Ming is King in one of Mazagaon's busy lanes. Stop by for Chinese khaana made with a whole lot of desi heart and soul

Ming china
At: Mazagaon
Call: 64463671
Cuisine: Chinese
Verdict: Delicious

Advertising campaigns have traditionally hinged on the promise of 'authenticity': 'Only our pickles taste like the ones your nani made'. It's the same with food, starting with the quest for the authentic recipe and ending with the search for the most authentic food of a specific region.


Cheese Corn Ball pics/Bipin Kokate

It's been a while, though, since we've resolved that argument. We now know that food need not be 'authentic' to be good. Otherwise we would never have smothered the cauliflower in cornflour batter and deep-fried it. And McDonald's would never have served the McAloo Tikki burger.

The food that they serve at this 24-seater restaurant on one corner of Love Lane in Mazagaon is one-part Chinese, some-part Indian, but most parts inspired. Started by two friends, Ming China was Maharashtra Milk Bar in its previous avatar.

Masala abhi baaki hai
Non-vegetarians can choose from chicken, seafood, lamb, 'Something Special in Main Course' and even 'Something Special in Sizzlers'. Vegetarians have a page devoted to 'Vegetarian Fare'. Well, how much can you do with the 'gobi', 'aloo' and 'paneer' anyway!

The Cheese Corn Ball in Sapu Sauce (Rs 130) had deep-fried paneer and corn balls served in a 'secret' sauce, the recipe of which Head Chef Mohammed bhai was reluctant to divulge. We don't blame him. The Sapu sauce emerges the star here, covering up for the slightly doughy taste and texture of the lead protagonist of the dish.

The Veg Ming China Steam Rice (Rs 130) has crunchy, "Chinese sabzis" that include carrots and Shiitake mushrooms in a soya-based sauce over a bed of rice. Nice. We made the error of ordering the Mixed Vegetables in Hunan sauce (Rs 125), which was good, but overlapped with the flavours of the veggies already slopped over the rice dish. Vegetarians, it might be a better idea to go with a paneer or potato side, instead.

Dessert was the Fruit-Nut Money Bags with Ice Cream (Rs 125). Deep-fried wanton skins took the form of money bags or potlis, concealing their treasure of finely chopped cashews, dried figs, raisins and walnuts. Very sweet. Very nice. Khaana finish.

You might not want to make an evening of Ming China, but if you happen to live in the neighbourhood or are in the area to run a few errands, it's worth considering for paisa-vasool Chinese. And how many of us can pass on that!