The best hole-in-the-wall Asian restaurants in Delhi

What is it? A forward-thinking ramen shop with distinctly untraditional flavours, developed with an authentically Japanese perfectionist mindset

Why we love it: Meticulous and precise permutations of painstakingly-prepped flavoured oils, sauces, ferments, and toppings are behind ZZ’s vibrant seasonal menu. While classic bowls like tonkotsu are always a reliable choice, Founder-Chefs Navika and Hitein do not shy away from dreaming up potentially polarising cult-favourite flavours like the coconut lychee cold ramen on the summer menu. Bring a friend along, and order half-portions of a range of their bowls for a tasting flight of sorts – a clear broth chintan, cloudy paitan, and a wildcard tantanmen with toppings and proteins of your choice. And if you’d like to take ZZ’s flavours home, they even sell some of their excellent housemade condiments. 

Time Out tip: If you’ve already tried the ramen, come back between lunch and dinner service to enjoy their speciality toasts and teas in a quieter, less busy dining room environment than usual. 

Price: ₹1,000–1,500 per person

Opening hours: Daily 1am-4pm (lunch), 4pm-7pm (tea) & 7pm-10.30pm (dinner). 

Address: Shop 1, First floor, DDA Market, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi, Delhi 110049

What is it: Japanese chain Sukiya’s first foray into India, serving quick but high-quality meals classically aimed at office-goers.

Why we love it: While spots like Zuru Zuru push staples like ramen to exciting new frontiers, Sukiya keeps such dishes’ humble roots in view, complicating our view of what ‘fast food’ can be, serving wholesome meals that diners can conceivably return to everyday. Try the Japanese curry rice with your preferred combination of toppings and side dishes, or tuck into a bowl of the supremely balanced Tokyo ramen, with an extra ajitama egg for good measure. 

Time Out tip: Rush hours (lunch/dinner) may have you pulling your hair out so aim for a quieter time. 

Price: ₹300-600 per person

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9.30pm, Sun closed.

Address: GF-10, Ground Floor, Satyam Cineplex (Inox Mall), Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019

What is it: Korean university canteen-style café housed at the government-run Korean Cultural Centre India

Why we love it: Dalgrak serves a variety of Korean food and drink, from mainstays with mass appeal, to more homely choices catering to the needs of Korean staff and families who run the Centre’s many cultural programmes. The dining area is spacious, but alcoves at the end of the room and smaller tables facing the windows make for comfortable third spaces where you can read, study, work, or just immerse in the ‘dalgrak’ – the gentle ambient sound of pots and pans being used, cutlery clinking, and people enjoying their meals. 

Try their kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake) which has the perfect thickness, a crisp sear without being oily, and is served with a lovely sesame oil-and-soy dipping sauce – which you should request some more of, for the sundubu jjigae, a bubbling-hot stew of silky-soft tofu and vegetables that looks spicy-red but tastes gentle and nourishing. The stew, like other main course items, comes with banchan, a variety of tiny side dishes that vary by day, and a bowl of rice (which, unfortunately, was an unremarkable long-grain variety). 

Time Out tip: Dalgrak also stocks a rotating selection of bakery items and desserts – but we recommend going the traditional Korean route of skipping dessert, and trying a digestif like the intensely cinnamony, cold-yet-spicy sujeonggwa instead. 

Price: ₹650-1,000 per person

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun closed.

Address: 25 A, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi 110024 

What is it: A playful yet elegant, chef-led, progressive south-east Asian restaurant overlooking Humayunpur’s hubbub.

Why we love it: Authentic SEA flavours collide with east Asian and Manipuri influences at Rude Chef, yielding polished dishes that feel familiar yet novel. Seafood enthusiasts are spoiled for choice here, but small plates like their tangy, refreshing cold noodle salad and the gorgeous buff carpaccio salad either make for a light meal, or pave the way for further brilliance from Chef Lanchui and his team. Also, their rice wine is a fan-favourite, with portions so specific you’ll be able to control your drinking experience to a T.

Time Out tip: On days with nice weather, it’s a good idea to sample the Rude Chef menu in open-air, hawker-style surrounds at Hidden Fuse, their stall at The Roof Eatery. Take the stairs facing Rude Chef’s main dining room to find this space, featuring booths from six other local indie spots that let you curate your own mix-and-match feast. 

Price: ₹1,400 for two

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1pm-11pm. Closed on Tuesday.

Address: 70 E, F/F, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029

What is it: One of Delhi’s first Burmese diners, known for its unfussy, comforting fare.

