FOOD : Voujon Indian Dining, Edinburgh
I can’t remember the last time I was at Voujon Indian Restaurant in Newington, it must have been easily 5 years ago and let me tell you, nothing has changed! Okay maybe somethings have changed as in the decor has been refreshed and there is maybe some new staff, but all in all the layout, the vibrant purple branding and the spice mix are all still on track for a one way trip to flavour town!
A REVIEW OF VOUJON INDIAN DINING IN EDINBURGH
The restaurant is spotless, with the pristine white table clothes and immaculately polished glassware on every table. The staff are friendly and welcoming but not intrusive and I strangely love the fact that they deliver your food and collect your plates using a serving trolley.
This Indian restaurant is no frills - there is no spectacular indoor tree in full bloom and there is no ostentatious display of Indian art or decor, instead only thing that would hint that this place is an Indian restaurant is traditional Indian music from the overhead speakers.
This very modern space has an old school feel about it and its more evident in the presentation of the dishes. Food is served on square (ish) plates with a simple garnish. There is nothing fussy here! There is nothing to distract you from the superb flavours that come from each dish.
I’ve mentioned this before, you can’t visit an Indian Restaurant without tucking into Poppadums (£0/80p) and Chutney and Pickles tray (£2.95). I loved that the poppadums had been heated slightly and came with crispy edges. All the better for that initial crack and the spooning of the onion salad, mango chutney and lime pickle.
For starters I chose the Meat Samosas (£4.50) which are served with a special sauce that’s freaking awesome. The samosa had thin pastry that was super flaky, the filling was stuffed to all three corners, and was dense with just the right level of spice (check out my IG reel HERE). Beautiful!
Mr TS had the King Prawn Pathia with Puri (£7.95). This was two puffed fried breads cooked well (no grease in sight) topped with king prawns and in a superb super flavourful sauce and lots of coriander. There wasn’t alot of prawns, maybe 3 on each bread, but a decent starter with excellent flavours.
There is always going to a Naan (or is it nan?!) bread at the table. Peshawari Nan (£3.25) is our fav. This was massive with lots of the almond paste in the centre of the nan. Loved all the bubbled gnarly bits on the edges.
For rice we chose to have the Ghee Bhat (£3.25) which is buttered basmati rice with fried onions. Neither of us has had this before and it didn’t live up to our expectations however it was still tasty, light and fluffy with lots of translucent onion pieces.
For Mains we chose Lamb Passanda (£11.95) and Kashmiri Murghi (£11.95).
We didn’t think this one through and ordered very similar looking dishes. Both are mild with the lamb in a mild creamy almond sauce and the chicken in creamy sweet sauce with added tropical fruits (think there was pineapple and possibly lychee in there).
However just because they looked similar doesn’t detract from the taste. The flavours are so so good and decent sized helpings. We had to leave a few spoonfulls behind!
I’m so glad I returned to Voujon. With over 2000 eateries in Edinburgh, and new places opening, old places closing, it’s hard to keep up and so I am delighted that I have Voujon back on my Indian Dining radar. So if you want a no frills, easy going, really tasty, not too expensive Indian food, then give Voujon a go!
Things to note:
They do cater for vegetarians with whole sections of the menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes
Disabled access - street level entrance with W/C’s down a slight ramp but no stairs. Do check for wheelchair access though
They have a take-away menu
They have a lovely wine menu - I was driving so unfortunately it was no wine for us
Voujon, 107 Newington Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1QW. www.voujonedinburgh.com
My Spoon Award : Silver Spoon 8/10
I was invited by Voujon to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.