Noor Jahan

I had a business firm set up in London but then had to move to Hong Kong in 1991. I had no plans on setting up any further business in London and settled down here in Hong Kong but one morning a friend called and it had been 20 years since we've sat and had a drink. So, I decided to pay him a visit. I have to say, a lot has changed since the 1990s here in London. I stayed at a hotel during my stay and one night I was really salivating for Indian curry. I asked the hotel receptionist if she had known any local curry houses and she mentioned the name ‘Noor Jahan. It’s then that I remembered about this curry house and its mouth watering chicken tikka masala dish. I hurried down there and ordered the same dish that I have always ordered since the 1990s - chicken tikka masala and I have to say, the dish had not changed in taste. It still very much tasted like it did in the very early 1990s. This is an excellent little curry houses to this very day and I would very much like a see ‘Noor Jahan’ opening a branch in Hong Kong.
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Y Wuong
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 31, 2011

Booked the Noor Jahan for my partners birthday, a party of 8.

On arrival we were duly shown to our table, we ordered drinks and then set about ordering the food. This turned up in good time, but we were made to feel quite uneasy as the food was just dumped on the table.

One of our party asked for an extra dish, well you would have thought he had asked for a gold bar! the attitude from the staff was shocking to say the least, it was as if they did not want you there.

I approached one of the staff to say this was a birthday booking, he told me that i should have let them know in advance and that they had nothing in the way of a cake to bring out!! even a bowl of ice cream of something along the lines of that would have been ok, maybe with a sparkler in it.

Mews of Mayfair where we ate 2 weeks prior to this brought out a cake for a birthday guest without any fuss and they had been informed of the birthday!

The food was good but the service was well below what you would expect.

When we checked the bill we found 2 extra dishes had been added that we had not ordered, when we questioned this they were removed without any question, that speaks volumes to me.

The staff did get upset when we removed the service charge, well we got such poor service there was no way we were going to tip.

Over all a poor experience and a disapointing birthday treat for my partner.
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Garin Kelly
3 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Monday, July 04, 2011

Loved this restaurant! My traveling partners had been to Noor Jahan on earlier trips to London and enjoyed it. We decided to check recent reviews to compare to some other nearby Indian establishments. Upon reading recent reviews about the poor service we mulled it over and decided we would give it a go anyway as we wanted a small, intimate atmosphere. We were not disappointed. The serving staff was extremely attentive, helpful in our selections and it was a fun, relaxing evening. The food came promptly - served piping hot & delicious. We were pleased we had not let the negative reviews on service deter us from choosing Noor Jahan. Next visit to London - I would definitely return.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 28, 2011

A classic local eatery - if you go any night after 8pm you wont get a table - its always full of people who know the manager and have been returning for years. Its excellent and does what it says on the tin - not a fancy restaurant - but a local curry house doing what they do best reasonably priced, quick indian food. We have made it a weekly pit stop - and from locals, to film stars & to royalty - this restaurant remains a faithful little gem.
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10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, February 19, 2011

I rarely write reviews and when I do they are only to rave about restaurants. The poor treatment we received at Noor Jahan demands outing unfortunately...

I have eaten at Noor Jahan before and have enjoyed the food but after the treatment we received the other night, I will never return. A friend and I arrived back from several hours spent on the M4 coming back from the country and, while perhaps a tad worse for wear from the road and the night before, were certainly in very presentable condition and looking forward to a restorative Sunday dinner. The restaurant had maybe 3 (of 25?) tables occupied. We each had a small weekend bag which, none too politely, they took off us as if they were dirty diapers and chucked them in the bottom of the closet. So far, so bizarre. They led us to a very cramped table in the midst of a line of seven other empty ones (this was half-past six mind you) and insisted we sit there even when we politely requested another table. When we attempted to sit next to each other on the banquette to chat - with no one within 5 tables of us - they again hurried over and in a rude fashion said "Excuse me, we like to keep the restaurant neat please." WTF?! After a tense sidebar of the staff, they offered us the table next to us, a 4-top, which, like all the others, was unoccupied so it didn't seem a great imposition. The surly maitre'd asked what we would like to drink and my female friend ordered a bottled beer. When they brought the beer out in a glass, she inquired, politely, why that was the case and could she instead please have it in the bottle (as ordered). The same surly gent said "Well you didn't tell us that when you ordered it, did you Madam? i'm sorry but no, I cannot change it". Extraordinary. So she followed up with, "Excuse me, what seems to be the problem? You have given us a strange attitude from the moment we walked in?". He approached the table aggressively, yanked the table back and said "Get out of my restaurant"!. When I asked him for an explanation, he said "I don't have to explain anything to anyone - just leave". I asked him if this was how he would like to portray Noor Jahan to the outside world and he said "I don't care who you tell". So it was an invitation I couldn't decline ..

