There's karaoke throwbacks, self-serve beers and a $65 tasting menu at Sydney restaurant Pinky Ji, the newest 'fun dining' venture from restaurateur and chef Jessi Singh.

Pinky-Ji is the latest iteration of Singh's brand of casual, 'unauthentic Indian' fare that garnered international attention with the now-closed New York restaurant Babu-Ji.

This time, Singh has collaborated with former Chin Chin chef Johann Jay to create a "slightly more elevated" menu with wok-fired mud crab ($30), fresh lobster grilled with Sri Lankan coconut curry lead sambal ($48) and tandoor king prawns with green chilli and coriander butter ($10).

"I am really excited to bring this brand new concept to Sydney, especially with all our success with [Surry Hills restaurant] Don't Tell Aunty in this market," Singh says. Singh also operates a chain of Daughter-in-law restaurants in Melbourne, Byron Bay and Adelaide.

"The name is a nod to my Punjabi roots and we have tried to capture the essence of Australia's third generation migrants.

"As always it features my love of music from the '70s, '80s and 90s and celebrates all aspects of India including film, architecture and … décor."

The basement-level eatery on York Street in the CBD is Instagram-friendly, with bright neon signs, gold velvet booths and a canopy of marigold garlands. The Bollywood vibes amp up in the private dining room, where there's a karaoke machine and couch seating.

"It's a total sensory overload," Singh says.

We asked Singh how to get the most out of a visit to Pinky-Ji's.

What are your three must-try dishes?

Definitely our signature dish, balls of happiness ($5 each): It's a crunchy textural ode to the mother country that really encapsulates all things India in one bite! We have also have a gorgeous new lobster dish on the menu that will blow your mind. It's fresh Australian lobster delicately cooked in curry butter ($48). The other thing I would not miss is the whole flounder ($48). We get them straight from Sydney Fish Market each day and it's cooked with curry oil, capers and handmade spices!

What's your go-to drink order?

We have created an amazing signature cocktail especially for Pinky Ji. It's the perfect accompaniment to a curry.

Where's the best seat in the house?

The best seat in the house is definitely the round booth – you have a front row seat to our open kitchen and a full view of the room all the way to the bar.

When is the best time to visit?

The weekends will be pumping and we will have Bollywood dancing and a jukebox making sure the vibe is en pointe!

Open Mon-Fri lunch and every day for dinner.

Basement 89 York Street, Sydney; pinkyji.com.au