Indian YMCA canteen - been there ?

[civilservant]

malumbu Wrote:

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> It was OK, cheap, slightly disappointing.

>

It's a cafeteria for Indians visiting London and staying in the Y above. So the food is generic, rather than based on regional specialties. Saying it's 'authentic Indian' is a bit like saying that fish and chips is 'authentic British' - not strictly accurate but not wrong either

IMO the food in the Hare Krishna places is disgusting - a poor Western imitation of Indian vegetarian food. The most 'authentic' veggie Indian meal I've eaten in London was at Rasa in that little street opposite John Lewis.

[KidKruger]

What we (who presumably have either never been to, or at least never spent very long in India) call 'authentic' is neither here nor there. What's our experience ? Bangladeshi-run curry houses and a couple of programs on telly ?

At the Indian YMCA it's cooked by, served by and served to Indians. I think they know their own shit. So for 'authentic' I don't think we need to continue a discussion because no-one really has anything to go by do they.

Whether you like the food or not is a separate question. This is London and there's plenty options if you want another option, as has been already pointed out.

[malumbu]

I put 'authentic' in inverted commas for exactly the reason others have pointed out - there is no such thing.

Do try the India Club in the Strand, opposite the High Commission, where Indian's serving and no doubt Indian's eating, so they no doubt know there own 'shit' What a strange thing to say KidKruger. Very mixed reviews I hasten to add.

And having not been to India for a few years, no doubt everything evolves. I spent years trying to perfect my own curry and then worked out what I was doing wrong, not enough salt and not enough oil. There's healthy for you.

[civilservant]

hmm, I've been to the India Club and it's ok - the same generic 'Indian' food as one would get in the Y

I am puzzled by your reference to 'curry' and the need for extra salt/oil. Do you mean a generic meat curry of the kind served up in 'Indian' restaurants? My own experience of South Indian cooking is that very little of either salt or oil is needed to make a curry palatable and 'authentic', unless the recipe demands it - it's all about appropriate ingredients and spicing.

[malumbu]

I put bugger all salt in my food, and try to use little oil. Just sometimes you need a little bit more of both!

[civilservant]

malumbu Wrote:

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> I put bugger all salt in my food, and try to use

> little oil.

Me too.

But you're right, even stuff like dhal needs a bit of salt - and everything tastes better with ghee in!

[philip walker]

I work for The YMCA in London, we use the Indian YMCA conference facilities now and then, the food in the canteen is lovely, if I am in the area I will go there for lunch.

[KidKruger]

Been there today. Yummo.

?7 for fish fry, special rice, raita, dahl.

[SLad]

Having recently married a Gujarat man who is an amazing cook I am now ruined for all rubbishy English curry house restaurants but this and Rasa sound interesting. Have eaten at the India club and think it's pants. Hubby says not to judge quality by whether Indians eat in a place as it's not necessarily an indicator of quality, more demonstrative of many Indiand love for eating spiced food at lunchtime. Having said all that, when hubby can't be bothered to cook and wants Indian we order from Indigo in w Dulwich and ask for Indian spiced of whatever dish we order. The potato Sosa is really good. Also heard good things about a take away in Dulwich Village but not found that yet.