If you’ve tried and loved The Song of India, but can’t afford to spring for stars so often, take heart. The one-Michelin-starred dining establishment has a separate, casual concept, serving up Northern Indian favourites at a fraction of the original restaurant’s price.

Indian Express is the second concept by the same management behind The Song of India, and joins the bevy of Indian eateries at Racecourse Road. While the current chefs at the pricier parent haven’t been uprooted and ported over, the casual eatery is helmed by Executive Chef Umed Singh, an alumnus of the restaurant and protege of Michelin-starred chef Manjunath Mural. The two worked together to curate a menu of home-style dishes for Indian Express.

On the menu, look forward to classics like Butter Chicken ($14) and Palak Paneer ($10) to go with your assortment of naan. There are also other Northern Indian delights like Methi Fish (12) curry and Kashmiri Lamb Rack Wazwan ($14)—tender lamb marinated in a blend of herb spices. The full menu extends to authentic Indian sweets and drinks as well, like the popular wintertime pudding Carrot Halwa ($4.50) made from ghee, milk and sugar; and freshly brewed Masala Tea ($3).

Aside, Indian Express pays homage to Kolkata’s early Chinese settlers in in the 1700s, whose intermingling lifestyles helped give rise to a new Indian-Chinese cuisine that today is just as rich. As such, expect to see noodle and rice dishes on the menu too—like Szechuan Egg Fried Rice ($12) and Hakka Noodles ($10), tweaked to be extra spicy.

Dum briyani set meal

Just like The Song of India, Indian Express offers catering—but this time you won’t have to pay through the nose to dine in comfort at home. Prices for the Standard Menu of five dishes start at $11.90 per person, while the Supreme Menu of 15 dishes is $26.90 a head. Name a better deal for quality Indian food; we’ll wait.

Indian Express is located at 38 Race Course Road, open 12pm-11pm daily (closed on Tue).