Shillong’s Best Chinese Food Isn’t In Chinatown, It’s At This Lesser-Known Local Favourite

You know it, I know it, and everyone in India knows it – in most Chinese restaurants in the country, the food served is tailored to the Indian palate, which compromises the authenticity of the cuisine. So when I discovered Deja Vu in a sleepy corner of Shillong, while taking a stroll with a long-lost friend, he offered to get me dinner at this hidden gem. I must admit, I was initially apprehensive. 'Not again,' I thought to myself. But boy, was I wrong.

The Ambiance: Hello, Little China

As I walked past the local florist's and climbed up to the 3rd floor of Branto Complex, where Deja Vu is located, I was spellbound by what I saw—a dimly lit, classic Chinese establishment, with perpetually smiling staff eager to serve. I peek in and see a humongous painting of Buddha adorning one of the walls, while the culturally symbolic low-hanging lanterns add romance as well as character to each of the 18 tables. Since Deja Vu is (evidently) an ode to Chinese culture, the signature dragon is a dominant motif, and it is safe to say that these dragons are the DNA of Deja Vu's decor, as they are everywhere, from tea cups to curtains. This restaurant, in every sense of the term, is Shillong's best-kept culinary secret, and suffice to say, Northeast India's quaint little Chinatown that I didn't know existed. 

"We wanted to bring something unique with an added edge and flavour to share with the people of Shillong," shares Jiwat Vaswani, Managing Director of Deja Vu. "Our chef, who was recruited from Singapore, has incorporated some amazing Singaporean-Chinese flavours into our menu. We've also taken into account the northeastern palate and created a separate menu featuring daily favourites inspired by Thai cuisine and special Shillong noodles/rice, Mumbai-style noodles/rice, and more to cater to the tastes of our northeastern region," adds Vaswani. 

Amplifying the dining experience was the carefully curated roster of talented homegrown musicians who render soul-stirring live music on weekends and, on special occasions, weekdays. The artist names include Kyrshan Lyngdoh, Monalisa Rymbai, Mebalajied Kharkongor, Bahun Marwein, Stacy Passah, Marcus Passah, Yusuf Kharprim, and Weldy Dohling, all the way from Cherrapunji. Between gob-smacking food and hummable music, I had a hard time picking which was better. 

The Food Was A Sweet Surprise

After the ambiance put my mind at ease, I somehow knew I could trust Deja Vu with a sumptuous dinner. I eased my way into the three-fold meal with Mongolian Fire Pot Soup first—a chef's special that is slow-cooked on a traditional chimney pot, containing Chinese greens, such as bok choy, mushrooms, and cellophane noodles. The melt-in-your-mouth, generously served soup inspired confidence in me to experiment with more of what they had to offer, and I dug in!

My friend swears by Deja Vu's Shanghai Prawns, and I took his word for it. The massive prawns were crisp and yet not uncomfortably hard, and that initial rush of tanginess, I was told, was its USP, which, quite admirably, was in moderation. Thankfully, the dish neither played into the culinary stereotypes nor did it try too hard to satiate the Indian taste buds. Shanghai Prawns are in a league of their own, and that worked out well for me. "One of the biggest misconceptions about Chinese food is that all Chinese dishes are the same. But the reality is that Chinese cuisine is diverse and has many regional variations. We address this misconception by offering a range of dishes from different regions of China, such as Sichuan, Cantonese, and even Singaporean styles," elaborates Vaswani. The menu was a testament to Deja Vu's penchant for uniqueness. 

With that, my final order for the night was Chicken Baa-Me Noodles. This stir-fried plate of noodles stood out from its run-of-the-mill counterparts that we usually find at Chinese eateries. For one, it was laden with a plethora of spices, including the much-revered Chinese Five Spice, slices of chicken, and a whole host of garden vegetables. The serving? Again, generous.   

Overall, the menu at Deja Vu was pretty expansive. Spanning 16 pages, the restaurant menu offers over 215 dishes daily. It also has a dedicated bar menu and a hands-on mixologist to cater to the Long Island Iced Tea lovers and Sangria fans alike. I opted for the latter. 

Authenticity That Resonates For More Than One Reason

As a northeastern—with Shillong being my second home—Meghalaya's culinary diversity and overall food prowess have always fascinated me. From gorging on Jadoh (traditional Khasi dish) to emptying multiple plates of Dohkhleh (traditional Jaintia dish), the local food continues to be a source of comfort for me and many others from the region. 

For the curious touristy souls, it is visually spectacular, and for the food enthusiasts, this state has a lot to offer, flavour-wise. So, it won't be a stretch to add that Meghalaya has aced Chinese cuisine with aplomb. Ask the patrons at Deja Vu, and they will agree. 

Address: 3rd Floor, Branto Complex, Near Police Point, Red Hill Road, Laitumkhrah, Shillong-793003 

For reservations, contact:+91 76409 79999
Price for two: Rs. 1000