GupShup

GupShup is a modern Indian restaurant in the basement of The Serangoon House, a boutique hotel on Serangoon Road in Little India. The menu is built around plates for sharing, from street-style chaat to dishes from the tandoor, plus North Indian curries and desserts.

The kitchen is led by Surjan Singh Jolly, better known as Chef Jolly. He has spent more than three decades in top kitchens and luxury hotels, and has been a judge on MasterChef India. The restaurant is part of the Garcha Group.

What to order

Start with the chaat, the crisp and tangy snacks sold on the streets of Indian cities. Pani poori are small semolina shells that you fill with spiced chickpeas, tamarind and a sharp mint water. Samosa chaat and lotus papdi chaat, made with lotus crisps and sweet potato, are other choices. A sampler lets you pick three.

From the tandoor come lamb seekh kebabs, chicken tikka and paneer tikka in a pickle marinade. Tangra chilli paneer is an Indian-Chinese dish with chilli, garlic and soy. Mangalore gobi fry is crispy cauliflower with west-coast spices.

For mains, the menu calls its Maah Di Daal a must. It is a black lentil dish stewed for 48 hours, then finished with cream and butter. Amritsari chole, stewed chickpeas with a stuffed kulcha bread, is a house signature. Chicken tikka masala and a slow-cooked lamb curry suit meat eaters.

Desserts include pistachio kulfi, a house-made Indian ice cream, warm jamun dumplings in syrup and a saffron rice pudding. Drinks run from house cocktails and mocktails to wine, beer, Indian whisky and mango lassi. The menu marks vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and nut dishes, which helps mixed groups.

Set menus

Alongside the à la carte menu, GupShup runs set menus that change through the year. The Weekday Club, served from Monday to Thursday, is a two- or three-course set with free-flow naan or rice. The Great Festive Menu runs from Friday to Sunday. It is a longer spread of appetisers, mains and sweets, served in 90-minute seatings. Earlier editions have included an unlimited chaat feast. Check the GupShup website for what is on when you plan to go.

The setting

The Serangoon House is styled as a colonial-era Indian fantasy, with bold colours and antique-style furniture. Its interiors are the work of French designer Jacques Garcia. GupShup follows the same look, with jewel-toned walls, soft banquettes and warm golden light. The wallpaper shows scenes from India's old princely states. It feels like a dressy night out, though the cooking itself leans homely.

Good to know before you go

• Booking: reserve online through the website, or by phone or WhatsApp.
• Private dining: the team offers custom menus for private events and parties.
• Allergies: tell your server about any allergies. The kitchen takes care but cannot rule out cross-contamination.

Nearby

GupShup is on Serangoon Road, the main street of Little India. Before dinner, you could visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple or the Indian Heritage Centre. For another take on Indian food in the area, try Lagnaa Barefoot Dining. You can also browse more Indian restaurants in Singapore, or read our list of dishes to try in Little India.