Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

Wednesday 01 November 2017

Lucinda O’Sullivan, who absolutely loves spicy food, gives you her top 20 Asian restaurants. So, whether you're after a Nepalese Ledobedo, a Thai Massaman or an Indian Vindaloo, you're sure to find the right place to suit your palate among her favorites.

CAPITAL CURRIES

ANANDA
The flagship of Asheesh Dewan’s Jaipur Group, this is a stunning venue in the penthouse of Dundrum Town Centre. With a great cocktail bar and equally great food, don’t miss the amazing water-lily light fittings. Try: Robata grilled guinea fowl with 24-carat gold leaf, black-eyed bean potli (rice balls), quinoa bhel (puffed rice), saffron honey naan.
anandarestaurant.ie

CHAMELEON
Opened in 1994 in Temple Bar, Kevin O’Toole and Carol Walsh’s Indonesian inspired restaurant, serving rijstaffel and contemporary Asian tapas, is an absolute must. Try: Javanese curry with braised Wicklow lamb and sweet potato.
chameleonrestaurant.com

JAIPUR DALKEY
In the pretty village of Dalkey, Co. Dublin, home to writers, actors, and rock ‘n rollers, Jaipur has had them all for their Indian food fix, including Chris O’Dowd, Sinead O’Connor, and Bono, whose fave dish is Keema Naan. Try: Lobster Lagosta Kari – Howth lobster with fresh turmeric, raw mango, buttermilk and corn pulao.
jaipur.ie

KATHMANDU KITCHEN
Raj Koirala’s Kathmandu Kitchen on Dame Street is a real authentic experience of the food of Nepal, a country landlocked by China and Tibet in the north and India on the south, and bearing the influences of all three countries. MoMo are their most famous dumpling dish. Try: Spicy Gorkhali chicken with yoghurt, fresh chillies, coriander, ginger and garlic.
kathmandukitchen.ie

KOH
With an alfresco dining area, a cool cocktail bar, and a chic restaurant, Koh has great Thai/Asian food, atmosphere and music in a city setting. The perfect place day or night. Try: Thai Red Duck Curry – lychee, pineapple, cherry tomato, aubergine, sweet pepper, sweet basil.
koh.ie

MASALA
Located at Killiney Shopping Centre, Masala serves restaurant quality food to take home, with the chefs cooking it in front of you in a large open kitchen. They have also recently opened in Blanchardstown, as well as having Siri opposite Christchurch Cathedral.
masala.ie

NIGHTMARKET
The rustic flavours of Chiang Mai and the spicy seafood influences of the coastal town of Hua Hin are all in Conor Sexton and Jutarat Suwankeeree’s new Ranelagh restaurant, to stunning effect. A must visit. Try: Goong Ob Woon Sen – king prawn, pork belly, glass noodles, cooked in a pot with ginger, garlic, black pepper, celery, nahm jim sauce.
nightmarket.ie

PICKLE 
Sunil Ghai’s Pickle serves North Indian food in a really cool setting,  based on the faded elegance of the old Irani cafes of Bombay, doing small and larger plates. Try: Kid goat mince, slowly braised with onion, garlic and black cardamom, served with maska pao (bread).
picklerestaurant.com

RASAM
Nisheeth Tak’s Glasthule restaurant is a shining beacon in the Indian food world. Having pioneered and popularised contemporary Indian food in Ireland, Tak never fails to delight and titillate with ever-new contemporary regional dishes. The atmosphere is buzzy, the service sublime, which is why it is the haunt of famous faces such as Miriam O’Callaghan, Pat Kenny, Chris de Burgh, Rosanne Davison and more. Try: Keralan Muscovy duck filo rolls with star anise, fig and tamarind.
rasam.ie

SABA
Paul Cadden’s citified Saba restaurants are on Clarendon and Baggot Streets, serving Thai food as it should be under the direction of Executive Chef Tao Trakoolwattanna. Green and red Thai curries are well known but go for something different. Try: Massaman chicken curry with potatoes, onions, peanuts and crispy shallots.
sabadublin.com

VEDA
Just off the N11 in Cabinteely Village, Krishan Kant’s colourful and welcoming Indian restaurant is a bastion of excellent traditional Indian food with great curries by Head Chef Jagdish Singh and team. It has a loyal clientele and offers great value. Try: Tilapia fish in mango flavoured sauce.
vedarestaurant.ie 

CRUISING THE COUNTRY

CHAKRA BY JAIPUR
Set in a cool contemporary space in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Chakra has become a hot fave with local diners and Indian food aficionados from near and far. Try: Tandoori Waterford monkfish tail, pink peppercorns, cured mustard, coconut sauce & tomato rice.
jaipur.ie

CHANDPUR
Rana and Susan Miah’s plush and atmospheric Indian restaurant in Donegal Town is the real deal, offering customers a superb range of authentic and utterly satisfying dishes. Try: Indian Railway Curry – a dish fit for the Raj, served in the dining section of the famous Indian Railways of yore.
chandpurdonegal.com

CINNAMON GARDEN
Aashim Bajaj, opened his luxurious restaurant in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, eight years ago serving contemporary and traditional regional Indian food to the denizens of the Royal County. Try: Rajasthank Gosht – yoghurt infused lamb, aromatic spices.
cinnamongarden.ie

EASTERN TANDOORI
Abdur Rahim has been welcoming visitors and locals alike for excellent traditional Indian food in his plush Galway restaurant for over 20 years. Try: Deshi Fish Curry with roast cumin, red chilli, coconut and garlic paste
eastern-tandoori-galway.com

HAVELI
New Delhi born Gerald Joseph and his wife Majella’s Indian Restaurant, in the Cork superb of Douglas, is a very popular spot which also has a coeliac menu. Try: Pork Vindaloo – a Goan delicacy of pork, potatoes, herbs and spices.
haveli.ie

IYER'S
Gautham iyer hit just the right note with his brilliant little cafe on Pope’s Quay in Cork. If you ever thought of being a vegetarian, you will be after a visit here. You could easily become addicted to this place. Try: Beetroot and paneer cutlets.
facebook.com/iyerscafe

PINK SALT
Newly opened, this is a great addition to the Wicklow town of Bray’s dining repertoire. The guys here all previously worked either at Rasam or with the Jaipur Group, so you can be sure of good traditional Indian food and service. Try: Lucknowi lamb biryani, sweet aromatic spices, ginger and basmati rice, brown onion, fresh mint and yoghurt.
pinksalt.ie

SETHU CURRY HOUSE
Sethu means ‘bridge’ in the Tamil dialect and, set on The Square in Killorglin, it serves excellent reasonably priced traditional curries. Try: Lamb Dopiaza ('two onions') with fried onions and herbs.
sethucurryhouse.com

THE CURRY HOUSE
Set in the South Court Hotel, at Limerick’s Raheen roundabout, in a cool contemporary setting, Chef Lekhraj Kapi, serves up great curries. Try: Keralan Chemmeen Mango curry – prawns, ginger, creamy coconut sauce.
southcourthotel.com 

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