I have eaten at most of the fine restaurants in London and have never, ever witnessed the rudeness, arrogance and genuinely bizarre behavior of the staff; having a celebrity clientele is not an excuse - this was in fact inexcusable, most unprofessional behavior. There are many other places to go and not only will I never patronize Noor Jahan again, I would also encourage others who may have had a similar experience to let the world know. As I said, it's not in my nature to register this sort of complaint but in the face of the extraordinary rudeness we experienced, it would be unfair on others not to. Stay away and good riddance.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

We had visited had visited "Noorjahan 2" off Sussex Gardens a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it so we were keen to give it's sister restaurant a go especially as it had the reputation as the great and good's favourite local indian. After a hard day watching the mighty Chelsea turn over West Ham and with a pregnant wife with a craving for curry we thought we would pop down to Gloucester Road to give it a go. We fancied an early meal so lovely my wife had booked us in for 7pm. When we arrived the restaurant was empty apart from one other couple. We were shown to a table in the window which wasn't ideal but my wife was comfortable so we didn't move. There were lots of staff on duty suggesting they would be very busy later on. As it turned out they were fully booked as various people came in looking for tables and were turned away.

The menu is the same as "Noorjahan2" so lots of nice dishes on there. My wife when for the butter chicken whereas I had the house special chicken Tika massala. We ordered sides of Saag Aloo, peshwari nan and pilau rice. I was quite surprised that it all came to our table really quickly. Not ideal as I was hoping for more leisurely dinner. The food was nice but very creamy and rich. I finished mine but my wife only had half her butter chicken. The Saag Aloo was very nice though. To follow we had my wife's favourite Gulab Jamon which was good but not as nice as "Noorjahan 2's" version. We washed this down with a large cobra and still water.

All in all pretty good but I did feel a bit rushed and it seemed various locals were getting a lot more attention than us. We were finished and out by 8:15 which is really too speedy. They seemed very keen to turn the tables yet it was only half full when we left. One area it did have the edge on "Noorjahan 2" is the decor, it looks sleek and modern which sets a nice tone. I don't think I would bother going back if I was in the area as I feel the nearby "Star of India" does better food and ambience. Maybe various stars go here but I feel there are better places out there where your custom will be a bit more valued.
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david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

I am a regular eating out type of person who likes to eat out on friday nights. After looking for a restaurant to eat out I came across the reviews for Noor Jahan restaurent. I read the comments people had wrote about this restaurant then decided to visit Noor Jahan my self on Valentines day along side with my wife. After having eaten the food I believe the food standard falls in the excellent margin also keeping in mind how small and overcrowded it is. I must say that the service was much better then I expected, whilst being packed they still managed to provide the food at reasonable waiting time. (I thought it was going to be those days where it would take for ever for the food to arrive). It still amazes me how they manage to produce high standard of food and still cope with all the customers. No wonder why this place attracts big-name eaters such as Rowan Atkinson who I came across whilst being waited to be seated.
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David Heatherington
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 15, 2010

Always love the busy atmosphere in Noorjahan, not expereinced elsewhere, a cosy venue.

Food tastes freshly made, natural flavours, digestible, and no need to go gym like i do most occasions after a curry night out.

I havn't come across any famous people probably because my eyes don't lift off the table, but wish i had been there when Angelina and Pitt walked through the door, and not to mention Downey Jnr, who i hear is a health freak, which speaks for Noorjahan's brilliant food.

My favourite restaurant in kensington!!
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Dr Raju
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Noorjahan is one of the best restaurants in all of London. The food is fantastic and to die for. Even though they are very busy in the evening. I went to Noorjahan last week myself with my husband and many customers were queuing from outside. Luckily there was a table arranged for us. The food was delicious, my compliments to the chef.

The staff at Noorjahan are wonderful and very polite. The service is very good. And I am hoping to go there next week with my family to celebrate my daughters birthday!
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Zara73
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Above average food matches with slightly above average prices. Would get a decent review but the cheeky buggers tried to slip £8 onto our bill, hoping we wouldn't notice. Luckily I'd read the reviews on here before visiting so checked their maths before paying up. The smiling apologies did not ring true.

A safe option if you're in the area, just check your bill before paying.
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currylover
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, December 21, 2009