Chinese that gets your chin up

In Wok does great Chinese fare at modest prices. Yes, you will miss the alcohol but they more than make up for it with the food

In Wok does great Chinese fare at modest prices. Yes, you will miss the alcohol but they more than make up for it with the food

If you were familiar with Silver Wok, the cozy, uptown Chinese restaurant at the head of a leafy lane in Richmond Town, there's news. The 16-year-old restaurant, known for its impressive Chinese fare, has been relaunched with a new name.


Fu Yong Pics/ Satish Badiger

Make that, semi new. So, the 'wok' bit stays, perhaps because it's somehow cool for a Chinese restaurant to incorporate that term, as does the menu. What however has been scrapped is the bar because they claim that they believe in excelling in food. Also, the ground floor that accommodated seating before is now shut owing to water leakage issues.

That apart, everything is just the same, down to the decor and amiable waiters who get the order on your table barely 10 minutes after you've placed them. We went there on a Tuesday evening, when diners were sparse and the music was just right - loud enough to enjoy it and yet have a conversation with the person across the table.u00a0

We started with a Crab Soup (R 110), very well done with bits of crab in a thick stock. It perked up our appetite for a heavy meal, complete with appetisers that included a superbly done Bacon Wrapped Prawns (R 180) and Golden Fried Babycorn (R 130). The former was easily the best dish we tasted that evening with succulent prawns ensconced in crispy bacon wrapped in a golden batter. The Prawn Pepper Salt (R 250) that followed it, was, however average, with a negligible pepper quotient and way too much salt.

In Wok does steaks and a Chinese platter (R 700) that includes Chicken Wanton, Satay Chicken, Spring Rolls, Thai Chicken and Bacon Wrapped Prawns. And there are momos with chicken, mutton, beef and even the very rare prawn stuffing.

For the main course, we ordered a Veg Shanghai Rice (R 100) which is a combination of rice and noodles (less of the former and more of noodles) and Shredded Lamb in Hunan Sauce (R 250). You can take your pick from a host of sauces - there are hot bean, black bean, Szechwan and garlic sauces as well.

And then our eyes fell on the mixed Fu Yong (R 80) in the menu. Here's the interesting bit. They have got the spelling wrong despite being a restaurant that does Chinese food exclusively (it's spelt as Fuyon in the menu). The reason we were tempted to try this Chinese omelette peppered with pieces of pork, chicken and mutton, is because it's a rarity in most Chinese eateries. If you have a yen for all kinds of meat, and want them all on your palette at the same time, do try this one.

It had to be the ubiquitous, humble Chinese Tea (R 50) for washing down all that sin. The invigorating tea could have been complimented by a Lychee Ice cream beautifully, except that they had run out of ice cream. So only lychee it was. And that too was sheer bliss.

Perhaps the hardest thing to decide would be what makes this place rock for us - is it their unbelievable price points or the quality of food? In Wok does leave you on the horns of a dilemma. But it's a good place to be in, especially after you have had a very fulfilling meal that leaves you with absolutely no complaints.

ATu00a0 In Wok, Sheriff House, No. 85 Richmond Road CALL 9845109609
Meal for towu00a0Rs 1, 500

In Wok didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.

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