International Kitchens

Goa among several regional and coastal cuisines that it has on its plate, also houses myriad restaurants that specialize in diverse international cuisines. However, the authenticity of the food at most of the eateries serving international cuisine in Goa might not be up to the mark and may, however subconsciously, have Indian or regional influences which might end up as gastronomic disappointments. To spare you the horror of coming across and tasting Delhi Dimsums, Mumbai Maki Rolls, Raipur Ravioli, Bangaluru Burritos, or Kolkata Keftedakia; I have put together 5 of the most accurate international kitchens in the state.

1. Thalassa:
   When it comes to Greek food, Thalassa(Greek word for sea) raises my expectation bars on every visit. The eccentric Rocky beach view in Vagator that Thalassa has on offer will not fail to endow you with an astonishingly Mediterranean vibe. And the food? D-E-L-I-G-H-T-F-U-L! Do try out their Tiro-kaf-teri (spicy feta cheese based dipping sauce served With hot pitta bread); grilled Greek village sausages (made with a mixture of minced pork and beef with special herbs); Watermelon, feta, and mint salad; lamb Gyros Souvlaki wrap; Thalassa special burger(one of my personal favourites); and their seafood platter. It’s as authentic as it gets in Goa.
2. Sakana:
   In the quaint village of Chapora is a small joint which is rather massive on the authenticity scale. Sakana(Japanese for fish) is an authentic Japanese restaurant that’ll bestow you with the gastronomic pleasures of the far east in the western coast of India. To be honest, if you aren’t acquainted to the cuisine, you might not enjoy it as much but if you’re willing to experiment with your palate, Sakana is the place to be. Do try their beef curry rice, Yakiniku (grilled meat), Agedashi tofu, Gyoza(Japanese dumplings), and of course, sushi rolls.
3. Thai-N-Wok:
   Don’t you feel that Goa, considering its climate and topography, is somewhat similar to Thailand? Well, people often have debates on whether to visit Goa or Thailand keeping in mind that both are replete with lush greenery, serene beaches, and affordable accommodation. It’s no wonder then that Thai food tastes so delicious and is best had at Thai n Wok in Marriott lane, Panjim. You must try their Tom Yum soup, Hor Mok Talay(steamed seafood with coconut milk and chilli paste), and Gang Fed(hot red Thai curry) if you end up there.
4. Baba’s Wood Café:
   Almost every other restaurant in Goa claims to serve authentic Italian cuisine but trust me, there’s no authenticity in serving pasta and pizza with packaged Italian herbs and shredded American processed cheese sprinkled on it, no matter how succulent it might actually taste. Authenticity comes from legitimate sourcing and dedicated efforts to maintain consistency in the flavours and textures of the food benchmarked with what is served on the land where the food was born. This is exactly what you get at Baba’s Wood café, a quaint little Italian restaurant in Miramar run by Italian gastronome – Maria Grazia. Do try out their fish ravioli with spring onion, Panna a prosciutto (penne pasta in cream and ham sauce), wood-fired Salame Picante pizza, and their collection of haute Italian wine.
5. Republic of Noodles
   You must be wondering that an oriental gong is reverberating way too much in this petite article but I couldn’t stop to tell you about the gastronomic experiences I’ve had at this award winning fine dining pan-Asian restaurant in Candolim called Republic of Noodles. Being a part of Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, this eatery displays an exemplary combination of world-class service, highly researched and comforting ambiance along with superiorly authentic Chinese, Thai, and Asian food. You must try their grilled beef tenderloin with black pepper and lemongrass dressing, pork and lychee with sweet and sour sauce, fiery Sri Lankan fish curry with cherry tomatoes, and char kway teow (Malaysian stir-fried flat noodles with pork).

Text: Shubham Gupta

Pics courtesy: Thalassa, Sakana, Zomato, Trip Advisor, Republic of Noodles