Our First Taste of Authentic Indian Food at Little Asia Bar and Restaurant in Cavite

Hi, guys! We were invited by Little Asia Bar and Restaurant on August 22, and honestly, we were really excited to try their authentic Indian food.

My family and I have always enjoyed Indian cuisine. My mom, who is a proud Kapampangan and loves cooking, spent around eight years working in Abu Dhabi as an OFW. Because of that, we were occasionally served Indian-inspired dishes at home. Of course, those dishes were usually adjusted to suit our family's taste, so experiencing food prepared by an Indian-owned restaurant was something we were genuinely looking forward to.

What makes Little Asia even more interesting is that they don't only serve Indian food. Their menu also includes a variety of Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Thai dishes.

Authentic Indian Flavors Made Friendly for Filipino Palates

One of the things I immediately noticed about the food was that the flavors were approachable, even for people who may not be used to very spicy Indian cuisine.

The dishes weren't overwhelmingly spicy, but you could still taste the herbs and spices that give Indian food its unique and flavorful character. I think this is one of the things that makes Little Asia a great option for Filipinos who want to explore authentic Indian cuisine without being intimidated by too much heat.

The Chicken Tikka, in particular, was one of the dishes that stood out. The flavor wasn't just on the outside — the seasoning really penetrated the chicken, making every bite flavorful.

Let's Talk About the Starters

Veg Pakora

The Veg Pakora was honestly surprising. If you didn't know it was made with vegetables, you probably wouldn't immediately think of it as a vegetable dish.

Vegetables can sometimes be bland, but this was completely different. From the crispy coating to the vegetables inside, everything had flavor. It was delicious on its own, but the garlic mayo dip made it even better.

Onion Rings

For me, the Onion Rings were one of the best starters.

What really made them memorable was the dip. It's honestly difficult to describe exactly what it tasted like because it was just that good. We enjoyed it so much that we even started dipping some of the other starters into it!

That's always a good sign when one sauce makes you want to try it with everything on the table.

Moving on to the Main Course

For the main course, we were able to try several dishes, including:

• Butter Chicken
• Chicken Biryani
• Tandoori Chicken
• Paneer Tikka Masala
• Dal Tadka

Honestly, everything we tried was delicious, but if you asked me which dishes I would immediately order again when I return, my top three would definitely be: Butter Chicken, Dal Tadka, and Chicken Biryani.

Dal Tadka

The Dal Tadka was one of the biggest surprises for me.

It had such a comforting and flavorful taste that I could honestly see myself eating more than I should with a plate of rice. My only wish was that I had tried it with a little more spice!

Personally, I enjoy spicy food, so I think adding chili would have made it even better for my taste. But I also understand why the restaurant keeps the spice level approachable, especially since many Filipinos may not be comfortable with extremely spicy food.

The good thing is that the dishes can be adjusted depending on your preferred spice level. My only regret is not getting some chili on the side so I could experience a spicier version of the Dal Tadka.

Butter Chicken

The Butter Chicken was another standout.

This is one of those dishes where you don't just finish the chicken — you'll probably want to finish every last bit of the sauce too.

What I liked most was that it wasn't overwhelming or nakakaumay. The balance of flavors was just right. It wasn't overly salty, and it wasn't overly sweet either. You could taste the spices and herbs, but everything worked together perfectly.

For me, that's what made it special: the seasoning was simply well-balanced.

Paneer Tikka Masala

When it comes to the Paneer Tikka Masala, I can confidently say that this was one of the best I've tried.

We've eaten at several Indian restaurants before, and personally, I would rank this as one of my top choices for Tikka Masala. It was creamy, savory, and mildly spicy, with a rich flavor that didn't overpower the dish.

If you're someone who enjoys creamy Indian curries with a little bit of heat, this is definitely something worth trying.

A Couple of Bonus Bites

Beyond the mains, we also got to sample a couple of extras that are worth mentioning if you're planning your own visit: crispy Samosa with a tangy tamarind dip, and Pani Puri served shot-glass style — crisp puris balanced on little cups of tangy, spiced water, ready to be popped in one bite.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our first visit to Little Asia Bar and Restaurant was a genuinely pleasant surprise. The food was flavorful without being intimidating, the portions were generous, and it was clear that care went into how each dish was prepared and seasoned. If we're rating the experience, this easily lands at 4.5 out of 5 for us — the only reason it's not a perfect score is purely personal preference for more spice, which the restaurant is happy to accommodate on request.

We'd recommend Little Asia to Filipino families who are curious about Indian food but hesitant about the heat, to groups of friends looking for a new spot to try in Cavite, and especially to first-time Indian food diners who want an approachable introduction to the cuisine without losing the authentic flavor. It's also a solid pick for anyone craving variety, since the menu extends into Chinese, Filipino, and Thai dishes as well.

What We Recommend

• Butter Chicken — rich, well-balanced, and worth finishing to the last drop of sauce
• Dal Tadka — comforting and flavorful; ask for chili on the side if you like it spicy
• Chicken Biryani — fragrant and generously portioned
• Chicken Tikka — a great starter if you want a taste of their tandoor
• Paneer Tikka Masala — a must for anyone who enjoys creamy curries with a bit of heat

Visit Little Asia Bar and Restaurant

If you're in General Trias, Cavite and craving authentic Indian food that doesn't compromise on flavor, Little Asia Bar and Restaurant is worth the visit — whether you're going for the Butter Chicken, the Dal Tadka, or just to explore Indian cuisine for the first time. We'll definitely be back for another round.