Essence of India Menu - Authentic Indian Cuisine in Chicago

Dessert Essence

Gulab Jamun

Golden fried dumpling of milk pastry soaked in a sweet syrup

Kheer

Indian version of rice pudding made with basmati rice, sugar and nuts

Rasmalai

Flat cottage cheese dumpling in milk and garnished with pistachios

Kulfi

Naan

Leavened bread made in the tandoor

Garlic Naan

Naan topped with garlic

Peshwari Naan

Naan topped with cherries, pistachios and coconut

Paneer Kulcha

Flour bread stuffed with homemade cottage cheese

Paratha Tandoori

Whole-wheat dough twisted and lightly brushed with butter and cooked in the tandoor

Aloo Paratha

Paratha stuffed with potatoes and buttered

Poori

Two puffy deep fried breads

Butter Naan

Keema Naan

Naan stuffed with ground lamb

Onion Kulcha

Flour bread stuffed with onions

Pudina Paratha

Paratha layered with fresh mint

Bread Essence

Fish and Seafood Essence

Goan Fish Curry

Catfish cooked in a spicy coconut curry sauce. Rice is not included

Yogurt Fish

Catfish cooked in olive oil spiced with cumin, onion, tomato, yogurt and green cardamom. Rice is not included

Jhinga Masala

Shrimp cooked with onions, ginger and Indian spices. Rice is not included

Shrimp In Coconut Masala

North Indian Fish Curry

Boneless catfish, cumin and other Indian spices in a curry sauce. Rice is not included

Shrimp Vindaloo

Gosht Korma

Cubes of lamb cooked in a sweet saffron sauce combined with finely ground raisins and almonds. Rice is not included

Lamb Pasanda

Lamb curry cooked with almonds, cashews and Indian spices in a curry sauce. Rice is not included

Achari Gosht

Tender pieces of lamb cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek. Rice is not included

Goan Lamb

Lamb curry cooked in a coconut sauce. Rice is not included

Lamb Palak

Lamb and fresh spinach leaves cooked in a combination of ginger, coriander, garlic and garam masala. Rice is not included

Rogan Josh

Lamb curry with an onion and tomato gravy. Rice is not included

Lamb Vindaloo

Marinated lamb and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices

Lamb Essence

Beverages

Milk

Lemonade

Iced-Tea

Lassi

Homemade yogurt shake - choice of sweet or salted

Masala Tea (Chai)

Coffee

Mango Lassi

Homemade mango yogurt shake

Coke

Diet Coke

Sprite

Tea

Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)

Special. Tandoori chicken simmered in tomato sauce, butter and spices. Rice is not included

Chicken Shahi Korma

Chicken, nuts and spices prepared in a mild creamy curry. Rice is not included

Murg Tikka Masala

Skewered boneless marinated chicken cooked with Indian spices and herbs in a cream sauce. Rice is not included

Chicken Vindaloo

Marinated chicken and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices. Rice is not included

Chicken Saag

Boneless chicken and spinach cooked in a gravy sauce. Rice is not included

Murg Lajwab

Boneless chicken marinated with herbs and spices in a curry sauce. Rice is not included

Chicken Karahi

Masala chicken tossed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and fresh garlic. Rice is not included

Achari Murgh

Tender pieces of chicken cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek. Rice is not included

Madras Curry Chicken

Chicken curry south Indian style - marinated chicken in tomato, garlic, coriander, cumin and curry leaves. Rice is not included

Chicken Essence

Biryani and Rice Essence

Non-Vegetarian Biryani

Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables, herbs and your choice of meat

