In the bustling neighbourhood of Bandra, a rich gastronomic tapestry, emerges a haven that promises to transport you to the street markets of Korea and Japan! Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, the interiors of Mirai in Mumbai feature muted colours, wooden furnishing and minimal decor that enrich the ambiance and create a soothing atmosphere. As someone who loves all things Japanese, my expectations were set quite high and yet, Mirai managed to surpass them all.
Mirai In Mumbai Is A Portal To The Streets Of Japan And Korea
The moment I entered the 1700-sq-m space, I was greeted by warm wishes from the staff and the warm colours of the interiors. As a person who easily gets overstimulated, Mirai was a boon. It wasn’t crammed with bright decor that assaulted your eyes or scrambled for your attention. The subtle natural hues of the place did well to invite guests and lull them into a sense of calm.
The tatami-style seating was a pleasant surprise and elevated the entire experience. Even the songs playing in the background weren’t too loud! All of this meant that I was in for an experience that I wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon! And experiencing all of this with me was my sister, Nida, whom I call Nida Baji (Urdu for ‘didi’).
Throughout our meal, founders Saamir Chandnani and Rinchen Angchuk, and the extremely meticulous staff of Mirai ensured that all our needs were taken care of. Special shoutout to Mr. Narendra and Mr. Murali who were constantly scuttling back and forth from the kitchen to our table, making sure we had everything we needed. Their helpful nature and kindness added a lot to our experience.
From Banchan To Barbeque, A Journey To Remember
That the folks over at Mirai were as generous with their hospitality as they were warm is evident from the long list of dishes we devoured.
Everything We Tried
Beverages
Tokyo Sour
A bright, fruity, gin-based cocktail with Kaffir Lime. A deliciously refreshing drink to pair with your meal.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Gochujang Picante
If you love spiced drinks, this would be your jam. Tangy, sweet, savoury, spicy and extremely fun to sip on.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Japanese Lemonade
If you’re a fan of the strong, distinctive Yuzu lemon flavour, this lemonade would be perfect for you. The zesty flavour of the lemon really stands out and engulfs every other flavour present.
Would I Order It Again? No
Passionfruit Mocktail
This fruity mocktail was the perfect blend of tangy, sweet and fruity. You cannot go wrong with this one.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Dishes
Banchan: Kimchi, Spinach, and Garlic Kimchi
We tried three different types of Banchan: Cabbage Kimchi, Spinach and Garlic Kimchi. All three were well-flavoured, well-prepared and very delicious. Even though the spinach banchan had minimal seasoning, there was a richness to its flavour that was quite mind-blowing.
The Garlic Kimchi, too, took us by surprise. That was the banchan that we kept reaching for the most!
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Korean Rock Shrimp
This sweet and savoury dish was so delicious, it was unbelievable! The shrimp were fried to a crisp, golden perfection and were juicy on the inside, yet crispy and sweet on the outside. The shrimp was like that one introverted friend you have that you don’t notice at first, but once you get to know them, you realise what a treat they really are. I, for sure, will be dreaming about them.
Would I Order It Again? Absolutely Yes!
Gimmari
If you were thinking that Mirai is not a place for vegetarians, think again. These are Japchae or Korean glass noodles wrapped in fried seaweed and served with a spicy sauce sent from the heaven that is the kitchen of Mirai! This may start to sound repetitive but I absolutely loved it!
Would I Order It Again? Absolutely, Yes!
Zucchini Cream Cheese Salad
Another vegetarian dish, this is perfect for those with a continental palate. It is lightly flavoured, mild and refreshing.
Would I Order It Again? Probably not.
Mirai Special Veg Sushi Roll
This vegetarian sushi packed a lot of flavour. If you’re someone who is looking for a safe option, this is probably it.
Would I Order It Again? Maybe
Tempura Roll
The shrimp tempura roll was the star of sushi rolls we tried. If you’re a fan of prawns or shrimp, you will definitely love this.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
OMG Roll
The OMG Sushi Roll was quite different from the ones we tried. It had salmon and tuna, which were very fresh. The rice was perfectly seasoned and their texture paired well with that of the fish. It made for quite a memorable mouthful.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Salmon Carpaccio
If there’s one seafood dish that you must order, it is this Salmon Carpaccio. It comes with salmon sashimi with avocado. The salmon fillets were so soft and fresh, it was like biting into a cloud. The subtle flavour of the sauce elevated it to a whole new level.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Hamachi Sashimi
The Hamachi Sashimi would be for those who are looking for true Japanese flavours. It has almost no other flavour but when you bite into the sashimi you understand why that is. To season a fillet so fresh with anything that overpowers its flavour would truly be a crime.
