Masala Theory
545 Crown St
Surry Hills, Sydney
It’s tough to stand out In an area like Surry Hills which is filled with good food, but that’s exactly what Masala Theory did. If the neon bicycle hanging inside the entrance didn’t catch your eye, the incredible modern Indian menu is sure to get your attention.
The menu at Masala Theory features food from the North, South and West of India and aims to be as true to the traditional flavours as possible (just like you’d find on the streets or in someone’s kitchen) but presented in a modern way.
The décor was warm and unique with contemporary Bollywood music, stressed murals on the wall which depicted traditional Indian art in a humorous way, and was bustling with people the whole time we were there. The staff were welcoming and we grabbed a seat and looked through the menu. Masala Theory is alcohol free, but BYO if you’d like a couple of drinks.
The Viscount and Viscountess chose a laisse each, the traditional mango for the Viscountess and the more modern Bubble Gum for the Viscount. The mango laisse was fruity and creamy with a lovely hint of cardamom. The bubble gum had a delicious yoghurt flavour with a surprisingly accurate bubble gum flavour.
We began our menu with the Beetroot Poriyal which is a warm beetroot salad with lentils, mustard seeds and coconut flakes. It had a beautiful, subtle spice and lovely contrast between the soft beetroot and the texture of the lentils and mustard seeds. This was an excellent way to start our dinner.
Next up was a modern take on corn on the cob, with the Bollywood Bhutta. This was deliciously charred and the chef’s special spice with butter made this an incredible dish that you wouldn’t expect to see on an Indian restaurant’s menu. A delightful surprise.
We requested to try the Prawntini next, and we were so glad we did. This dish was delicious, spicy, crunchy and just great from start to finish. The prawns were tender and juicy, and the vermicelli and puffed rice salad was an unusual combination which somehow worked perfectly. The tomato and chutney added a spicy element to this dish, which isn’t for the faint hearted.
Next we were on to the traditional butter chicken – this is what we came here for! This was the standout dish of the evening, and we’ve tried our share of butter chicken variations. This take on a very commonplace dish was light, full of flavour and didn’t leave you with that heavy feeling in your stomach. Our waiter explained to us that Masala Theory’s butter chicken is made as closely to the way it is in India as possible, including using cashew butter to sweeten the dish. The chicken is smoked in the tandoor before being cooked in the curry, which added another depth of flavour.
The other curry we were treated to was a traditional, yellow fish curry. Again, this was made in the traditional way using cardamom, but with a modern twist using kefir lime. The fish was soft and cooked perfectly, and the crispy banana on top added a beautiful crunchy contrast. This curry was a lot more subtle, with a hint of spice. And it wouldn’t be a visit to an Indian restaurant without treating ourselves to garlic and cheese naan and fluffy jasmine rice.
We went out with a bang with two delicious desserts – chai panna cotta and the deconstructed motichoor laddoo. The panna cotta was exactly what you’d expect with a delicious creamy texture and a distinct chai flavour. Topped with a cinnamon honey shard and a nut crumble, this dish stayed true to the vision of traditional Indian with a modern twist.
The final dish of the evening was so unique and delicious that the Viscount and Viscountess would come back just for this dish. The laddoo is a traditional Indian dessert featured in every family event and every movie ever seen. The chef at Masala Theory has deconstructed this to create a dessert which combines crispy bubbles with a sweet syrup, saffron rabdi and dried fruit.
Masala Theory offer a number of banquets which are a great way to try a variety of dishes just like the Viscount and Viscountess did.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at Masala Theory for welcoming us into their restaurant. We will definitely be back and definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting great Indian in the heart of Sydney. Special thanks also to Rhys Brown of PushPlay Media & Events for arranging this visit.