The Place
There are restaurants in Shenzhen that could be better described as ‘Indian-themed’ than actually Indian. Saffron does not fall into that category; it is as comfortable with its identity aesthetically as what arrives on the plate.
The restaurant is the effort of a pair of Punjabi brothers aiming to make true north Indian food, meaning thick gravy curries and scented tandoori offerings served in an instantly recognizable setting of cane wicker chairs below a TV playing Bollywood clips.
The Food
We tried a huge selection of dishes from a thick menu complemented by a surprisingly extensive wine list.
The meal began with Indian staple samosas (RMB20) filled with a spiced-potato and pea-curry mix, contained in a flaky crust.
The next entree was what the restaurant dubbed a salad (RMB25), which formed the colors of the Indian flag with veggie sticks stuck into cups of mint yogurt.
Saffron uses a tandoori oven (a round baking machine that simulates traditional cooking) for some of its best dishes, like an expertly spiced mushrooms dish (RMB55).
Curry-wise, the green (a lasooni palak paneer if we want to get specific, RMB58) was the highlight, with its creamy veggie mix and chunks of mild paneer cheese.
For dessert, we recommend the RMB18 fried dough balls, which are served in a rich sugar sauce.
The Vibe
Though there are some creative efforts on the side of the menu, what you order is what you get. Saffron proves that a restaurant doesn’t need to dazzle with outlandish decoration or fusion cuisine: sometimes you just want the classics done right.
Price: RMB100
Who’s going: Indian families, traders
Good for: a Bollywood soundtrack, fresh naan
Nearest metro: Hubei (Exit B), 10 minutes
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