Jai ho vegetarianism! The all star-cast of vegetables has arrived on the global silver screen. Recently, I ate at Joia (Milano), the world#39;s first pure vegetarian to get a Michelin star. And also in New York’s brand new vegetarian Dirt candy.
Past couple of years, Mumbai has been awash by a veggie wave…Multi cuisine (Spesso, Miami), Mexican (Quattro) Italian (Riso) vegan bakery (The Rolling pin) Modern Indian (Spice klub, Café Haqq se, Panaya, Firki) North Indian (Oye Kake). The only pure vegetarian Pan Asian restaurant is The Asian Street Kitchen (ASK). And it’s been magnetizing regulars ever since it opened.
DECOR
Seriously small, the 42 seater is boxed into two levels with crammed seating. Cheerful and daylight bathed. It also has an al fresco area with a view of Chowpatty.
FOOD
It’s the well-made Burmese Khao suey which continues to be the hot seller here. As does the bold and deliciously flavoured Nasi Goreng. Tasty Vietnamese Pho with its mint, sprouts and basil and even a veggie tempura paired with sriracha mayo. Plump thin-skinned, dim sum (steamy garlic, Mushroom and also unusual Pakchoy) delight. As does the moist flavoursome pot rice.
Honey noodles with sesame passes, muster Hazelnut mousse and chocolate lava cake are tasty inspite of being oversweet.
MINUS POINTS
Crammed seating here. No alochol, No Chinese tea either. Doughy tempura, lack lustre Thai curry. Ditto for the Som Tam. Potatoes could do with more basil. Red velvet dessert unavailable.
MY POINT
Mumbai’s only pure vegetarian Pan Asian eatery, maybe small and boxed-in but it’s brilliantly located on Chowpatty sea face. It also takes pains to carefully source only pure vegetarian ingredients and substitutes (for fish sauce, oyster sauce etc). Needless to add that many of the primarily non-vegetarian Pan Asian cuisines do not translate well into vegetarian dishes. But within the confines of that challenge ASK serves up moderately priced, refined Asian flavors fine-tuned to the Indian vegetarian palates. It sure has them ASK-ing for more.
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