According to Amit Ahuja, the proprietor of The Open Box, the central business district was in dire need of a decent pan-Asian restaurant. “There are enough Chinese, Thai and Japanese places. But nothing that serves authentic pan-Asian food,” he begins. That’s what led him to set up Misu, in the same premises as TOB but with a completely different vibe. Barely a week old, the space is chic and cosy with kitschy wall paintings, brass lamps and lots of natural lighting. The menu celebrates Burmese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Indone-sian and Malaysian cuisines through a well-put together list of rice dishes, soups, dumplings, sushi, salads and noodles.
Coconut crush
Their signature cocktails include options like Tom Yum Siam (vodka, Malibu, lychee, lime and sugar) and Singapore Symphony (dark rum, gin, pineapple juice, passion fruit and grenadine syrup). We asked for the Straight Outta Gangnam — a mix of vodka, jackfruit, guava juice and sugar syrup. Once you get past the strong aroma of the jackfruit, this one proves to be a refreshing fruity treat.
Fried coconut prawns with mango relish is a must-try appetiser that is made with flattened prawns coated with coconut crumbs and fried to a nice shade of golden brown. The sweet and tangy relish ties the dish together. The chicken ‘Bao-ger’ is a bao served like a burger. Soft and pillowy, the sweetness of the bao pair well with the spicy chicken marinade.
Soy cool
Vegetarians may opt for the Krapow with tofu and jasmine rice for something more substantial. The tofu is velvety smooth and the spicy dark soy sauce it is tossed in ensures you are left begging for more. Their Khow Suey, the quintessential Burmese meal in a bowl, is also impressive. Noodles are cooked in coconut milk and served with mini bowls containing fresh coriander, roasted peanuts, crisp garlic flakes, fresh lime wedges, diced boiled eggs, soy sauce, chopped onions and red chillies. We opted for the non-vegetarian version with chicken in a coconut milk-based broth.
It’s not easy to think of an Asian dessert without bean paste and coconut milk, but Misu does it with aplomb. We sampled their Singapore Style ice cream sandwich (lemongrass ice cream sandwiched between slices of vibrantly-coloured spongecake) and the sinful Crispy banana cinnamon bao with Nutella (warm banana fritters in a cinnamon-flavoured bao and served with a generous dollop of Nutella). Head here for a well presented and delicious pan-Asian spread that offers some of the most popular dishes taken from various cuisines across the region.
Rs.2,000 for two. At St Mark’s Road. Details: 8748475310