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Chi, SDA Market

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By Sid Khullar • Nov 17th, 2008 • Category: Restaurants in South Delhi, Reviews

(2.5/5)

Cha, SDA Market

Cha, SDA Market

This Friday saw me at with Deepinder Goyal (of FoodieBay.com fame), collectively moaning the tough internet business scene. We met at this new place called ‘Chi’ at SDA Market, Opposite the IIT Delhi Main gate.

An IITian and foodie himself, Goyal has made quite something out of FoodieBay.com – you must go check it out!

Chi calls itself an ‘Asian kitchen’ and offers Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. It has a warm cosy ambience, which is highlighted by the low, warm lighting. The menu is one huge laminated sheet and is quite different from most I’ve seen. Featuring the required north-eastern service staff and an open kitchen, the service is friendly , attentive and helpful. The entire ambience is complimented by the non-obtrusive music.

We started with a crispy sesame and lettuce salad (199), clear soup for Deepinder (145) and a prawn ramen soup (175) for me. Deepinder thought his soup was very good. My soup was average and the prawns were overcooked. Tasted mostly of hot water and soya really. The salad however, was another story. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, the red bell were crunchy and the flavored just right. The sesame was definitely there, but not too ‘in your face’, as is so often the case. Excellent. I’d order it again anyday.

Our next course was based on a Cantonese Chow Mein (295), which was pan fried noodles, topped with a vegetable , served in the pan. We also ordered a Shanghai Steam (345), Beancurd and Chinese Greens in a Peanut , and Sliced Lamb in Basil.

The chow mein was quite ordinary – the was tender, however, the was mostly without flavor. The Shanghai Steam was a steamed fillet topped with a thick, soya flavored with finely chopped bell and soya beans. Again, the flavor balance was upset. The beancurd used the same vegetables as in all the other dishes (or was it my selection) and the peanuts weren’t quite there – they tasted raw. The sliced lamb with basil leaves could have been quite good as the lamb was tender and the just right… only the chef had been quite heavy handed with the soya. These chaps do love their soya!

All in all, while I did enjoy Deepinders company, the meal could definitely have been better. They’ve got most things right, but a little more attention to what the chef is dishing out and a little more interest from the chefs end could make Chi quite the oriental food destination.

Click here for Address, phone numbers and more.

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Sid Khullar is a self confessed food addict who likes cooking, writing and photography... and travel, if it gets him closer to a good book and interesting food.
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6 Responses »

  1. Hi Sid,

    When i went to Chi (SDA) with my family, we had ordered the sea-food dimsums and phad thai noodles. The dimsums were wonderfully succulent and had a very prominent crab flavor, you could actually taste sweet crab meat in it. The phad thai were equally good – spicy and tangy interspersed with the bit sized crumbled peanuts. I guess its really a matter of what the kitchen staff at chi are good with.

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  2. @Kanika: That’s wonderful. Sounds like it’s time for another visit. I do like their ambiance and some of their dishes.

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  3. Sid: you could also try the Chi at Select Citywalk – you might have a better experience.

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  4. @Kanika: Will do, thanks!

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  5. @Kanika: Then again, I usually fulfill all my food cravings at home. :-) So rarely go out to ‘eat’. :D

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  6. I think this is the best review of chi resturant , Great food and great place.
    Guys , Check out this great offer at http://mydala.com for all foodies . A 1000 bucks coupon for only 500 bucks. offer ending in next 48 hours

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