Indian Speakeasy

The Chinese characters, 靓女 liangnu, mean "pretty girl." (Photo by kou)

I was in the wet market on 龙口东路 (Longkoudong Road) and just about to pay when the veggie vendor's mobile rang. "1.5 kilos of green onions... 10 kilos of potatoes... 8.5 kilos of tomatoes..." I tapped my foot.

"You'll deliver all that?" I asked.
"Yes," she said. "It's for the Indian restaurant in Regal Court."
"There's a restaurant in Regal Court?"
"Yeah. It's been there a long time," she said.
"I don't think there's an Indian restaurant in Regal Court."
"It's not a restaurant. Well, it is. It's an apartment. They deliver."
"Can I have the number?"
"Uh, yeah. I'll write it down for you," she said, head down, nervously eyeing passersby.

That's how I discovered the Sunlight Coffee Shop, an Indian speakeasy in Regal Court. Not only does the restaurant exist, but it's been open for over eight years. The woman who answered the phone spoke Mandarin and English. She said the limited seating in the restaurant is usually occupied by 顾客guke (regulars). Most orders are take out and they deliver "anywhere," even as far 江门Jiangmen. (If you're outside of Guangzhou proper then you pay taxi fee--ask for a 发票fapiao [receipt].) I asked her if I could have a menu with my order. She conceded, but gave me the one they use for the Canton Fair, with inflated prices. Most of the year, prices range from 30 to 50 RMB for main courses , 12 to 20 RMB for side dishes, and lassis are around 25 RMB. The menu's extensive, as though it could've been on the menu of any Indian restaurant in Guangzhou. In fact, it very well might be. The food came with a receipt from Jewel of India.

Numbers on the back of the Jewel of India receipt:
Guangzhou 38465779
Dongguan: 0769-22484240
Zhuhai: 0756-3321770
Foshan: 0757-85318888 Ext. 8130