Little Asia in Cavite: An Authentic Indian Food Experience That Brought Back Our Abu Dhabi Memories

A Taste of India, Carefully Made for Filipino Palates

One of the things that immediately stood out about Little Asia is its approach to Indian cuisine. The chefs were trained and taught by the Indian owner of Little Asia, learning the techniques, flavors, and recipes that give Indian food its distinctive character.

But there is an interesting balance in the way the restaurant approaches its menu. The recipes have been studied and carefully matched to the tastes of Filipino diners, making Indian cuisine more approachable without stripping away what makes each dish authentically Indian.

That balance is not always easy to achieve. Indian food can be rich, aromatic, spicy, creamy, earthy, and intensely flavorful. For someone trying Indian cuisine for the first time, those flavors can sometimes feel unfamiliar — but Little Asia seems to understand that. The dishes retain the character of Indian cooking while offering flavors that Filipino diners can easily appreciate.

Chicken Biryani: Fragrant, Flavorful and Comforting

The moment the Chicken Biryani arrived, the aroma alone was enough to make everyone at the table hungry. Biryani is one of those dishes where you don't need to take the first bite to know something special is happening — the fragrance of the rice, spices, and chicken fills the table immediately.

Each spoonful brings together fluffy, aromatic rice with tender chicken and layers of spices that gradually reveal themselves as you eat. It's flavorful without simply being "spicy" — and that's an important distinction. The beauty of a good biryani isn't about overwhelming your tongue with heat. It's about building flavor: the fragrance of the rice, the warmth of the spices, the savory chicken, and that unmistakable Indian character that makes biryani so addictive.

You take one spoonful. Then another. And suddenly you're wondering how much rice is left.

Dal Tadka: My Personal Favorite

If you asked me which dish stole the show for me personally, my answer would be immediate: Dal Tadka. This was easily one of my favorite dishes from our meal.

At first glance, dal might appear simple. But that's exactly where its magic lies. The lentils are cooked until soft and comforting, creating a warm, creamy base that carries the flavor of the spices beautifully. Then comes the tadka — the aromatic tempering that gives the dish its personality.

The result is something wonderfully comforting. It's hearty without being heavy, flavorful without being overwhelming, and incredibly satisfying eaten with rice or alongside the other dishes. For me, it was the kind of dish that didn't just taste good — it tasted familiar.

Tandoori Chicken: Smoky, Juicy and Full of Character

Then came the Tandoori Chicken — one of those Indian dishes that immediately demands attention. It arrives with the distinctive reddish-orange color associated with tandoori cooking, but the real experience begins when you take a bite.

There is a beautiful combination of smoky, savory, and spiced flavors. The outside carries that slightly charred character you expect from tandoori cooking, while the chicken underneath stays tender and flavorful. You get the smokiness first, then the spices, then the juicy chicken — and just when you think you've figured out the flavor, another layer appears.

It's the kind of dish that makes you understand why tandoori cooking has become one of the most recognizable styles of Indian cuisine around the world.

Chicken Masala: Rich, Savory and Made for Rice

If you're someone who loves saucy dishes, the Chicken Masala deserves your attention. The sauce is rich and packed with flavor, coating the chicken beautifully — savory, aromatic, and wonderfully comforting, the kind of curry-style dish that practically begs for a generous serving of rice.

This is where Filipino and Indian food cultures seem to meet naturally. We Filipinos love our rice, and Indian cuisine has incredible dishes made to be enjoyed with it. A spoonful of Chicken Masala over rice, followed by a bite of tender chicken, is the kind of combination that makes you pause for a second and simply enjoy the food.

The Big Samosa That Deserves Its Own Introduction

Now, let's talk about the Samosa. And when I say big, I mean it. The samosa from Little Asia isn't the tiny, bite-sized appetizer you might be expecting — this is a proper, generously sized samosa.

Its crispy exterior gives way to a flavorful filling inside, creating that satisfying contrast between crunch and softness. Honestly, it's the kind of starter that could easily become a meal by itself. One bite gives you that unmistakable samosa experience: crispy pastry, savory filling, and aromatic Indian spices.

It's the perfect way to start the meal while you wait for the main courses to arrive — although, considering how big it is, you might want to share it. Or don't. I'm not judging.

Little Asia's Onion Rings: Do We Really Need to Go to Manila?

And then came the unexpected star of the starters: the Onion Rings. I honestly wasn't expecting them to leave such an impression, but they did. The exterior was beautifully crispy, while the onion inside remained tender and sweet — exactly the contrast that makes a great onion ring.

I'm going to say something that might be controversial: I almost compared these to the onion rings from 8Cuts. Yes, those onion rings. The difference is that we're talking about Little Asia in General Trias, Cavite — so why drive all the way to Manila when you can have incredibly satisfying onion rings right here?

For me, Little Asia's onion rings are easily among the best I've had in the area. In fact, I'm willing to go even further: you don't need to go to Manila for great onion rings. Little Asia has them.

“Bring Me Back to Our Abu Dhabi Days”

Perhaps the most memorable part of our visit wasn't actually my reaction — it was my mom's. After tasting the food, she said: "Bring me back to our Abu Dhabi days."

That sentence suddenly changed the entire experience. Our family lived in Abu Dhabi back in the 1990s, and I was born and grew up there, so Indian cuisine isn't completely unfamiliar to us. Living in Abu Dhabi meant growing up around different cultures, different cuisines, and different flavors — Indian food was part of that environment, something that could easily become part of everyday life.

Sitting at Little Asia years later, eating Indian food again, unexpectedly brought those memories back. That is something food can do better than almost anything else: it can transport you. A smell can bring back a place. A particular spice can remind you of a childhood memory. And one familiar dish can suddenly make you feel like you're sitting somewhere thousands of kilometers away.

For my mom, Little Asia did exactly that. For me, it was a reminder that food isn't always just about taste. Sometimes, food is memory served on a plate.

Authentic Indian Cuisine Without Losing the Filipino Connection

What I appreciate about Little Asia is that its menu doesn't appear to be trying to make Indian food something that it isn't. The foundation remains Indian — the cooking techniques, spices, recipes, and flavors are rooted in Indian cuisine, with the chefs learning directly from the Indian owner.

At the same time, the dishes have been thoughtfully developed to be appreciated by Filipino diners. That makes Little Asia an interesting option for both people who already love Indian cuisine and those who are just beginning to explore it. If you've never tried Indian food before, this can be a welcoming introduction — and if you already love it, there's enough authenticity and character in the food to make the visit worthwhile.

Looking for Indian Food in Cavite? Put Little Asia on Your List

Cavite has grown tremendously over the years, and with that growth comes a growing appetite for different dining experiences. You no longer have to travel to Metro Manila every time you want to explore international cuisine — and Little Asia in Cavite is a great example of that.

Located along Antero Soriano Highway in General Trias, Cavite, Little Asia gives locals the opportunity to experience Indian cuisine without having to make the trip into Manila. Whether you're craving Chicken Biryani, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Masala, Dal Tadka, a huge Samosa, or those surprisingly addictive Onion Rings, there is something here worth trying.

For us, it wasn't just dinner. It was a combination of good food, family, memories, and a little unexpected trip down memory lane.

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