NEW DELHI: In a city where Chinese cuisine ranges from roadside stalls to five-star fine dining, Chowman has mastered the neighborhood favorite niche. It is consistent, nostalgic, and unapologetically flavorful. Last weekend, we decided to turn our dining table into a suburban Chinatown, and the spread did not disappoint.
We kicked things off with the Golden Fried Prawns. Transporting them as a delivery item is always a gamble, but these arrived remarkably crisp. Each prawn was light, airy upon the first bite, with the flavored succulent meat within. Alongside, we tried the Paneer Pepper Salt. The paneer cubes were velvety soft, tossed with a generous amount of garlic and cracked black pepper that provided a lovely, lingering heat.
For the main course, we tried the Chilli Chicken—a perfect balance of the soy-glaze and the crunch of fresh capsicum that made it soulful. For the vegetarians, the Veg Manchurian offered a deep, umami-rich gravy that was perfect for soaking. The vegetable balls were firm yet moist, avoiding the doughy texture that often plagues lesser establishments. To pair with the gravies, we opted for the Veg Hakka Noodles—thin, non-greasy strands tossed with julienned vegetables that retained their crunch.
The showstopper of our meal was the American Chopsuey. There is something inherently joyful about cracking that nest of crispy noodles into a pool of sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce. It was a messy, delightful trip down memory lane, something my family absolutely loved!
What makes Chowman stand out in the crowded food-tech space isn’t just the food, but the reliability. The portions were generous, the packaging was spill-proof, and the flavors felt like a warm hug. It wasn’t just a meal; it was an “at-home” experience that captured the essence of Kolkata-style Indo-Chinese dining. If you’re looking for a sign to skip the cooking and dive into some comfort food, this is it.
