Essence of India
4601 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
(773) 506-0002
Customers' Favorites
Sampler from the Tandoori Oven
Chicken Shahi Korma
Vegetable Samosas
Vegetable Pakoras
Chicken Vindaloo
Vegetable Korma
Butter Chicken
Chicken Curry
Saffron Rice
Lamb Vindaloo
Most Popular
Garlic Naan
Naan topped with garlic
Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)
Special. Tandoori chicken simmered in tomato sauce, butter and spices. Rice is not included
Murg Tikka Masala
Skewered boneless marinated chicken cooked with Indian spices and herbs in a cream sauce. Rice is not included
Vegetable Samosas
Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas
Butter Naan
Naan with butter
Mango Lassi
Homemade mango yogurt shake
Naan
Leavened bread made in the tandoor
Non-vegetarian Biryani
Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables, herbs and your choice of meat
Picked for you
Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)
Special. Tandoori chicken simmered in tomato sauce, butter and spices. Rice is not included
Murg Tikka Masala
Skewered boneless marinated chicken cooked with Indian spices and herbs in a cream sauce. Rice is not included
Vegetable Samosas
Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas
Non-vegetarian Biryani
Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables, herbs and your choice of meat
Chana Masala
Chickpeas cooked in a curry sauce with onions, tomatoes and Indian spices. Rice is not included
Appetizers
Vegetable Samosas
Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas
Keema Samosas
Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with fresh minced lamb
Jhinga Karahi
Deep fried shrimp marinated in vinegar and lemon juice along with garlic, ginger, sesame seed, black pepper and corn flour
Papadum
Crispy, delicate thin wafers 4 pieces of seasoned lentil flour
Coconut Fried Shrimp
Special. Fried shrimp served with a one of a kind mango mint chutney
Paneer Pakoras
Homemade batter fried cottage cheese fritters
Vegetable Sampler
Platter includes a vegetable samosa, a vegetable cutlet and vegetable pakoras
Masala Papadum
Papadum topped with onion, cilantro, tomato, spices and masala
Vegetable Pakoras
Vegetables of the day dipped in a lentil batter and deep fried until crisp and golden
Vegetable Cutlets
Two deep fried patties made with seasoned vegetables
Vegetable Essence
Saag Chaman
Spinach and homemade cottage cheese simmered in spices. Rice is not included
Vegetable Korma
Corn, potatoes, carrots, green peas, green beans and cottage cheese in a curry sauce. Rice is not included
Dal Turka
Yellow lentils sautéed with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, Indian spices and whole red chilies. Rice is not included
Mutter Paneer
Combination of peas and cheese cooked in a rich creamy sauce. Rice is not included
Gobhi Gulastan
Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with herbs and ginger. Rice is not included
Chana Masala
Chickpeas cooked in a curry sauce with onions, tomatoes and Indian spices. Rice is not included
Shahi Paneer
Cubes of fresh cottage cheese in a rich cashew, tomato and cream gravy. Rice is not included
Dal Makhani
Black lentils cooked in a creamy curry sauce. Rice is not included
Malai Ka Kofta
Fresh cottage cheese and potato, dried fruit, and Indian spices in a tomato and cream sauce. Rice is not included
Mushroom Mutter
Sliced mushrooms and peas sautéed in a creamy curry sauce. Rice is not included
Paneer Khurchan
Special. An essence exclusive dish. Homemade cottage cheese with yellow, red and green bell peppers, onions, tomato and Indian spices. Rice is not included
Green Beans and Potatoes
Mild curry with curry leaf, coconut, mustard seeds, onions and tomatoes. Rice is not included
Bhindi Ka Masala
Mild curry sauce cooked with fresh okra, tomatoes and onions. Rice is not included
Aloo Do Pyaza
Potatoes, onion and tomato mixed with Indian spices. Rice is not included
Aloo Mutter
Combination of peas and potatoes cooked with tomatoes, onion, cumin and a touch of ginger. Rice is not included
Baigan Bharta
Smoked, puréed eggplant cooked with tomatoes and onions. Rice is not included
Saag Aloo
Spinach and potatoes simmered in spices. Rice is not included
Spinach with Chickpeas
Homemade spinach simmered in Indian spices, tomatoes and chickpeas. Rice is not included
Chicken Essence
Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)
Special. Tandoori chicken simmered in tomato sauce, butter and spices. Rice is not included
Murg Tikka Masala
Skewered boneless marinated chicken cooked with Indian spices and herbs in a cream sauce. Rice is not included
Chicken Shahi Korma
Chicken, nuts and spices prepared in a mild creamy curry. Rice is not included
Chicken Vindaloo
Marinated chicken and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices. Rice is not included
Bhuna Chicken
Chicken in a masala sauce with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and green chilies. Rice is not included
Madras Curry Chicken
Chicken curry south Indian style - marinated chicken in tomato, garlic, coriander, cumin and curry leaves. Rice is not included
Murg Lajwab
Boneless chicken marinated with herbs and spices in a curry sauce. Rice is not included
Chicken Saag
Boneless chicken and spinach cooked in a gravy sauce. Rice is not included
Chicken Karahi
Masala chicken tossed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and fresh garlic. Rice is not included
Achari Murgh
