Sticky Rice, Defence Colony, New Delhi

Restaurant Name: Sticky Rice, Defence Colony, New Delhi
Phone: +917357350060
Address: 9, Market, Block A, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 11:15 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1500
Cuisines: Asian, Japanese, Beverages, Desserts
Facilities: Takeaway Available, Seating Available

Sticky Rice: Southeast Asian with a Korean touch

This is the first time I had visited a branch of Sticky Rice, a fairly new brand in the Southeast Asian space and I was pleasantly surprised at the attempt to make the interiors – at least in the Defence Colony Market branch – appealing with the least possible fuss. The walls were light-colored and the seating was comfortable and eminently suitable for an informal restaurant in a busy market. Service is brisk and the person who served my table was fairly clued-on to the menu. As I visited during the Navratras, there was a sparse crowd, but I can certainly imagine this ground floor eatery becoming a popular landmark hereabouts, with at least 50% of their business in the home-delivery service.

Food

The finest soup on the menu is the imperial clear broth prawn ( 370). Thickened barely perceptibly, it was a masterpiece of sophisticated flavors with sections of snow peas and pak choi with whole prawns, perfectly cooked. Even the burnt garlic chicken soup ( 350) steered clear of chatpat Chinese and was made from superior Beijing-style soy flavored thickened broth with generous nuggets of chicken. upPeking duck bao ( 540) was a perfect rendition of a pillow-soft bao with thick slices of roast duck and juliennes of vegetables. Filling, aromatic, flavorful!

Three pepper sauce (chicken) ( 660) was the Chinese version of the Korean Bibimbap: sizzling rice served in a stone bowl, packed with oriental flavors: not quite fully Korean nor fully Chinese, but a rather appealing blend of both, with a hint of sourness from rice vinegar. Next time I visit (which will be soon!) I will order a portion to take home: it is a perfect snack/meal that is moist and flavorful enough to be eaten without an accompaniment. It is the same with Korean kimchi rice, where the rice itself has been imbued with the distinctive tang of Korean pickle. The buttery bitter chocolate mousse ( 380) is sin in a jar!

Plus & Minus

The one disappointment of the menu was the sushi. Too compacted, powdery rice, as if it had not been sufficiently cooked. Or, the talent in the kitchen needs more sushi making skills. Still, the wasabi nut, out of a tin of cocktail snacks, was a witty, original touch.