Would I Order It Again? Maybe
Pajeon
Pajeon were zucchini pancakes served with a house-made spicy sauce. This Korean dish did not disappoint and would be an excellent snack for your vegetarian friends.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Sweet Potato Salad
If the sweet potato salad struggled to impress, it was probably because of how impressive all the other dishes were. The salad is topped with egg shavings that give it a pungent fragrance. If you’re not averse to such a scent, you may like this dish.
Would I Order It Again? Probably not.
Kimchi Jjigae
One of the more popular Korean dishes, the jjigae reminded me of this pickle my mother makes. It was sour, tangy, and spicy in the best way possible. And given that it has Tofu, it’s 100% vegan-friendly!
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Haemul Jeongol (Seafood Hot Pot)
The seafood hot pot is made at your table, making you feel as if you’ve been whisked off to the streets of Korea and are now relishing the hot pot at one of their local restaurants. The stew itself was well-spiced. The crabs and squid in the stew are cooked to perfection, dripping with the broth they’ve been cooked in and extremely comforting to eat. The glass noodles in the soup had a nice bite to them and gave us a nice break from the meat.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Veg Bibimbap
Another amazing dish that proves that Mirai is an excellent place for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, the bibimbap was prepared in front of us. There aren’t many culinary moments you’ll find memorable once you’ve had the first spoonful of the piping hot bibimbap made right in front of you.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Miso Soup
The quintessential Japanese staple did not disappoint. It was rich and flavourful and the broth was quite unlike anything that my Indian palate had ever tasted. I definitely see why the soup is so beloved in Japan.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Chicken Bulgogi Barbeque
To give us a taste of Korean Barbeque, Mr. Murali prepared our Chicken Bulgogi Barbeque for us at our table. An interesting experience that will undoubtedly impress your Korea-obsessed Gen-Z friend. The flavours of the dish were quite prominent and it is served with a mountain of lettuce.
Would I Order It Again? Probably
Kakuni
I generally don’t like meaty dishes but this one took me by surprise. It was topped with a poached egg so creamy and rich, it was one of my favourite bites I had that day. The meat was slightly sweet and the sauces, combined with the runny egg, made a perfect symphony of flavours.
Would I Order It Again? Yes
Tonkotsu Ramen
This was one of the things I was quite excited about and it did not disappoint. The broth was rich and creamy, the meat was tender, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. The dish was basically a hug in a bowl!
Would I Order It Again? Absolutely Yes
Dessert
If you’re at Mirai, DO NOT miss out on these phenomenal desserts.
Mochi Ice Cream, Vanilla and Strawberry
Sweet, subtle, chewy and cold. These ice cream desserts are everything you didn’t know you needed in a dessert!
Would I Order It Again? Absolutely Yes
Sesame Ice Cream
The sesame ice cream was divine. There are no other words to describe it. The roasted nutty flavour was so unexpected and such a pleasant surprise, we were at a loss for words. After the mind-blowing feast that we devoured, it was hard to imagine that it could be bested but the dessert proved us wrong! Honestly, Mirai is worth a visit for this ice cream alone!
Would I Order It Again? Absolutely, Yes!
Japanese Baked Cheesecake
This cheesecake lives in my head rent-free. It is soft as a cloud, light, airy and so subtly sweet, it almost tastes like childhood! To say that I was it was love at first bite would be an understatement!
Would I Order It Again? Yes
A Place To Visit And Revisit
While I was stuffed to the point of bursting, I was still tempted to keep eating. If that doesn’t tell you how good the food was, I don’t know what does. Given the service, ambiance and portion sizes, I did not find the rates to be exorbitant. You get a lot of bang for your buck, especially if you’re really into Japanese and Korean culture.
It is an experience that meant a lot to me, not least because of my penchant for Pan-Asian food. It was everything I was hoping it to be and more. I certainly look forward to the day I walk through the door of Mirai again.
When are you heading to the restaurant?
Where: 2nd floor, Suburbia Building between Linking Road, and, Swami Vivekananda Rd, Bandra West
When: Monday to Thursday, 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Cost: ₹2,500 for two approx.
Cover Image Credits: Tooba Shaikh
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