Voujon is a restaurant that I have passed by countless times. I didn't think much of it. After all, there are practically as many Indian restaurants in Edinburgh as there are stars in the sky. To catch (and keep) the attention of Edinburgh residents and visitors alike, each and every Indian restaurant in town has to find their own way of standing out from the crowd.
So how does Voujon make its mark on Edinburgh's saturated Indian food scene? Some might say its the punchy purple decor. Others might vouch for the impeccable service. But for me it all comes down to the food. Of course, great Indian food in Edinburgh isn't hard to find. But Voujon prides itself on its ability to seamlessly meld together the flavors of two cuisines which are often thought of as synonymous. Bengali food, while commonly paired with Indian food in restaurants, is often overlooked on menus. Comforting flavours such as butter chicken are likely indulged in over the more unfamiliar spices of Bengali cuisine. But at Voujon, this lesser known cuisine takes centre stage.
Greeted by crisp white linens (that would soon be dirtied by the likes of saffron and cumin) alongside sleek, modern decor, Voujon impressed from the outset. Surely their food would be as elevated as their decor.
A plate of crispy popadoms could not be resisted. The perfect way to start a meal- flavourful, guilt-free goodness. With a selection of pairings that consisted of classic mango chutney, spicy pickled lime, and pungent onion relish, Voujon's popadom offerings weren't particularly ambitious, but packed a punch with each crunchy bite.
Murgh Chatt may not be the most eye catching and exciting dish on the menu, but it's a fan favourite of Ben's. Tender pieces of chicken cooked in a rich but slightly tart tomato sauce makes for the perfect starter if you prefer something that isn't fried.
I enjoy a good mystery dish from time to time. So even if I don't know exactly what a dish entails, I might just go for it and hope for the best. Wild, I know. After all, what's a good meal without a few surprises along the way? Skipping over the usual samosas and pakora, I sprung for the Voll Puri, enticed by its promise of spicy chickpeas and a tamarind sauce. These delicate spheres of fried air-like bread were filled to the brim with chickpeas and potatoes. My only job was to pour a stream of tart tamarind sauce into each orb, and pop them in my mouth. I'm of the strong opinion that starters should always be fun- and this one certainly did the trick.
While we felt that we might have been a bit overzealous in our ordering of mains (the wish list seemed to never end!), we were surprised (if not slighty pleased) that the portions weren't as large as we had expected. Most Indian restaurants we've been to offer up massive portions, only for us to attempt to eat it all and leave defeated. But Voujon's menu is a bit more refined than the rest.
Saag aloo is a no-brainer at any Indian restaurant. Even though it's usually pegged as a side dish, I could easily eat it as an entire meal. Tender potatoes cooked in creamy spinach is as indulgent as it gets. For a bit of a change from the usual, we also ordered a side of aloo gobi. Similarly to saag aloo, aloo gobi features potatoes, but has the added bonus of cauliflower- and in a much lighter sauce. The two together? Definitely a winning pair.
Rice and naan are staples in any Indian or Bengali restaurant. Peshwari naan, being a favourite of mine because of my sweet tooth, was a must-order item. And while I've had my fair share of Peshwari naan in the past, this one definitely stood out. Impossibly fluffy, with a crisp top, Voujon's naan is one for the books. A side of saffron rice also paired well with the mains, adding a touch of flavour without being overwhelming.
The main events? Well, the blogger rule is to get two very different dishes. Keen to try out some authentic Bengali food, I took a risk and went for the Shatkora chicken. For me, this dish was a standout because of the exotic fruit that featured prominently. Almost like a combination of lime and apple, the fruity taste was unexpected, but married well with the slightly spicy sauce. Definitely not your average chicken curry.
Despite my efforts to think outside the box, Ben's main of sag gosht proved to be both of our favourites (yes, we compete to see who orders the better meal!). Juicy pieces of lamb, earthy spinach and fenugreek, and warming ginger all meld together into a dish that has you savouring each bite.
Just when I thought that I've experienced the best of Edinburgh's Indian food scene, another great spot pops up to add to my ever-growing list. With wholesome Indian cuisine as its foundation, and a passion for introducing its patrons to Bengali food at its heart, Voujon achieves the perfect balance of serving tried and true classics along with new, exotic favourites.
Thank you to Voujon and Crimson Edge PR for inviting me to the restaurant for a review. You can learn more about Voujon and view the full menu on their website here.
