Ashoka Seaham review with sea views and tasty curry

We paid a visit for my younger brother’s birthday (his choice, so expectations were already high), and with the restaurant sitting proudly opposite the Tommy statue and the sea just beyond, it’s safe to say the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting before you’ve even picked up a menu.

As with any respectable Indian meal, we kicked things off with poppadoms and dips, because honestly, is it even a trip to an Indian without them?

The trio of sweet mango chutney, creamy mint sauce and that classic onion-tomato mix didn’t disappoint.

Crunch, dip, repeat. It’s the unofficial warm-up act your taste buds deserve whilst waiting for starters and mains, which, by the way, came out very quickly.

My brother, clearly not there to mess about, went in strong with a crab bhaji starter.

My brother’s crab bhaji starter (Image: Will Foxx)

It arrived looking more like a stuffed pancake than your typical bhaji, but he was quick to praise it: “crispy in the right places,” apparently.

There’s also something quite novel about eating seafood curry dishes with the sea practically waving at you from across the road.

For mains, I played it safe (or sensible) with a chicken badami – a creamy, cashew-rich dish that’s big on flavour without blowing your head off – call me weak, but I like to taste my food rather than battle it.

Creamy chicken badami and cheese naan (Image: Will Foxx)

Paired with a cheesy naan, which feels wrong on paper but very right in practice, it was a winning combo perfect for scooping, dipping, and making sure not a drop goes to waste, and it certainly was a curry I didn’t want to waste.

Around the table, it was a proper feast.

Garlic rice was spot on – fluffy, not claggy – while spicier options by my uncle disappeared just as quickly, always a good sign.

Food flowing around the table (Image: Will Foxx)

Sharing is half the fun with a meal like this, even if it does turn the table into a bit of a food crime scene.

Service was warm and attentive throughout, from the moment they open the front door for you, they deliver a genuine welcome and goodbye at either end of the meal.

The restaurant itself leans into rich purples and golds with low lighting, giving it a cosy, intimate feel, ideal for celebrations.

And just when you think you couldn’t manage another bite, a mini mint chocolate arrives with the bill – a small touch, but a thoughtful one, and far easier to handle than a full dessert when you’re already stuffed.

All in all, Ashoka delivers on both flavour and atmosphere. Good food, generous portions, and a seaside backdrop? That’s a naan-brainer, (sorry).

Ratings (out of ten):

Food quality 7

Surroundings 8

Value for money 8

Service 9

The details

Ashoka

15 North Terrace, Seaham SR7 7EU

ashokaseaham.co.uk

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 5pm – 10pm.

Fridays & Saturdays 5pm – 11pm.