Ethnic Cuisines: Georgian, Indian, Japanese Restaurants in Moscow.

Chinese and Japanese restaurants aside, the other Asian foods are sorely under-represented in Moscow. There are a few good Indian and Thai places about but when it comes to cuisines such as Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian and Indonesian your options are very limited or even nonexistent. Nevertheless, there are some very good restaurants that do specialize in these cuisines.

Jagannath Vegeterian Restaurant.
Something like the famous "Food for Thought" in London, Jagannath is the first and the only vegetarian restaurant and cafe in Moscow. It's a clean, nice and cozy place with oriental vibes. Every evening at 19:00 there're performances and live music by DJs: ambient, reggae, drum'n'bass, ethno etc. There's also vegeterian food store and ready and cheap vegetarian take-aways. Because of its good location and low prices can be used as a fastfood. If you go to the restaurant, they serve healthy vegeterian Indian, Chinese, Japanese meals not expensive: for $15 you'll have a good dinner, for $8 eat-as-much-as-you-can salad bar.
Address: Kuznetski Most ulitsa, #11, Kuznetsky most, metro Kuznetski Most (violet).
Tel: (095) 928-3580 (reservations). Open: the restaurant: from 11 till 23, a cafe and a shop 10 till 23.

Blue Elephant.
The Moscow chapter of an international chain of Thai restaurants. You will find the best Thai Food in Moscow here, even if you have to pay through the nose for it. The restaurant features lots of plants and fake rock walls but doesnÕt seem at all tacky. If youÕre planning on a one-off visit or are new to Thai food then the Royal Thai Banquet set menu is a great option. It offers samples of a whole variety of Thai dishes and is priced at about $70 per person. That may sound a bit pricey, but unfortunately you wonÕt do much better ordering off their a la carte menu with an average bill still up around $60. Such prices may leave you pining for the $5 Thai take-away back home but if youÕre serious about your Thai food or just interested in trying it then Blue Elephant is your best option.
Address: Novinsky Bulvar, #31 (in the Novinsky Passazh shopping mall) View on Map, metro Smolenskaya. Tel: 580-7756. Open 12:00-23:30.

Gandhara.
Gandhara was a region of north-east Pakistan which was a popular trade route and consequently a melting-pot of influences from South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. These historical roots are mirrored in the menu of this unique restaurant which does not strictly serve Pakistani cuisine but, instead, meals created from a mixture of eastern and western influences. As an example, the three course business lunches with wine, beer or juice included (390 rubles - $14) might begin with a roast beef salad and end with daal fry with rice and naan bread. An average bill per person is about $30. The interior is quite lovely: Buddha statues and excellent replicas of Gandharan art adorn the restaurant. A unique restaurant in Moscow, this is definitely one to check out.
Address: Rochdelskaya Ulitsa, #15, Bldg. 7, metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda. Tel: 255-9959. Open 12:00-0:00.

Tandoor.
Without a doubt the best place to go for Indian food in Moscow. This is a restaurant that is not afraid to turn up the spice factor in their meals. Although Tandoor also has an extensive and delicious Chinese menu, it is the restaurantÕs Indian meals that give it its reputation. The chicken masala (420 rubles) is one of the highlights while business lunches are great value. There are three options priced at 200, 300 and 450 rubles ($7, $11 and $16) respectively for a succession of courses. Outside of lunch time an average bill would still be low at just under $30. Occupying a large area inside the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, the decor is tasteful and classy while not at all pretentious. Service is excellent with waiters that are ready and willing to handle any question, request or complaint. Highly recommended.
Address: Tverskaya Ulitsa, #31 (in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall) View on Map, metro Mayakovskaya. Tel: 299-8062. Open 12:00-0:00.

Tunnel.
The Tunnel is a bit of a strange entity. A large, maze-like venue it is an odd combination of bar, restaurant and club. Likewise, theyÕre not quite sure what cuisine they want to sell. The main restaurant area has an American diner feel to it. Imagine a cross between a burger joint and an Asian restaurant and thatÕs pretty much the feel of the place. YouÕre best off sticking with the Indian food, although there are also Russian and Chinese options. The Chinese is awful, but the Indian is decent for the price. But all the business lunches are good value with the most expensive only 250 rubles ($9) for three courses and a drink. At any time of day an average bill will only come to $15 or so. A great place for cheap eats but donÕt expect high quality.
Address: Lubyansky Proezd, #7 View on Map, metro Lubyanka. Tel: 796-8073. Open 24 hours.

 
Baan Thai.
Still not exactly cheap but less expensive than Blue Elephant, Baan Thai serves up some tasty treats for lovers of this cuisine. Business lunches (1pm-5pm) are only 150 rubles but are small and uninspiring. An average bill is $35 as long as you donÕt touch the more expensive seafood options. Has a straightforward but nice interior.
Address: Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya Ulitsa, #11, metro Kievskaya. Tel: 240-0597. Open 12:00-0:00.

 
HKong.
This was the first restaurant in Moscow to serve Pan-Asian cuisine. Chinese, Thai, Taiwanese and Japanese are all represented and some dishes have a European touch to them, which befits a restaurant named after the cultural melting pot of Hong Kong. The interior is elegant but not overdone, making the restaurant stylish but still fairly relaxed. On weekdays there is a 15% discount between 12pm and 4pm while on weekends between 11am and 6pm there is 20% off. Outside of discount time the total bill per person could be anywhere between $40 and $70 depending on what you order. The menu features a large range of tasty dishes to choose from.
Address: 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya Ulitsa, #7 View on Map, metro Mayakovskaya. Tel: 200-5763. Open 11:00-last guest.

 
Royal Family.
MoscowÕs most renowned Korean restaurant. Good quality food and many Korean patrons which confirms its authenticity. Not too expensive with an average bill around $30 per person.
Address: Kosygina Ulitsa, #15 (in the Hotel Orlyonok), metro Leninsky Prospekt. Tel: 939-8663. Open 11:00-23:00.

 
Shanti.
A quality Vietnamese restaurant that serves authentic food at reasonable prices. An average bill is $35, while business lunches are 370 rubles ($13) and provide a good sample of the regular menu. Shanti also functions as a popular DJ-bar (see http://waytorussia.net/Moscow/ClubsDance.html).
Address: Myasnitsky Proezd, #2/1, metro Krasniye Vorota. Tel: 783-6868. Open Sun-Thur: 12:00-0:00, Fri-Sat: 12:00-5:00.

 
Tibet Kitchen.
The best Tibetan food that youÕll find in Moscow, not that it has many competitors. Not at all expensive with an average bill as little as $20. Good value business lunches as well.
Address: Kamergersky Pereulok, #5/6 View on Map, metro Teatralnaya. Tel: 623-2422. Open 11:00-23:00.