A taste of India in Shenzhen

Zhang Xiaoyi

Gurtej Singh, an Indian in Shenzhen, is dedicated to providing Indian cuisine in the city. Singh is the owner of Eden’s Indian Cuisine in the Xiangmuhu neighborhood.

Born in India, Singh moved to Hong Kong at 16 and then moved to Shenzhen in 2007. In August, he opened Eden’s. He hopes the restaurant will become an Indian food chain.

“We adjust to the tastes of Chinese,” said Singh. “And we provide lots of dishes beside curry.” Singh said they provide dishes with a lighter taste, instead of a “restaurant taste,” which he considers “heavy and artificial.”

“I hope Chinese eat my food on one evening, and come again the next day,” said Singh. Chinese are Singh’s target customers. He said Chinese customers love seafood curry, salads and samosas — a sort of Indian dumpling stuffed with potato, herbs and onions.

Singh said customers from Russia, Germany and the United States prefer Indian barbeque and Indians prefer vegetable curry.

Eden’s held a dinner and dance party Nov. 14 to celebrate the Diwali Festival, a traditional Hindu festival. More than 100 people attended the event. Singh said there is a huge Indian community in Shenzhen. “I plan to throw this kind of party every two or three weeks,” said Singh. Partygoers got a traditional red mark on their foreheads. They also used henna to decorate their hands and feet with the temporary black ink.

“I hope Eden’s is a restaurant with a classy style. People can read books and drink coffee here.”