Peas Pulao

Fried rice cooked with peas

Saffron Rice

Basmati rice cooked with saffron threads, cardamom and cloves

Vegetable Biryani

Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables and herbs

Kashmiri Pulao

Saffron flavored basmati rice with dried fruits and nuts

Vegetable Samosas

Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas

Non-Vegetarian Sampler From The Tandoor Oven

Platter includes chicken malai kabob, murg tikka, shrimp and seekh kabab

Papadum

Crispy, delicate thin wafers pieces of seasoned lentil flour

Vegetable Sampler

Platter includes a vegetable samosa, a vegetable cutlet and vegetable pakoras

Vegetable Cutlets

Two deep fried patties made with seasoned vegetables

Coconut Fried Shrimp

Special. Fried shrimp served with a one of a kind mango mint chutney

Vegetable Pakoras

Vegetables of the day dipped in a lentil batter and deep fried until crisp and golden

Paneer Pakoras

Homemade batter fried cottage cheese fritters

Keema Samosas

Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with fresh minced lamb

Jhinga Karahi

Deep fried shrimp marinated in vinegar and lemon juice along with garlic, ginger, sesame seed, black pepper and corn flour

Masala Papadum

Papadum topped with onion, cilantro, tomato, spices and masala

Appetizers

Sides

Tamarind Chutney

Raita

Plain yogurt mixed with cucumber, herbs and spices

Mixed Salad

Individual lettuce salad with tomato, onion, carrot, and cucumber, garnished with lemon wedges, green chili and cilantro

Mango Chutney

Sweet pickles made from mangoes

Butter Chicken Sauce

Green Chutney

Murg Tikka Masala Sauce

Indian Pickel

Tandoori Shrimp

Jumbo shrimp marinated in caraway seeds and a flavored yogurt blended with Indian spices. Rice is not included

Indian Chicken Tandoori

Skinless chicken marinated in spices and yogurt then barbecued in the clay oven. Rice is not included

Chicken Malai Kabob

Seekh Kabob

Tender rolls of minced lamb mixed with herbs and spices cooked in the tandoor oven

Tandoori Chicken Salad

Tandoor Essence (Clay and Charcoal Oven)

Vegetable Essence

Spinach With Chickpeas

Homemade spinach simmered in Indian spices, tomatoes and chickpeas. Rice is not included

Malai Ka Kofta

Fresh cottage cheese and potato, dried fruit, and Indian spices in a tomato and cream sauce. Rice is not included

Saag Chaman

Spinach and homemade cottage cheese simmered in spices. Rice is not included

Mutter Paneer

Combination of peas and cheese cooked in a rich creamy sauce. Rice is not included

Paneer Khurchan

Special. An essence exclusive dish. Homemade cottage cheese with yellow, red and green bell peppers, onions, tomato and Indian spices. Rice is not included

Bhindi Ka Masala

Mild curry sauce cooked with fresh okra, tomatoes and onions. Rice is not included

Vegetable Korma

Corn, potatoes, carrots, green peas, green beans and cottage cheese in a curry sauce. Rice is not included

Chana Masala

Chickpeas cooked in a curry sauce with onions, tomatoes and Indian spices. Rice is not included

Mushroom Mutter

Sliced mushrooms and peas sauteed in a creamy curry sauce. Rice is not included

Green Beans And Potatoes

Mild curry with curry leaf, coconut, mustard seeds, onions and tomatoes. Rice is not included

Shahi Paneer

Cubes of fresh cottage cheese in a rich cashew, tomato and cream gravy. Rice is not included

Saag Aloo

Spinach and potatoes simmered in spices. Rice is not included

Aloo Do Pyaza

Potatoes, onion and tomato mixed with Indian spices. Rice is not included

Baigan Bharta

Smoked, pureed eggplant cooked with tomatoes and onions. Rice is not included

Gobhi Gulastan

Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with herbs and ginger. Rice is not included

Aloo Mutter

Combination of peas and potatoes cooked with tomatoes, onion, cumin and a touch of ginger. Rice is not included

Dal Turka

Yellow lentils sauteed with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, Indian spices and whole red chilies. Rice is not included

Dal Makhani

Black lentils cooked in a creamy curry sauce. Rice is not included

Essence of India Menu (Update 2025)