Drop By Ricksha's New Greenhills Spot for Indian Fare Like What You'd Find at a Local's Home

Ricksha
6 Missouri Street, Greenhills, San Juan
Contact: 0917-637-2113
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rickshastreetside  
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday

(SPOT.ph) Indian cuisine has long been some of the most mesmerizing around, with the multitude of cultures influencing their cooking, and the country being home to a treasure trove of produce, meats, and of course, spices. For restaurateur Cyril Addison, these tantalizing flavors also serve as a taste of home, having grown up in Bangalore, India himself, and having had the privilege of growing up with his mom’s fantastic cooking.

Addison paid ode to his lineage (and his mom’s kitchen skills!) as he and partner Pierre opened Ricksha Streetside Tandoor in Kapitolyo in 2019, serving South Indian eats that won the hearts of the local crowd. Never mind that they were in a semi-hidden, relatively small (roughly-20 seater) space; the big, bold flavors of their food spoke for itself. And this time, they’re taking the ricksha (the term takes after the Indian two-wheeled vehicle known as a rickshaw) down a novel path, with the relocation of the restaurant, now just called Ricksha, to a bigger space in Greenhills, with new must-tries (and must-sips) to boot!

Also read: This Restaurant in Kapitolyo Feels Like a Hole-in-the-Wall in India

Indian restaurant Ricksha is now in Greenhills and here’s what to try:

Now stationed on Missouri Street near Greenhills Shopping Center, the new Ricksha is in an easier-to-find, more accessible area compared to the original—though it’s still in a quiet spot that won’t overwhelm the more reserved among diners. You won’t miss it as it’s got its moniker displayed in bright, colorful lights that shine bright against the night sky. There’s more room to move around, and the interiors get pops of vibrancy from the colorful seats and paintings on the walls. Fret not, OG fans; it maintains the cozy, no-frills character the eatery’s long been known for.

The Greenhills outpost invites you to let loose with their selection of boozy sips—of which are cocktails based on classic tipples, lent character by Indian ingredients and flavors. The Roses and Thorns (P290) takes you on a vivid, fruity-floral ride with rose petal-infused vodka and jackfruit shrub; on the spiced end is the Chai Tea Negroni (P290), where a chai-infused gin lends warmth to the subtle bitterness of campari and vermouth.

For the mischievous set, go for the Peas, Not War (P290)—a gin-based, cheekily named concoction where a sweet pea puree, lemon, absinthe, and bignay powder join forces for an earthy, tangy, zany (yet delightful) drink. The new location also highlights the Love, Pierre wine program headed by Pierre, carrying bottles that are perfect sipped in tandem with their food. Their extensive selection covers great value-for-money bottles (e.g. the Camille de Labrie Bordeaux Rosé, P1,500), out-of-the-box must-tries (e.g. Silver Heights Pinot Noir from Ningxia, China, P3,200), and more premium options (e.g. Sequoia Grove Chardonnay from Napa Valley, P4,200).

Of course, Ricksha’s bestsellers from Kapitolyo—Indian classics using recipes by Cyril’s mom —remain on the menu, all potent in flavor impact as ever. Cyril is mindful about not necessarily calling it by the rather vague “authentic”; rather, it’s true to the flavors he grew up with at home, and oh, what hearty and soulful flavors those are.

Street snacks, of course, make for excellent conversation fodder—slash nibbles to have along with their drinks. There’s the texture-and-flavor party that is the Pani Puri (P150), or hollow shells deep-fried to a crisp, to be stuffed with a spiced potato mixture and popped in the mouth for a crisp, juicy, piquant sensation. The Bhel Puri (P190), a popular snack from Mumbai, can be loosely likened to a savory cereal salad of sorts as it joins together crisp, airy puffed rice; a tangy tamarind chutney; and chopped tomatoes and cilantro for freshness.

It’s well worth noting that, Ricksha takes the time to make almost everything from scratch (as opposed to other Indian spots that go the frozen prepackaged route)—including their “Veg” Samosa (P150). Break into its golden-brown shell and you’re met with a spiced potato mixture that satisfies on all fronts—and that can be lent further zing by dabbing on the tamarind and herb chutney served alongside. A number of dishes go more modern in presentation—like the Paneer Hara Tikka (P390) that highlights their homemade paneer. Blocks of the cheese are rubbed with a coriander-mint sauce, seared just a touch, and adorned with pickled onions for brightness.

For mains, their excellent takes on Palak Paneer (P420) and Rogan Gosht (P590) shouldn’t be missed. The former boasts an earthy sauce of spinach tinged with cumin, embracing cubes of paneer; the latter’s got goat leg meat slow-cooked in a chili-tinged, spiced gravy until so dang tender it can be pulled apart with ease. Be sure to get an order—hell, make it three—of any of their Naan for sopping up the sauce. Cooked in a tandoor as is proper, these bear plenty of smoky soul, whether you go for the Butter (P120), Garlic (P150), and/or Chili Cheese (P220).

On that note, pretty much anything they cook in their tandoor is an excellent choice, TBH; one not to miss is the Dum Biryani. Here, the Indian rice dish with your protein of choice—Chicken (P450), Paneer (P490), Goat (P590), or Tiger Shrimp (P650)—is cooked in clay pots covered in naan, which puffs up into a dome of sorts as the dish cooks in the tandoor. The flatbread, too, serves to balance the richness of the rice. (We’re all about that carb-on-carb action.)

End the ride with desserts like the Gulab Jamun (P190), their version of which is more on the soft and pudding-y side than others thanks to their way of frying the milk balls on low, slow heat. And for a soothing treat, the Royal Saffron Kheer (P190) scented with cardamom and topped with almonds is just the thing.

Updated as the Ricksha of today may, in many ways, be, they’re not letting go of what ultimately made them so well-loved: serving humble, hearty Indian fare that tastes just like home.

Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.