There was a spate of latest Asian eating place openings in Mumbai in fresh months. Whilst a couple of have selected to specialize in explicit cuisines or be offering area of interest dishes, others have embraced the vast umbrella of “pan-Asian” meals. There is not any denying the latter’s recognition, at the side of the scrumptious enchantment of such selection. In February 2024, Mumbai noticed the hole of Hyderabad’s Kembara within the Bandra Kurla Advanced (BKC). We had the danger to dine there and spend a leisurely night sampling yummy dishes.
Photograph Credit score: Kembara Mumbai
Kembara Mumbai is a challenge led by way of Shilpa Datla and Chef Seefah Ketchaiyo. Chef Seefah is well known for her eponymous eating place on Hill Highway in Bandra – extensively thought to be one of the best within the town. Due to this fact, we seemed ahead to finding the chef’s signature touches at this new release. “Chef Seefah helped adjust the menu to fit the tastes of Mumbaikars,” Shilpa tells us. “In comparison to the Hyderabad menu, this one has extra seafood. The kind of spiciness exhibited within the dishes could also be reasonably other,” she provides.
Photograph Credit score: Kembara Mumbai
The eating place derives its title from the Malay phrase “to wander”. The menu takes diners on a comforting culinary adventure throughout Asia, with handpicked cuisine from Jap, Thai, Chinese language, Vietnamese, Malay, Korean, and different cuisines. The decor is increased with pastel and earthen hues, paired with furnishings and art work constructed from herbal fabrics corresponding to wooden, jute, linen and cane. Just like the meals, the atmosphere maintains your convenience zone reasonably than difficult it an excessive amount of. It makes the distance extra inviting and stress-free – best for an get away after a busy day at paintings.
Photograph Credit score: Kembara Mumbai
The crisp Turnip Cake used to be the primary appetiser we tasted, and it instantly gained us over. The stuffing of radish, carrot and mushroom used to be satisfyingly cushy and did not really feel heavy at the gadget. We loved how the spice of the chilli and garlic hit against the tip. This can be a dish price returning for.
Some of the vegetarian starters, we additionally preferred the Greenhouse California Roll and the Vegetable Peking Dumpling. Whilst scrumptious in their very own proper, they did not have a wow issue. Peruse the meals menu for a couple of mins and you’ll be able to realise it is all about convenience and flavour. The sophistication lies in crafting a memorably delicious model of loved dishes discovered in lots of different institutions. Chef Seefah manages to verify Kembara sticks out from the gang.
Photograph Credit score: Kembara Mumbai
The non-vegetarian appetisers introduced us again round. We extremely counsel the Rooster Chilli Basil Xiao Lengthy Pao. It had an fragrant stuffing and used to be served in a warming broth. If you are bored of the similar outdated choices, this one is bound to offer a distinct type of dim sum enjoy. If you wish to persist with vintage choices, you can not move unsuitable with the Rooster Gyoza.
Photograph Credit score: Kembara Mumbai
Some of the cocktails, do not leave out the refreshing Inexperienced Tea Geisha (gin, sake, cold-brewed inexperienced tea) and the delightfully bitter Galangal Grove (vodka, vermouth, galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime, with a touch of Thai chilli). There are some well-balanced mocktails to be had as properly. Our selections are the Shandong Fizz (a watermelon-berry mixture), and the Sawayaka (apple, basil, elderflower, lime and ginger ale).
Photograph Credit score: Kembara Mumbai
In the principle direction, you’ll be able to make a choice from typical rice and noodle choices. There also are a couple of signature takes price testing. We loved the smelly earthy flavours of the Chengdu Potato with scallions and lotus root. Word that it is a dry preparation, now not a gravy. The sophisticated Thai Thai-Taste fried Rice, made with sticky rice, used to be every other hit. If you are feeling like dropping your self within the comforts of curry, do not hesitate to reserve the Rooster Katsu in Jap Udon Curry. Only a whiff of the aromas whetted our urge for food additional. We favored how the rooster remained crisp at the out of doors, even after being submerged within the curry for a number of mins. We will be able to already image folks rising to crave its heat on wet evenings within the town.
Cakes are restricted, however distinctive. We preferred the Lemongrass Cheesecake with seasonal berries however would have most popular much less caramel as a topping. Different fascinating possible choices are the Water Chestnut with Coconut Milk and the Pandan Crepe Roll.
We had a tasty eating enjoy at Kembara, complemented by way of nice provider and a calming atmosphere. If you wish to delight in pan-Asian cuisines with out needless frills, this new eating place in BKC might simply grow to be your go-to possibility.
The place: Store no 11, Kembara, Ins Tower, Reverse Indian Oil Petrol Pump, G Block, Bandra Kurla Advanced, Bandra East, Mumbai.