Basant Modern Indian Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Basant Modern Indian, a remarkable culinary gem located at 1939 W Byron St, Chicago. This Indian restaurant artfully blends authentic flavors with contemporary presentation, inviting diners to explore an extraordinary menu that caters to various dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options.
Begin your feast with delightful starters like the Gobi Manchurian, featuring crispy cauliflower koftas drizzled with a tangy Sichuan sauce, or indulge in the rich Chicken Malai paired with cream and cilantro. The mains are equally enticing—savor the fall-off-the-bone Lamb Shank Nihari or a comforting bowl of Saag brimming with greens and herbs.
- Menu Highlights:
- Innovative dishes with traditional roots
- Inclusive options for every palate
- Classy atmosphere with outdoor seating
Basant Modern Indian redefines your dining experience with its elegance and flavor, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
Starters
Gobi Manchurian
Fried cauliflower koftas, sauce with peppers, garlic, ginger, Sichuan pepper & rice vinegar (Vegan, GF)
Chicken Malai Cilantro
Chicken, cream & cilantro sauce (GF)
Paneer Malai Cilantro
Paneer, cream & cilantro sauce (GF)
Pork Belly Vindaloo Tonkatsu with Plum Murabba
Pork Belly Tonkatsu, Vindaloo Aioli, Plum Murabba, wasabi mustard microgreens (DF, contains eggs & gluten)
Chettinad Fried Chicken
Fried chicken in 22-ingredient Chettinad marinade, kokum, manzano (GF)
Lamb Chops
Seared lamb chops, mint chutney, seasoned fries (mint chutney contains dairy, fries contain gluten)
Aloo Tikki
Fried potato croquette, yoghurt, mint & tamarind chutneys, yellow chili (GF, Vegetarian; mint chutney contains dairy)
Fish Amritsari & Chips
Cod Fish (DF), mint chutney, seasoned fries (mint chutney contains dairy; fries contain gluten)
Mushroom Kulcha with Truffle Garlic Butter
Leavened flatbread, mushrooms, truffle garlic butter (Vegetarian)
Chicken Korma Koftas
Minced chicken koftas, korma spice mix, Saffron, korma aioli (sub veggies korma koftas); CONTAINS NUTS and dairy
Vegetable Korma Kofta
Jackfruit and King Trumpet Mushroom koftas, korma spice mix, Saffron, korma aioli (sub veggies korma koftas); CONTAINS NUTS and dairy
Mango, Corn, Sweet Potato & Hominy Bhel (contains allergens)
*NOT recommended for guests who have allergies to wheat, peanuts, treenuts, soy, sesame, mustard or sulphites*
Mulligatawny
Spicy lentil broth, dollop of rice (Vegan, GF)
Tomato Lemon Shorba
Tomato soup, lemon, cilantro (Vegan, GF)
Kachumber Salad
Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lemon juice (Vegan, GF)
Soup/Salad
Mains
Fish Basant
Seared salmon filet, coconut milk and tomato sauce, habanero (Rice included) (DF, GF)
Chicken Basant
Peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomato & onion sauce (paneer+veggie option available as substitute for chicken) (Rice included) (GF)
Lamb Shank Nihari
Fall-of-the-bone lamb shank braised in spices (Rice included)
Makhani
Traditional tomato sauce (GF) (paneer option is vegetarian)
Saag
Mix of greens and herbs, slow-simmered (Vegetarian, GF) (paneer option is vegetarian)
Malai Kofta
Potato and paneer koftas, tomato and cashew sauce (Rice included) (Vegetarian, GF) (Contains Nuts)
Mushroom Medley & Jackfruit Haleem
Mushroom and Jackfruit medley, porridge of lentils, cracked wheat, Portabella Mushrooms, sliced lemon, fried onions (Plain Rice Included) (Vegan)
Kichad Chole Bhature
Chick peas, deep-fried, leavened bread (Vegetarian), includes two bhaturas
Fish Tikka
Salmon with skin, roasted in Tandoor (No sauce, Rice not included) (DF, GF)
Paneer Tikka
Paneer and peppers, roasted in Tandoor (GF) (No sauce, Rice not included)
Chicken Tikka
Boneless chicken kebabs, roasted in Tandoor (GF) (No sauce, Rice not included)
Cornish Hen
Cornish hen, roasted in Tandoor (GF) (No sauce, Rice not included)
Tandoor
Sides
Dal Maharani
Slow-cooked black lentils (Rice not included) (Vegetarian, GF)
Channa Masala
Old Delhi style garbanzo beans (Rice not included) (Vegetarian, GF)
Yellow Dal
Moong and Masoor lentils, (Rice not included) (Vegan, GF)
Eggplant Bharta
Eggplant, roasted in Tandoor (Rice not included) (Vegan, GF)
Roti
Whole wheat bread (Vegan)
Plain Naan
Enriched white flour bread (Contains dairy)
Garlic Naan
Enriched white flour bread, topped with minced garlic and cilantro (Contains dairy)
Lacha Parantha
Whole wheat bread, layered with butter (Contains dairy)
Breads
Rice
Plain Basmati Rice
Basmati rice (Vegan, GF)
Jeera Rice
Basmati rice with toasted cumin seeds (Vegan, GF)
Cauliflower Rice
Riced cauliflower (DF, GF)
Plain Raita
Yoghurt with house-made seasoning
Cucumber Raita
Yoghurt with house-made seasoning and shredded cucumber
Onions, Green Chillies & Lime
Mint Chutney
Tamarind Chutney
Mango Chutney
Chilli Oil
Accompaniments
Desserts
Kheer
Rice pudding, slivered almonds, cardamom, pistachio garnish (contains nuts, GF)