Why we love it: If someone in Delhi-NCR has tried Burmese food, chances are their initiation happened here at Chef Rouhid Ali’s little corner of Humayunpur. Compact four-seater tables line the hallway leading into the heart of the restaurant, and boxes of Jenga and board games encourage visitors to stay a while longer. Pick your protein and order the mohinga dry, a chickpea-flavoured, earthy, spicy bowl of noodles served with a clear broth on the side, and their chaat-like laphet salad, with its refreshing yet kokumi mouthfeel from the fermented tea leaf-based dressing.

Time Out tip: Getting a table can prove challenging, but grab a drink at Green Neko just across the alley while you wait, or spend some time admiring the local stray cats hopping between roofs. 

Price: ₹300-600 per person

Opening hours: Daily. 11am-11pm.

Address: Near Lha kitchen, 70E, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029

What is it: A Japanese-style watering hole with a compact, bar snacks-oriented food menu.

Why we love it: With its dark, soothing, wood-heavy interiors, this beloved spot by Chef Pasang invites guests to linger and decompress, aided heavily by comfort food and soju. Flavours lean towards fusion rather than authenticity, but the net experience is that of a bona fide izakaya night out. Order the chicken karaage, which have a crisp, light coating and are served atop a smear of spiced mayo speckled with charred onion strands and togarashi, and the omurice, a fluffy omelette slathered with a lightly-smoky brown gravy accompanied by a portion of vegetable fried rice. Although their excellent coffee fizz is tragically gone, try the pomegranate cola or the yogurt spritz for a zero-proof drink that’s clearly crafted with intention.

Time Out tip: Given its position just by the entryway to Humayunpur, Lea Izakaya is the perfect place to start (or end) a jaunt in the area. Also, they've got a outlet in Green Park that rivals many of the neighbouring spots.

Price: ₹650-1,000 per person

Opening hours: Wed-Mon. 1am-11am. Tues closed.

Address: A, 112, near NCC gate, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029

What is it: A tiny dark-green-walled, board-game-filled spot with zero misses on their Tibetan and Nepali menu

Why we love it: Limbu Kitchen is fully capable of converting jhol pork momo despisers to lovers, making anyone buy their chatpate jhal muri twice, and churning out prawn fries (unapologetically unshelled) that rival even the prawn-heavy Bengali restaurants nearby in CR Park. The noodles and rice only look basic on paper, but please don’t treat them as an afterthought to the mains – the meat in them’s carefully spiced. Only here does it make sense for a drink that’s essentially Coke laced with coconut milk foam to be marked a chef’s special, because it really is that good. Try and get lucky enough to visit here on an evening just as the rain slows. Their small menu means you can try a chunk of it on any visit.

Time Out tip: It’s best to reserve if you’re a group of more than three people, they’ve got specific hours and limited seating. As in most cases, you’ve better luck on a weekday.

Price: ₹600 per person

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 12.30pm-3pm, 6.30pm-10pm.

Reservations: Exclusively through their website: https://limbukitchen.in/

Address: Shop No 34, Market no 3, Chittaranjan Park

What is it: A drawing-room-style café tucked just before Humayunpur market, with Manipuri-leaning flavours

Why we love it: The Manipuri thali. It’s a bold, spice-forward spread with choices such as duck curry, sinju salad, eromba chutney, and heimang (sumac berry) tea to finish. There are no concessions made for unfamiliar palates. On Sundays, there's a community buffet at ₹699.

Time Out tip: Don't skip the coffee. Mahelal sources his beans from Nagaland and roasts them in-house!

Price: ₹400-600 per person.

Opening hours: Wed-Mon. 5:30pm-11pm, but the kitchen closes at 9pm.

Address: Ground floor, 107/A, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029.

What it is: Don't come here expecting mood lighting or a lengthy cocktail list just because it’s in Hauz Khas; the whole operation is just a couple of tables, an open kitchen, and Chef Hana herself running the show solo.

Why we love it: She channels five-star hotel training into plates of brilliant and authentic Vietnamese food: think bánh mì, pho, and deliciously herbed summer rolls. And there's an adorable rescue dog named Munna who'll keep you company while you wait. 

Time Out tip:  Skip dessert and opt for the Vietnamese coffee instead.

Price: ₹1,000-₹1,500 for two.

Opening hours: 2-2.30 pm, 6-9.30 pm. Daily.

Address: E-16, Market Ln, Hauz Khas Market, Block D, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016