Tender pieces of chicken cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek. Rice is not included
Lamb Essence
Rogan Josh
Lamb curry with an onion and tomato gravy. Rice is not included
Lamb Pasanda
Lamb curry cooked with almonds, cashews and Indian spices in a curry sauce. Rice is not included
Lamb Vindaloo
Marinated lamb and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices
Gosht Korma
Cubes of lamb cooked in a sweet saffron sauce combined with finely ground raisins and almonds. Rice is not included
Lamb Palak
Lamb and fresh spinach leaves cooked in a combination of ginger, coriander, garlic and garam masala. Rice is not included
Goan Lamb
Lamb curry cooked in a coconut sauce. Rice is not included
Achari Gosht
Tender pieces of lamb cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek. Rice is not included
Tandoor Essence (Clay and Charcoal Oven)
Murg Tikka
Skewered boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices then barbecued in the clay oven
Chicken Malai Kabob
Skewered boneless chicken marinated in vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, egg white, corn flour and cream cheese with a sprinkle of lemon juice, green chili and cilantro. Rice is not included
Seekh Kabob
Tender rolls of minced lamb mixed with herbs and spices cooked in the tandoor oven
Indian Chicken Tandoori
Skinless chicken marinated in spices and yogurt then barbecued in the clay oven. Rice is not included
Tandoori Shrimp
Jumbo shrimp marinated in caraway seeds and a flavored yogurt blended with Indian spices. Rice is not included
Tandoori Chicken Salad
Lettuce, cucumbers, carrot, onion and tandoori chicken (your choice of dark or white meat) with an Indian dressing that includes mango chutney, vinegar and a touch of Indian spice
Fish and Seafood Essence
Shrimp in Coconut Masala
Shrimp cooked with a touch of Indian spice, onions, tomatoes, coconut milk, green chilies, red wine vinegar and green onions. Rice is not included
Shrimp Vindaloo
Marinated shrimp and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices. Rice is not included
Goan Fish Curry
Catfish cooked in a spicy coconut curry sauce. Rice is not included
Jhinga Masala
Shrimp cooked with onions, ginger and Indian spices. Rice is not included
North Indian Fish Curry
Boneless catfish, cumin and other Indian spices in a curry sauce. Rice is not included
Shrimp with Spinach
Spinach simmered with onions, cumin, tomatoes and shrimp. Rice is not included
Yogurt Fish
Catfish cooked in olive oil spiced with cumin, onion, tomato, yogurt and green cardamom. Rice is not included
Biryani and Rice Essence
Non-vegetarian Biryani
Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables, herbs and your choice of meat
Basmati Rice
Long grain steamed basmati rice
Vegetable Biryani
Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables and herbs
Saffron Rice
Basmati rice cooked with saffron threads, cardamom and cloves
Kashmiri Pulao
Saffron flavored basmati rice with dried fruits and nuts
Peas Pulao
Fried rice cooked with peas
Bread Essence
Garlic Naan
Naan topped with garlic
Naan
Leavened bread made in the tandoor
Butter Naan
Naan with butter
Poori
Two puffy deep fried breads
Tandoori Roti
Flat bread made in clay oven
Paratha Tandoori
Whole-wheat dough twisted and lightly brushed with butter and cooked in the tandoor
Beverages
Mango Lassi
Homemade mango yogurt shake
Diet Coke
Coke
Masala Tea (Chai)
Indian style tea boiled with water, milk and herbs
Sprite
Lassi
Homemade yogurt shake - choice of sweet or salted
Tea
Coffee
Dessert Essence
Gulab Jamun
Golden fried dumpling of milk pastry soaked in a sweet syrup
Rasmalai
Flat cottage cheese dumpling in milk and garnished with pistachios
Kheer
Indian version of rice pudding made with basmati rice, sugar and nuts
Kulfi
Indian style ice cream: choice of pistachio or mango
Sides
Raita
Plain yogurt mixed with cucumber, herbs and spices
Green Chutney
Murg Tikka Masala Sauce
Butter Chicken Sauce
Mixed Salad
Individual lettuce salad with tomato, onion, carrot, and cucumber, garnished with lemon wedges, green chili and cilantro
Mango Chutney
Sweet pickles made from mangoes
Indian Pickel
Tamarind Chutney
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Recent Reviews
We came here on a whim last Saturday and we're pleasantly surprised overall. The food was delicious, the drinks were tasty and the service was great. Our waiter was warm and friendly. We ordered a veggie sampler for the table and I had ordered the shahi paneer for myself with garlic Naan and a mango lassi. It was all very good! We've been back twice in under a week 😋 I definitely recommend and their mild option is perfect for those that can't handle spice, like...
February 2025
The spiciness of the lentils is no joke, not too overwhelming in taste, but the temperature was scalding hot and I was in a hurry, so it wasn't the best circumstance for me. It's refreshing to be able to talk at conversational volume without accounting for bad acoustics or blaring music. Give it a try! Great accompaniment to the Davis Theatre.
January 2025
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I love this restaurant, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best Indian restaurants in Chicago. We usually order vegetable biryani, vegetable korma curry, garlic naan, and samosas—everything is always delicious. The wine selection is good too. The owner is very welcoming, and the staff is friendly as well.
Highly recommended!