The korma curry is thick and creamy with bold milky sweet notes, while the ingredients lend pleasant vegetal earthy sweet flavour, yet it remains so satisfying. Good!

Motiya Mushroom Korma (SGD $20)

Motiya Mushroom Korma

The Mughlai Anda Masala (SGD $17) is tasty, with a rich thick saffron flavoured curry gravy that is robust savoury salty spice sweet in flavour. The 2 hard-boiled eggs within are nicely cooked, with eggy sweet flavour, and lend good body to the curry. But I can't get past the premium price of this dish, it's really high.

Mughlai Anda Masala (SGD $17)

Mughlai Anda Masala

Loved the Methi Mahi Kaliyan (SGD $23), which features tender flaky fillets of seasonal fish (either king mackerel fish / king fish, or basa catfish) in a rich creamy fenugreek and ginger infused curry gravy. This carries lovely savoury sweet salty herbal spice flavour, mild and enticing. Kept reaching for more, and the fish fillets are medium sized and generous too. Good!

Methi Mahi Kaliyan (SGD $23)

Methi Mahi Kaliyan

The Awadhi Murgh Biryani (SGD $25) was as good as ever. Kept thinking about it, and finally managed to return for more. Easily among the best biryani in Singapore. Highly recommended!

Awadhi Murgh Biryani (SGD $25)

Awadhi Murgh Biryani

The Apple Jalebi (SGD $12) features sliced rings of granny smith green apples, coated in a spiced batter and steeped in a simple syrup. You get the slight crisp crunch to the exterior and the lovely sweet spice notes; followed by the juicy soft interior with warm with fruity sweet flavour, beautifully layered. Served with a saffron infused milk pudding dip with earthy herbal spice sweet milky flavour. As good as ever, though the batter is slightly larger now, and holds up better than before. Highly recommended!

Apple Jalebi (SGD $12)

Apple Jalebi

The Gulkand Malai Phirni (SGD $10) was as good as before, and I like that it's not overly sweet. Served in small individual portions, although we shared this. Good cap to a good meal!

Gulkand Malai Phirni (SGD $10)

Gulkand Malai Phirni

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