It’s a tiny little place tucked away in a commercial building in BTM Layout. But amidst the numerous eateries and restaurants in this suburb, Hungry Lee manages to stand out. The place is testament to the fact that big surprises come in small packages.
Started by Aditi Shetty, a former business development manager with one of the top startups of the country, this restaurant is a labour of love. We trooped to the eatery for a quick lunch on a weekday. What impressed us first was the understated decor. Despite a handful of tables and bar stools, the place has minimal design elements. The menu is displayed on a blackboard and includes options such as Asian rolls, dim sums and curries.
We started with appetisers — the Chicken Lab Kai with wanton chips and Spicy creamy tofu dim sums. The minced chicken of the Lab Kai was well spiced. Coarse yet lush, it was complemented by the crisp wanton chips perfectly. But it was the tofu dim sums that took away all the attention from the Lab Kai. The soft, pillowy dumplings filled with tofu and grated cheese were the perfect start to the meal. The tofu and cheese made a nice pairing and the filling just melted in our mouth as we bit into the dim sum. We paired our appetisers with a jar of the non-alcoholic Classic Mojito — certainly a good choice after the spicy Lab Kai.
For main course, we chose the Mie Goreng — a delectable mix of spicy stir-fried noodles with vegetables and chicken. It’s a safe choice for those who like to stick to classics but the spices do make you reach for the jar of mojito. Thai red curry (chicken) with rice was served next. The curry pairs well with the fluffy long-grain rice, and ticks all the boxes. Another interesting offering on the menu is the ‘Create your own Hungry Bowl’. You make your own dish by choosing a base (stir fried rice/noodles/steamed rice), sauce (Kung Pao/Korean/Black bean/Hunan basil) and protein (tofu/chicken/prawns).
What truly amazed us is the fact that all the servings were quite large. Too full for desserts, we wrapped up our meal with another jar of mojito. This place is a must-visit for those who would like to try Pan-Asian fare at easy prices.
Rs 400 for two. At 16th Main, BTM Layout. Details: 9900676240
Email: ayeshatabassum@newindianexpress.com
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