Hangzhou’s two Indian restaurants, Haveli and Indian Kitchen, have achieved somewhat institution status in town and have ridden out the restaurant storm where other places have died a quiet death. Quite an achievement when you consider that they are placed a Deli-Belly distance apart.

Well, Indian food connoisseurs will be happy to note that there is now a new kid on the block in the form of the newly opened Moksh… Ok, so it’s not the same block, but rather a little further in the East of town – more options can’t be a bad thing though can they?

Located a little down from the junction of Jiefang and Jiangguo, it’s within walking distance of the Shamrock and Holiday Inn. Opened for a week, we were put on to it by a friend who said the food is not to be missed. Therefore it was with some excitement that the 4 Indian food critics in us set off to put the menu through its paces.

The restaurant is easy to find with foot high illuminated red letters slung on the outside of a black shiny two story building just by the Jianguo Lu tunnel.

As we approached the tinted windowed door, the staff reacted with pleasant efficiency, opened the door and welcomed us in. Unfortunately the sophisticated illusion of the exterior quickly faded revealing a slightly drab, albeit freshly painted, faded grey interior. But we had come on the recommendation of the food not the decor.

We were ushered past the wood topped, spirit stocked bar and seated on the upper floor over looking the tables and bar below. A large projector played a mixture of what one assumes were Bollywood music video hits. We were the only table at the time and the English speaking Indian Manager was quick to give us Menus and take our drinks order. They were out of Kingfisher, but assured us that this would be rectified by the next time we came.

The menus were a little hard to navigate at first, maybe due to lack of pictures, but once you took the time and delve inside the favourites were there. All currys are represented from Vindaloo, through Bhuuna to Rogan Josh. Couple those with Chicken, Beef and Lamb and you’ve got yourself a good start. The Tandoor is well represented too with a selection of meats and fish. Numerous vegetable dishes should also help keep the Vegetarians happy.

Our group kicked things off with a Chili Paneer, Samosa, Kebab Platter and Onion Bhaji’s. The Paneer was a little on the sweet and sour Chinese style sauce, but the Samosa and kebabs pulled through. It was the Onion Bhaji’s that stole the first round though; a large basket of hot crispy Bhaji’s accented by condiment sauces of aniseed and mint.

The starter had arrived within what seemed like a few minutes of placing the order and it was with little further delay that the rest of our food began to arrive. It was at this point that the portion size became evident. If you go to Moksh, expect to eat a lot; the servings far exceed those in Haveli or the ‘Kitchen. Suddenly the agreeable prices seemed a whole lot more agreeable.

For main course we ordered Chicken Madras, Saag Aloo, Aloo Gobi, Yellow Butter Naan, Lamb Rogan Josh and a couple of Naan to mop up. Half way through we were starting to falter and the amount of food still looked a little unapproachable. Seasoned veterans that we are, and indeed to offer unbiased opinions as to who had chosen the best dishes, we ploughed on.

In the end it was difficult to split the dishes all receiving the much acclaimed mark of ‘Moreish’. (Though the Chicken Madras, ordered extra hot, REALLY hit the spot!).

By this time another couple of people had happened upon the restaurant and they too were welcomed and looked after with the same courtesy that we had grown accustomed to over our dining experience. The Indian Manager was very apologetic and explained that they have organised dining entertainment in the way of a belly dancer, but she was to start later in the week. Nice as that might have been, we were all rather more focussing on our own bellies and the amount of food and drink we had expanded them with.

The Verdict: Moksh provide a good alternative Indian Restaurant to Hangzhou, the prices are fair – expect to get away between 100-150 RMB / person depending on how many beers (20RMB for a Corona) you need to put out any fires. The food is good and the quantity is not to be sniffed at. The decor is lacking which is a shame, but it was noted by an Englishman of the group that it was a very close dining experience to that he associates with the UK. We not sure whether that reflects positively or negatively on Moksh or the Englishman in question, but it would be a real shame to see this restaurant not get the chance it more than deserves.

We are all talking about going back for a repeat test so for the moment Moksh awarded 3.5 out of 5. If they spruce up the interior and get a bit of colour in there… expect it to nudge 4 stars.

If you like curry, this place comes well recommended.

For some info about the other 2 Indian restaurants in Hangzhou, see the Hangzhoutours page.