Wok the talk

Musicians performing at Ragasthan, 2013

So, here is this very red and black, attractive-looking eatery that is tough to miss on the buzzing food street in Bandra's Union Park neighbourhood, off the Carter Road promenade. Wok In The Box is about new-age health food served casually and interactively. It is about combining food and health that everyone seems to be suddenly interested in. Started on January 1, this year, Wok In The Box caters to just that.

Wok in the box
Food: healthy
Service: quick
Ambiance: bright

Mixed Veggie Tofu Wok with Wok's Fiery and Tang Tang sauce

The menu is on the wall, while the wall that faces the door sports laminated frames with tongue-in-cheek lines that say many assorted things from ‘Keep calm and Wok off!' to ‘A wok a day makes you want to play. Cute.

Eating here is in three steps. Actually, make that four. A bowl is handed over to the customer. Once you've decided whether it's vegetarian or non-vegetarian fare, you go choose/heap your bowl with the veggies of your choice. You can take anything from red onions, spring onions, baby corn, American sweet corn, bell pepper, mushroom, broccoli and a lot more. You hand this to the next counter, where a wok is being heated with minimal oil -- and this is tossed and stir-fried. We liked the interactivity involved in this process.

Malaysian Flat Whole Wheat Noodles in a Chicken Wok with Teriyaki, Mushroom and Pepper Sauce

If you choose to eat vegetarian you'll be asked for your choice of protein: paneer or tofu. Non-vegetarians can choose from chicken, egg, lamb and prawn. After the protein is added, you're asked for choice of carbs: steamed rice, fried rice, flat whole-wheat noodles or rice noodles. We chose flat wholewheat noodles. Finally, there is an array of sauces to blend in. For the mild palate, there is: Lemon coriander, teriyaki, Thai green curry, mushroom pepper. For fruity or tangy taste, you can add from mango chilli or tang tang. If you prefer your food spicy, plumb for flavours like red garlic, chilli garlic, Schezwan or Wok's Fiery. At each step, you're allowed to sample what is being created for you and you can add your bits.

The portions suffice for two people with decent appetites. The chefs were forthright and friendly and suggested things to be added into your wok to heighten the taste. A vegetarian wok works out at Rs 150 while a non-vegetarian wok is priced at R180. If you like healthy, light Asian food, this gives you your money's worth.

At: Off Carter Road, beside Noodle Town, Union Park, Bandra (W).
Wok in the Box didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals