Modern Indian fare with a casual touch at The Indian Cookery

Tucked between Kreta Ayer and Neil roads is Keong Saik Road, which has some of the hippest bars and cafes.
Tucked between Kreta Ayer and Neil roads is Keong Saik Road, which has some of the hippest bars and cafes.
The 50-seat fast food restaurant serves more than 20 popular dishes from cuisines including Singapore, Mexican and Italian, grouped according to five health goals such as muscle-building.
The 50-seat fast food restaurant serves more than 20 popular dishes from cuisines including Singapore, Mexican and Italian, grouped according to five health goals such as muscle-building.
What's unique about Indline is its "Subway inspired style".
What's unique about Indline is its "Subway inspired style".
Try healthier versions of local dishes such as chicken rice, with steamed chicken breast and basmati brown rice.
Try healthier versions of local dishes such as chicken rice, with steamed chicken breast and basmati brown rice.
Diners queue at the counter and customise their meals with the Indbox ($14.50) which comes with a choice of rice, a main, daal, salad and naan.
Diners queue at the counter and customise their meals with the Indbox ($14.50) which comes with a choice of rice, a main, daal, salad and naan.
Meals start from $6.50.
Meals start from $6.50.
The box caters to the busy lunch crowd and patrons who want a quick bite, giving them the option of customising their meal from an array of curries, tikkas, kebabs, dhals, salads, naans and rice, all in one box.
The box caters to the busy lunch crowd and patrons who want a quick bite, giving them the option of customising their meal from an array of curries, tikkas, kebabs, dhals, salads, naans and rice, all in one box.
Owner Edward Chia, 27, who is half-Korean, gives his childhood dish of bibimbap (Korean mixed rice dish) a modern update at his 11-month-old shop.
Owner Edward Chia, 27, who is half-Korean, gives his childhood dish of bibimbap (Korean mixed rice dish) a modern update at his 11-month-old shop.
The restaurant also offers healthier options, such as the Salad Box ($10), which has a main dish and kachumber (Indian salad) and a Kati roll ($8.50), which has a tikka or kebab rolled with salad in an oatmeal wrap.
The restaurant also offers healthier options, such as the Salad Box ($10), which has a main dish and kachumber (Indian salad) and a Kati roll ($8.50), which has a tikka or kebab rolled with salad in an oatmeal wrap.
Diners can customise their lunchbox with 20 ingredients including sous vide meats, such as beef bulgogi, vegetables such as beansprouts and lotus roots, and rice.
Diners can customise their lunchbox with 20 ingredients including sous vide meats, such as beef bulgogi, vegetables such as beansprouts and lotus roots, and rice.
Mr Chintan Vansola, 35, general manager of VSCO, a Singapore-based trading company that owns Indian eatery Indline in Keong Saik Road, says it has just two service staff stationed at the food counter.
Mr Chintan Vansola, 35, general manager of VSCO, a Singapore-based trading company that owns Indian eatery Indline in Keong Saik Road, says it has just two service staff stationed at the food counter.
Everything is served in a paper container shaped like an ice cream tub. Prices start from $7.90.
Everything is served in a paper container shaped like an ice cream tub. Prices start from $7.90.
He says: "Going self-service keeps costs low, and we spend less time training staff."
He says: "Going self-service keeps costs low, and we spend less time training staff."
Taking a leaf from economical rice stalls' book, this 46-seat restaurant allows diners to construct their meals from a choice of more than 30 ingredients.
Taking a leaf from economical rice stalls' book, this 46-seat restaurant allows diners to construct their meals from a choice of more than 30 ingredients.
Mr Vansola adds: "It differentiates us from the neighbouring sit-down restaurants."
Mr Vansola adds: "It differentiates us from the neighbouring sit-down restaurants."
For $16, diners get a bowl with one grain, one hot vegetable, two servings of cold vegetables, one sauce and one topping. Choose from grains such as Japanese rice and quinoa, and pair it with food from an eclectic range of cuisines such as Korean, It
For $16, diners get a bowl with one grain, one hot vegetable, two servings of cold vegetables, one sauce and one topping. Choose from grains such as Japanese rice and quinoa, and pair it with food from an eclectic range of cuisines such as Korean, Italian and Mediterranean.
"It is also less intimidating for diners who are new to Indian cuisine as they can ask our staff questions while choosing their food over the counter."
"It is also less intimidating for diners who are new to Indian cuisine as they can ask our staff questions while choosing their food over the counter."
Meats include grilled striploin steak and greens include mixed bean pico de callo and apple kimchi. Garnish the meal with sauces and toppings such as tamarind chipotle vinaigrette.
Meats include grilled striploin steak and greens include mixed bean pico de callo and apple kimchi. Garnish the meal with sauces and toppings such as tamarind chipotle vinaigrette.
This two-week old salad bar focuses on protein-heavy salads (from $12).
This two-week old salad bar focuses on protein-heavy salads (from $12).
Malai Kulfi ($4), a homemade frozen milk dessert with ground pistachios and almonds.
Malai Kulfi ($4), a homemade frozen milk dessert with ground pistachios and almonds.
Pick from meats such as chicken breast seasoned in Cajun spices, sirloin steak and pan-seared ahi tuna, and pair them with more than 30 ingredients such as brown rice, romaine leaves, sous vide egg, Japanese cucumber and quinoa.
Pick from meats such as chicken breast seasoned in Cajun spices, sirloin steak and pan-seared ahi tuna, and pair them with more than 30 ingredients such as brown rice, romaine leaves, sous vide egg, Japanese cucumber and quinoa.
Mango and Rose Lassi ($4).
Mango and Rose Lassi ($4).
The 54-seat eatery also serves paleo-friendly broth simmered with chicken bones, beef bones and vegetables for more than 12 hours (from $4.50 for a 240ml serving).
The 54-seat eatery also serves paleo-friendly broth simmered with chicken bones, beef bones and vegetables for more than 12 hours (from $4.50 for a 240ml serving).
Tandoori Chicken Tikka ($11).
Tandoori Chicken Tikka ($11).
Diners can pick from more than 15 dishes across four set menus. The most popular set is the Indbox ($14.50).
Diners can pick from more than 15 dishes across four set menus. The most popular set is the Indbox ($14.50).
Kadhai Prawns ($12) and Cheese Naan.
Kadhai Prawns ($12) and Cheese Naan.
It comprises a main such as lamb vindaloo, butter chicken or palak paneer (spinach cooked with cottage cheese), a daal, salad and naan.
It comprises a main such as lamb vindaloo, butter chicken or palak paneer (spinach cooked with cottage cheese), a daal, salad and naan.
The four-month-old restaurant also offers healthier options, such as the Salad Box ($10), which has a main dish and kachumber (Indian salad) and a Kati roll ($8.50), which has a tikka or kebab rolled with salad in an oatmeal wrap.
The four-month-old restaurant also offers healthier options, such as the Salad Box ($10), which has a main dish and kachumber (Indian salad) and a Kati roll ($8.50), which has a tikka or kebab rolled with salad in an oatmeal wrap.
Amrita Kaur
Updated
Oct 24, 2016, 04:52 PM
Published
Oct 09, 2015, 06:24 PM

SINGAPORE - (TABLA!) Tucked between Kreta Ayer and Neil roads is Keong Saik Road, which has some of the hippest bars and cafes. As a fan of Indian cuisine, I was excited to learn that a casual yet modern Indian eatery Indline - The Indian Cookery had been added to its dining line-up.

I dropped by for lunch and my first impressions of the eatery were that it had a colourful interior and a relaxed dining area compared to other Indian restaurants I've dined in.

But what's unique about Indline is its "Subway inspired style". Diners queue at the counter and customise their meals with the Indbox ($14.50) which comes with a choice of rice, a main, daal, salad and naan.

The box caters to the busy lunch crowd and patrons who want a quick bite, giving them the option of customising their meal from an array of curries, tikkas, kebabs, dhals, salads, naans and rice, all in one box.

Since it was Indline's signature item, I decided to try it too. I chose the Saffron Basmati Rice ($6), Lamb Vindaloo ($11), Dhal Tadka ($7), Kachumbar, a tangy chopped spicy salad with freshly- squeezed lemon ($2), and Cheese Naan ($4).

I found the steamed rice with saffron, sprinkled with fried onions, very fragrant. I paired this with the flavourful Lamb Vindaloo.

Of the five dishes in the box, the lamb was a winner for me - the cubes were slightly spicy, tender and succulent but I felt the serving wasn't enough for someone like me who enjoys eating lamb.

What also caught my eye was the Kadhai Prawns ($12) - a dish that is not commonly found in many Indian restaurants. I ate this with the Cheese Naan and found it a good mix. The prawns, tossed in vegetables, had a nice mix of spices and were very fresh.

It was my first time trying cheese naan. I found it very soft and fluffy, with a generous portion of cheese.

I also tried the all-time classic Chicken Tikka ($11). At Indline, the tikka, boneless chicken marinated with spices and yogurt, is baked in a tandoor oven and served on a hotplate. Unlike other chicken tikkas I've tried, this one was moist, tender and well-marinated. It was quite possibly the best chicken tikka I'd ever tasted.

I washed it all down with a Rose Lassi ($4). Don't confuse this with the Bandung drink though. It tastes nothing like it. The rose taste was very distinct and the lassi was rich and thick. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you will enjoy this unique lassi.

No meal is complete without desserts. I had the Malai Kulfi ($4), a homemade frozen milk dessert with ground pistachios and almonds. I liked that it didn't melt too easily and the saffron added to the ice-cream made it fragrant.

It was a great dining experience. If you're in the Chinatown area and craving Indian food, you might want to head to Indline.

amritak@sph.com.sg

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