A comparison of Ganga's and Royal Maharajah

Before HK's own Royal Maharajah was opened, Ganga's enjoyed flocks of students from HK into their restaurant for some months and now that Royal Maharajah is opened, I think they still do as Ganga's does have lots of appeals of its own over Royal Maharajah.

Here's my few peanuts of thoughts on  these 2.

1.Value for money: For the price it asked for,we would have expected a bigger portion from Royal Maharajah..it's fair to say that the serving dish at Ganga's provide a bit of an optical illusion that its serving portion is bigger but really, my stomach don't lie...However, we were told by the manager of Royal Maharajah that the ingredients they used are imported from India and Germany whereas Ganga's use local ingredients...which explains their reason for the higher pricing-to-smaller portion. If ya asking me, I'd rather have them use local ingredients...not that I could tell the difference between a Czech chicken and German chicken.

2. Atmosphere: Don't know which restaurant owned the lot Ganga's in now but Ganga's retained some its mural that we are dead sure aren't reflective of the Indian culture...haha..Royal Maharajah on the other hand prides itself in offering a sight of Indian culture and so you do get the feeling that you have entered an Indian restaurant especially  because of the altar for Hindu gods welcoming you at the entrance.

3. Taste: I haven't been to both of these restaurants as much as I like to, but on some occasions , I do order the same dishes eg. Butter Chicken at Royal Maharajah...which was um..a bit different on the 4 different times I have eaten it. Is it too much to ask for consistency??

4. Menu range:  Both restaurants offer a wide range of dishes....so much that you are confused temporarily at what to order...but I have to go with Royal Maharajah's for this one...cos they have lady's fingers/ okra!!!!!


5. Presentation of dishes: Thumbs up to both for using serving dishes that reflects an Indian meal experience...but maybe a bit extra to Ganga's for using ones that makes us feel the portion is bigger than it really is...:-P

6. Space: Ganga's has a really small space and because it's located at the basement level, it feels even smaller. It can't sit many patrons and so, it's highly recommended to reserve before hopping on a train to Pardubice. 

7. Location: Ok, not only is Royal Maharajah is right in HK, it's also 2 shops away from my flat...how lucky is that? :-P But really, both restaurants are easy to find as they are located in each city's Old Town area.

So well, I think all things considered, it's a bit of a tie between them. But if  I have time and want to feel like I am on a little holiday, I'll head for Ganga's...heeee

Fried Chicken Wings, Eggplant Curry & Sara's Random Mix

One of my housemate; Sara was feeling particularly productive today unlike me; who was going back and forth the room; on and off-ing at intervals, my fan and heater. It's good that her productiveness manifested in the form of cooking. Lucky me!

She promised me 2 or 3 days ago, to make me her finger-lickin' good chicken wings. The last time she made them was probably back in 1st Year itself! She haven't made it for so long that I've almost forgotten about it. These wings are reallyyyyy good. I remember texting her during summer break of 1st Year, telling her that her chicken wings were better than what I was eating at that time.

She spend almost half a day in the kitchen whipping up 2 other dishes as well; Eggplant Curry and something that is so mixed we don't know what to call it! :-D

Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• 12 Chicken Wings
• Chilli Powder; poured randomly from the packet [:ROFL:]
• Curry Powder; also poured randomly from the packet but less than the chilli powder
• Turmeric Powder; 3/4 teaspoon
• Ginger; pureed
• Garlic; pureed
• Salt; added as you like <--the all-important ingredient in Sara's cooking! 

Method:

1. Blend the ginger and garlic
2. Marinate the chicken with the ginger and garlic puree, salt, turmeric powder, curry powder and chilli powder for at least 1 hour
3. Fry them till chicken is cooked and browned!

Eggplant Curry

Ingredients:

• 2 Eggplants; cut lengthwise
• A sprig of Curry Leaves
• A pack of Delichef Fish Curry Paste
• Garlic; grated
• Onions; grated
• Asam Keping [dried slices of tamarind fruit]
• Salt
• Water

Method:

1. Fry the cumin and mustard seeds till aromatic
2. Fry the grated garlic, onions,and curry leaves
3. Fry the eggplant till cooked
4. Add in the fish curry paste and mix with some water
5. Stir it constantly until oil separates
6. Add salt to taste.

Sara's Random Mix 

Ingredients:

• 1 Box of  Mori-Nu Silken Firm Tofu; diced
• Chicken; diced
• Baby Prawns
• Tom Yam Paste
• Chilli Powder
• Oyster Sauce; poured randomly from the bottle
• Fish Sauce; 1 teaspoon
• Sesame oil; poured randomly from the bottle
• Kaffir Lime Leaf
• Egg
• Salt

 Method:

1. Fry the kaffir lime leaf till aromatic
2. Fry the chicken till cooked
3. Fry the tofu til browned
4. Add in the prawns and fry for a bit
5. Break egg and mix in a bowl. Add to pan and fry it while breaking it up. 
6. Add in the tom yam paste
7. Add oyster sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil and chilli powder
8. Add salt; according to taste

** She really, really thought this up on her own; that's why it's named after her!**

 Verdicts:
I swore I don't feel that sick right after eating the chicken wings. I chomp down 5 at my first go after she finished frying them. The wings are miracle....fine, I might be guilty of exaggerating a little! :-P
The eggplant curry is so good with rice. The eggplant is so soft, just the way I like it.
Hmmm....the mix...it's an interesting mix; strongly flavoured with tom yam. Can really taste it very well even after drenching my rice with the curry and chomping on more wings!


I will be dreaming of chicken wings tonight *Paradise* That's how it feels like when there's someone to cook for you when you are sick. :-D Thank you, Sara...and Mom, I appreciate you more again!