The Chain That Reinvented Asia
Six countries. One month. A lesson in what Asian food actually means.
Every restaurant chain eventually makes the same mistake. They confuse geography with cuisine.
THE FESTIVAL THAT ISN'T
Chowman launched its Great Asian Food Festival in Mumbai on April 8, running through May 8 at outlets in Andheri West and Mira Road. Six countries under one roof. Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and something they call "Provincial China."
Provincial China is not a place. It is what happens when you cannot name the province.
Asia is not a cuisine. Lumping Japanese kaiseki with Thai som tam with Korean kimchi jjigae is like calling pizza, haggis, and borscht "European food."
THE REAL FESTIVAL
For the real thing, take the train to Bandra and eat Korean barbecue at Gung The Palace. Take a taxi to Kala Ghoda and eat Japanese at Tetsuma. Or go to Chowman and order what they do well. Hakka noodles. Chilli chicken. The Chinese-Indian fusion they have spent years perfecting.
The festival runs through May 8. The food cultures it celebrates have been running for thousands of years.
Field Notes
Quick referenceGreat Asian Food Festival runs April 8 to May 8 at Chowman's Andheri West and Mira Road outlets.
Andheri West and Mira Road, Mumbai.
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