When you first hear the name Gin Rik Sha, you will be hard put to guess what this place is all about.
Well, the name Gin Rik Sha is actually derived from “rickshaw puller” in Japanese, which does not really explain what they serve here and how it is all related, but it is definitely a fun quirky name that you will remember.
You will find that this restaurant in Plaza Damansara specialises in offerings that aren’t very common in the Klang Valley – modern Indian cuisine with a touch of fusion, as well as a fully equipped bar serving wine, whisky, spirits, and cocktails.
Do start your evening with a cocktail, and if you fancy something that is not overly sweet the house recommendation is to order “Amma’s Potion”, made with gin, coriander leaf, lime juice, and cucumber syrup. It makes for a good refreshing start to your evening.
If white spirits are not your thing then opt for the Whisky Cha, which as its name implies is a play of Maker’s Mark bourbon, tea (chai) syrup, lemon juice, egg white and star anise. It is a tad more sophisticated compared to the refreshing Amma’s Potion.
If you’re not a cocktail person, not to worry as there are plenty of other drinks to choose from, alcoholic or otherwise.
Foodwise, If you like something with a bit of a kick for starters, the chilli chicken certainly fits the bill. This is Gin Rik Sha’s interpretation of the classic popcorn chicken, only with the spice level notched up.
Juicy inside with a crispy skin and both spicy and aromatic, you will love this as it’s the perfect bar snack to go with your beer, wine or cocktail.
Kerala shrimp is a classic Indian dish made of spicy tamarind-flavoured shrimp with roasted coconut, and in this case served with a piping hot chapatti instead of rice.
You won’t go wrong ordering this as it is quite a good combination. The sauce hides a hot kick and complements the seafood well without being overpowering.
If you like fish, do check out the banana leaf-baked Sea Bass – fresh aromatic marinated Sea Bass and Basmathi rice topped with a brinjal sambal and wrapped in a banana leaf.
This dish is certainly a full meal, especially if you love long grain rice. The fish is prepared expertly and not overcooked, as is normally the case in local restaurants.
Other interesting dishes on the menu for you to explore include spiced cauliflower rice, vegetable lasagna, chicken briyani and rack of lamb. There’s a good mix of modern and traditional classic food to choose from.
For dessert try the kulfi with caramelised bananas and the carrot halwa filo pastry samosa with black pepper ice cream as your sweet ending to the night. These certainly won’t disappoint.
You will find Gin Rik Sha an interesting visit, a place fit for both after-work winding down or for a proper meal with friends. The menu is bolder than most, a welcome innovation to the culinary offerings of the city.
Gin Rik Sha
37, Ground Floor, Plaza Damansara
Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara
50490 Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.150079, 101.652613
Tel: 010-243 8266
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Trying to influence your cravings since 2005, Kar Yeong was Guest Judge on Versus 1001 Rasa Baba’s 2018, R.AGE Food Fight Judge 2015 and NTV7 Foodie Blogger 2014. To read more about Kar Yeong’s food journeys, visit his blog at www.KYSpeaks.com