Rosang, Green Park Extn, Delhi: God’s gift now in a new location

Rosang means God’s Gift in Mizo language. I had visited Rosang , the restaurant serving traditional North-East food a few months ago when it had opened at Hauz Khas village (read Romancing the Seven Sisters). Recently, one fine morning I get a call from one of my favourite restauranteurs, Mary Lalboi, the lady behind Rosang , to invite me to try out their expanded menu at their new location near Uphaar cinema at Green Park Extension. I am excited, because here is another chance of going through some distinct and unique tastes of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura all on the same plate.

I arrive at Rosang at the appointed hour. Thankfully now Rosang is on the ground floor itself, and not on third floor as it used to be in its days at Hauz Khas Village. The décor, as before is minimalistic yet distinctly North Eastern with a mannequin of a lady dressed in the regional attire welcoming you at the door. Mary, energetic as ever, welcomes me at the door along with her understated genius chef husband Muon Tonsing. Having tasted Muon’s food earlier I am sure I am in for another treat.

And a wonderful treat it is. We start the tasting with the appetizers. Maroi Bora (Rs 150) Manipuri style herb fritters made from masoor dal batter and chives are very much like our dal vada, only with amazingly different flavours and uber hot Raja mircha chutney. Spicy pork fry (Rs 299) obviously comes from happy and contended pigs. I love the shining cubes of fried pork meat and fat tossed with north eastern spices. Pork Spare Ribs (Rs 299) marinated in herbs and spices and accompanied by raja marcha chutney are as good as ever. What really gladdens my heart is the love and respect with which the pork has been cooked. The end result is among the tastiest pork dishes you can get in Delhi NCR.

I start the main course with Masor Logot Khorisa (Rs 280) an Assamese fish curry with fermented bamboo shoot. I adore fermented bamboo shoot and enjoy the curry thoroughly, though I must say, the strong taste

of fermented bamboo shoot is not really for everyone. The next dish, Voksa Meh (Rs 280), a pork preparation with seasonal herbs and passion fruit leaves from Manipur, enchants with its flavours. The fresh fragrance of the passion fruit leaves combines beautifully with the fatty texture of the pork. I am in pork heaven. Jadoh (Rs 320), the famous combination of red rice with pork from Meghalaya is wholesome.

The side dishes are equally fascinating. Kappa (Rs 200) is a dish from Meghalaya having stir-fried chicken entrails with lots of fresh green chilly and other herbs. This is one chicken dish I love. Dohkhlieh (Rs 200) is a light, flavourful pork salad from Meghalaya. The dried river fish chutney (Rs 95) tastes exotic and super-hot.

To end the meal I am served sesame flat cake (Rs 100) which resembles sesame chikki (or gazak) in taste and texture, except that this has black sesame. The wild red rice beverage (Rs 75) has an interesting mild taste. I am quite enamoured by the

accompanying Mizo jiggery, which is less sweet, but has a rich smoky flavor to it.

Northeastern Indian cuisine never ceases to surprise and wow me with its fresh flavours and zingy tastes. Dear Reader, if you have not already, find a restaurant close by serving food from these states, and experience the wonderful cuisine. It will elevate your taste buds.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 4.0 | Ambience: 3.5 | Service: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0

Meal for two: Rs. 1100| Alcohol: No | Credit Card: Yes | Timings: 12 noon to 10 PM

Address: S20, Near Uphaar Cinema, Green Park Extension, New Delhi110016| Telephone: 8447963810; 011-65544411