Jellian Williams
Google
A Culturally Curious Bite
My Honest Take on This Indian Restaurant
About a week ago, I visited this Indian restaurant and ordered their curry chicken with a side of spiced rice (I can’t recall the exact name of the rice, but you’ll recognize it in the photo). At first glance, everything looked good—but after tasting it, a few things stood out that made me curious enough to look deeper into how Indian cuisine is traditionally prepared.
I’ve been to several Indian restaurants around Atlanta, especially in the suburb Cities, because Indian food is honestly one of my favorite cuisines. At those other spots, I took the time to ask the chefs and staff questions about how they cook their curry chicken—whether it’s region-specific, or if it’s adapted in any way for other countries taste. Most of them shared that authentic Indian curry can vary depending on the region, but there’s usually a consistent depth of flavor, spices, and cooking technique that preserves the cultural roots of the dish.
What I’ve learned is that while some restaurants do blend their dishes with other countries influence for a different texture or flavor, others prefer to keep the cuisine strictly traditional. A few chefs even told me that keeping cultural dishes separate and true to their origin allows people to really experience the taste and story behind each country’s food.
That’s why this visit stood out. The curry chicken here tasted noticeably different from what I’ve experienced at other Indian spots. It had its own flavor profile, and the rice—while flavorful—was a bit too oily for my liking. Maybe that’s just how this type of rice is prepared, but compared to what I’ve tried before, it felt heavier than usual.
Now, this isn’t to say the food was bad—it just wasn’t what I expected based on my past experiences. Every restaurant has its own approach, and I respect that. For someone who’s new to Indian cuisine or enjoys fusion-style dishes, this place might be a great entry point. But if you’re like me and you’ve tasted more traditional versions of Indian cuisine, you may notice the difference right away.
At the end of the day, I appreciate any place that sparks curiosity and gets me thinking more about food and culture—and this spot definitely did that. It reminded me that every dish has a story, and sometimes, it’s worth digging a little deeper to taste the difference.