Chufang Asian Kitchen & Bar, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: Chufang Asian Kitchen & Bar, BKC, Mumbai
Phone: +917350650673
Address: Chufang Asian Kitchen & Bar, 2 Adani Inspire, Main Road, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013 India
Time: 12:30 PM – 03:30 PM, 06:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,900
Cuisines: Asian, Thai, Salad, Desserts
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Family Friendly, Indoor Seating, Desserts and Bakes

Chufang Asian Kitchen & Bar, BKC, Mumbai:

Chew on this! In my consistent and systematic study of the elements which make for a great restaurant experience, there’s one element which has nothing to do with the restaurant itself. It’s the dinner companions. Sure, food, service, ambiance, price points are the most crucial. However, exuberant and stimulating company enhances the restaurant experience, like it does mine at BKC’s Chufang.

We re celebrating 20 years of Chef Varun Inamdar’s humble beginning as a dishwasher in a Bandra restaurant to one of the third highest viewed celebrity chefs globally with 35 food shows in four different languages.

I’m full of admiration for the sunshine colorful couple, who I’ve known for years. The prince of chocolates, The Bombay Chef host, multi-talented Varun Inamdar is a chef, a TV host, a National Award winner and a food stylist for over 45 cookbooks. He is the chosen chef for heads of states and Hollywood stars and has an endless list of achievements. Lovely, ever-smiling Tejashree, a former air hostess and now a director in Varun Hospitality, is an accomplished editor and food researcher. Both discerning foodies, shared their palate opinion. We came away with mixed feelings about Chufang. I flagged off my Instagram series “your opinion matters” and am grateful for the valuable feedback from readers. Our review follows…

Colorful Flamboyance:

Please take a look at the accompanying photograph which says it all. The sprawling restaurant is dramatically lit, has Instagrammable walls, a giant Buddha head, Chinese lanterns and comfy seating.

Sushi, Dimsum And Then Some:

The extensive menu bops all over the East and Japan. Its dishes take within their sweep, the sweet heat and fragrances of Thailand to the pristine Japanese ones. The dumplings here are tasty, but thick-skinned, be it the Truffle Edamame Dumpling, the Spicy Har Gow, or the Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun. Ask for the Chicken Soup Wanton. Melt in the mouth Pork Belly in Tobanjan sauce is a must try. Competent Thai dishes like the Blue Pea Flower Rice and Coconut Rich Thai Curry are must tries.

Plenty for vegetarians too! Interestingly, all the desserts are eggless. From the Japanese Matcha to Chocolate Mousse cake. Their creative cocktails are well appreciated. We sample a couple. Our total bill including the drinks comes to ₹ 11,872.

Minus Points:

The menu is too ambitious and confusing. Amongst other dishes, we also opted for Tuna Tataki Sushi Mexican Urumaki, Prawns Tempura Sushi Roll, Blue Rice Salmon Roll and came to the conclusion that most of the Japanese fare here is avoidable.

Chufang Asian Kitchen & Bar, BKC, Mumbai: My Point

The fairly new Pan Asian Chufang Bar and kitchen adds even more flamboyance to BKC. Its menu is a bit too ambitious and falters in its Japanese fare. Our verdict: food (“ho hum”). In all fairness, the reader response to my Instagram series “your opinion matters” was very positive and complimentary, especially for the Chinese food and the ambiance.

After completing our lunch when we are about to rush out, a strikingly good looking young man walks in. Much later (thanks to Google) I put the puzzle together. He’s actor, photographer, model Arvin Tucker, now turned restaurateur. Apparently, inspired by his travels, he designed Chufang himself. It’s a passion project and I’m sure, like all projects fueled by passion Chufang will hit its stride soon!