Over the past couple of years the number of South Asian eateries in Taipei has climbed to an all-time high. Sadly, however, the increase in numbers doesn't mean that good Indian or Pakistan fare is readily available. Some of the joints might boast "the real thing" in their adverts, but the reality is often different.
All too often, regular butter is substituted for ghee, naan breads are fried instead of baked and plain white rice is served as a sad surrogate for pulao rice. The bottom line is that there are still only three or four South Asian joints worth visiting in Taipei if you have a hankering for genuine Indian-Pakistan fare.
One place that is worth a visit is the recently opened Aaleja. Top Pakistani chef, NA Choudry's eatery may have been open less than two months, but Taipei's newest Indian-Pakistan restaurant has already staked its claim to a top spot in the very short list of good South Asian eateries.
PHOTO: GAVIN PHIPPS, TAIPEI TIMES
Tucked away in an alley adjacent to Yanji Street, Aaleja ("King" in English), serves up a good selection of popular and lesser-known dishes from both Pakistan and India. The interior design is minimalist, with a smattering of Asian themes. Seating is comfortable.
The menu is packed with appetizers, side dishes, mutton, chicken, beef, fish and vegetable curries as well as a good selection of biryani and tandoori platters and, of course, plenty of breads. All the meats served are Halal and while alcoholic beverages are not on the menu patrons are free to bring in their favored tipple.
Price-wise, Aaleja is on a par with Taipei's other three leading South Asian diners. On average it will cost diners between NT$800 and NT$1,000 for a slap-up dinner for two, or about NT$400 for one person. A few recommendations for a sumptuous meal at the Aaleja include aloo tikka (NT$130), mutton bhuna (NT$390), chicken zafrani (NT$450), seekh kabab (NT$290), zeera aloo (NT$210), chana masala (NT$260) and mutton pulao (NT$220). The naan bread is good.
Along with the regular menu the joint also serves up a lunch special in which diners can enjoy a set meal of soup, main course, bread, rice and salad, all for NT$195. It's cheap and there's certainly nothing wrong with the fare, but the special probably won't alleviate the hunger pangs of true curry purists.
In addition to the great chow, service at Aaleja is also worth a mention. When this reviewer hit the joint unannounced earlier this week with a ravenous posse of nine the staff didn't balk.
Orders were promptly taken and we were served an exceptional assortment of dishes. And, more importantly, there wasn't one complaint from any member of our party, which did include a couple of rather outspoken and fastidious diners.
Last week the story of the giant illegal crater dug in Kaohsiung’s Meinong District (美濃) emerged into the public consciousness. The site was used for sand and gravel extraction, and then filled with construction waste. Locals referred to it sardonically as the “Meinong Grand Canyon,” according to media reports, because it was 2 hectares in length and 10 meters deep. The land involved included both state-owned and local farm land. Local media said that the site had generated NT$300 million in profits, against fines of a few million and the loss of some excavators. OFFICIAL CORRUPTION? The site had been seized
Next week, candidates will officially register to run for chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). By the end of Friday, we will know who has registered for the Oct. 18 election. The number of declared candidates has been fluctuating daily. Some candidates registering may be disqualified, so the final list may be in flux for weeks. The list of likely candidates ranges from deep blue to deeper blue to deepest blue, bordering on red (pro-Chinese Communist Party, CCP). Unless current Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) can be convinced to run for re-election, the party looks likely to shift towards more hardline
Sept. 15 to Sept. 21 A Bhutanese princess caught at Taoyuan Airport with 22 rhino horns — worth about NT$31 million today — might have been just another curious front-page story. But the Sept. 17, 1993 incident came at a sensitive moment. Taiwan, dubbed “Die-wan” by the British conservationist group Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), was under international fire for being a major hub for rhino horn. Just 10 days earlier, US secretary of the interior Bruce Babbitt had recommended sanctions against Taiwan for its “failure to end its participation in rhinoceros horn trade.” Even though Taiwan had restricted imports since 1985 and enacted
Enter the Dragon 13 will bring Taiwan’s first taste of Dirty Boxing Sunday at Taipei Gymnasium, one highlight of a mixed-rules card blending new formats with traditional MMA. The undercard starts at 10:30am, with the main card beginning at 4pm. Tickets are NT$1,200. Dirty Boxing is a US-born ruleset popularized by fighters Mike Perry and Jon Jones as an alternative to boxing. The format has gained traction overseas, with its inaugural championship streamed free to millions on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Taiwan’s version allows punches and elbows with clinch striking, but bans kicks, knees and takedowns. The rules are stricter than the
RSS