Image: Aaron Sousa/Huddle Today
There was an hour-long wait to get into a new Indian restaurant run by a chef well known in Moncton, and soon to be popular in Saint John too.
India King on Union Street is Chef Sandeep Saini’s first entry into the Saint John food scene. Also known as Chef Sandy, he also owns Kings Club, a bar in Moncton, and Grand King, a grocery store also in Moncton. Wife and co-owner Dr. Rupali Saini said his popularity comes from experience and passion for what he is cooking.
“He knows what he is serving, so he uses all the basic scratch ingredients [when preparing the food], there are no substitutes,” said Saina. “If he doesn’t have the scratch ingredient, he will definitely say that he isn’t going to [serve that dish] today.”
India King has a large menu offering favourites like Butter Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo and Malai Kofka. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are integrated throughout the menu.
“There are so many options [for everyone],” said Saini.
India King prides itself on keeping a clean venue up to date with all Covid regulations.
“That is how we take care,” said Saini. “Because when you’re eating, it should be like you are feeding your family because there are so many young children and elders.”
In the two weeks that they have been open, customers have travelled from Fredericton, Quispamsis and Moncton to try India King’s food. Chef Sandeep first launched India King in Moncton last year, but no longer owns the location. Because of Chef Sandy’s previous work in Moncton, old customers are excited to check out his new location.
“Saint John did not have this kind of authentic [Indian] restaurant,” said Saini. “[It] definitely had a few options, but they were more combinations, some Asian, some Canadian, some Egyptian. But what we have is authentic Indian food.”
Rachel Smith is a summer intern for Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
