CT Review: I Strolled Through Pune’s 1st Southeast Asian Street, Chasing Sushi Runs & Matcha Breaks

I departed from home on a pleasant Saturday morning and encountered the type of weekend traffic that causes one to question all assumptions. I had no idea that the evening would become an exciting Southeast Asian street cuisine experience at Izipizi Street, a wonderful diversion from Pune’s traffic jams and lengthy trip. Honestly, every brake and honk was worthwhile.

I Spent My Night Hopping Through Izipizi Street & It Felt Like Southeast Asia In Pune

The first thing you notice about Izipizi Street is that it doesn’t feel like Pune. You feel as though you’ve entered a hybrid of Seoul’s late-night snack culture, Bangkok’s night markets, and Tokyo’s alleyways. There’s no single cuisine, no fixed way to “do” the place. You move, you pick, you share, you repeat. It’s fast-paced, colourful, and a bit of a whirlwind, but expect an overall welcoming vibe.

The neon lights, the tiny counters, the open kitchens, and the constant flow of people are all designed to evoke the feeling of a street that’s been around forever. It’s not some place hastily assembled for social media. Just when you believe you have everything figured out, you discover the karaoke rooms. That’s when you realise this place isn’t just about eating; it’s about experience.

The brand’s concept, strategy, identity and overall experience design have been developed by Rare Ideas, a Pune-based strategy and design studio, which approached Izipizi Street as a parent brand housing a network of independent, hawker-style concepts.

“We didn’t want to design a restaurant; we wanted to build a street,” says Vijeta Singh, Founder & Creative Director at Rare Ideas and Partner at Together Hospitality.

What I Ate At Izipizi Street While Wandering And Ordering Way Too Much

I didn’t follow a plan. No one really does here. The edamame dumplings with truffle béchamel from Izi Dimsum Station were the first thing that caught my attention: velvety, delicious, and dangerously easy to devour. Then followed the lotus chips with their spice mix. The lotus chips were crunchy and light, and they were the kind of food you could keep reaching for without realising how much you’d consumed. The pulled duck tacos were a big hit: messy, flavourful, and just what you want while you’re jumping between stalls.

I also had the Kinoko sushi from Moto Moto Sushi; that was certainly something you’d order again. The Shio Koji-fried chicken delivered the perfect crunch and flavour without trying too hard.

Nothing here feels overcomplicated. It’s food designed for sharing, for second rounds, and for that “let’s just try one more thing” energy.

Drinks That Match Pune’s Street Pace

The drinks here do not attempt to be overly sophisticated; rather, they strive to be enjoyable. The bar is curated by Arijit Bose and focuses on the way Southeast Asia actually drinks. Consider soju, sake and highballs that are simple, light, and can be ordered on repeat.
The coffee with pearls was a unique variation that fell in between a drink and a dessert. The bubbly picante made it fresh and relaxed. Then there was the classic soju and beer shot combination. Not planned, but somehow, it was completely necessary.

Karaoke, Bad Singing & Zero Regrets

At some point, the night shifted. We entered the karaoke room with the intention of “just trying one song,” which turned into a full-fledged concert, with bad singing, loud cheers, and no judging.

That’s the best part of Izipizi Street. It does not force you to stay; you simply linger longer than you planned. The enthusiasm rises as the night progresses. Conversations become louder, music spills out, and the focus shifts away from the food and onto the experience.

Then Came Juju To Lighten Up The Mood!

After karaoke, we arrived at Juju, and the atmosphere immediately changed to indulgent and light-hearted. The lamb birria tacos were sloppy, flavourful, and well worth it. The queso potato focused heavily on comfort, while cocktails like Funky La Fresas kept things fresh and a little adventurous. It felt like the type of place you’d go when the night wasn’t over.

The spatial design, led by Keith Menon of Spiro Spero, is built to feel gathered rather than themed, echoing the organic layering of real Asian streets. Beyond dining, the space expands into a retail arm that translates the street experience into objects that guests can take home.

The Journey Didn’t Start Here Though…

Before all of this, we made a stop at Gather in Pune to establish the mood for our weekend trip. Their cocktail menu, Postcards from Pune, felt personalised and well thought out. The Warden Off Duty, a less sweet version of an espresso martini with whisky and bitter chocolate, was undoubtedly one of the night’s best drinks. Dry Day Panic followed with a more refreshing, lighter profile of pineapple, vanilla, thyme, and a hint of smoke.

For food, we started with the raw mango salad, which had the proper combination of acidity and sweetness, while the mutton seekh kebab was flavourful and juicy. The Sri Lankan pepper squid with parotta provided a fiery kick, while the coffee tres leches sealed the deal.

After-Party Post Izipizi

After Izipizi and Juju, we concluded the evening with a proper after-party at Cobbler & Crew. The shift in vibe was immediate, more intimate, relaxed, and perfect for winding down without actually slowing down.

Food kept flowing in to start off with edamame, which was presented as fully steamed pods sprinkled in a furikake and togarashi spice mix. The marinated olives and pesto pizzetta were a straightforward, no-fuss choice, perfect for that particular moment.

However, the real highlights of the event were the cocktails. Oddly Good delivered a blend of whisky, jackfruit, lychee, and curry spices that, while seemingly chaotic, was smooth, complex, and truly memorable. Then came Return Gift, a lighter, more floral concoction of vodka, berry compote, multifloral honey, and elderflower that seemed simple and almost dangerously smooth.

And just when we thought we’d seen it all, an espresso martini-style cocktail showed up in an edible ice cream cone-shaped cup. Equal parts plot and genius, you sip, bite, and question why all drinks aren’t served like this.

One Last Stop (Because Why Not?)

This place is big and spacious yet manages to offer a relaxed vibe. At Elephant & Co., we began with kale chaat, whose texture variety surprised me with a flavour bomb. The fried chicken, on the other hand, was crunchy but not oily. And finally, my favourite cream cheese dumplings provided a soft, delightful contrast. Then came the hand-cut fries that were extremely tempting.

On the drinks front, the establishment is well-known for its distinctive cocktails on tap, which include Aperol, Paloma, Gin Fomo, and Bae. It kept things light and summery, complementing our brunch beautifully. The next drink for me was The Asshole (yep, that is the name), which had apricot rum and brandy, a pleasant finish to the cocktail journey. Finally, the Eco Chocolate Mess was almost too beautiful to eat, but after a few moments of admiration, we gobbled every bite.

Also Read: Victorian-Themed Cafe To K-Drama-Like Eatery, 10 New Restaurants To Try In Pune 

The Final Word

Izipizi Street isn’t about sitting down for a proper supper. It’s about moving, exploring, singing, ordering more than you should, and staying longer than you intended. And once inside, you won’t be leaving anytime soon.

Cover Image Courtesy: Kamlesh Garde, Deeplata Garde

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