Wakai, Fort, Mumbai Japanese Restaurant

Restaurant Name: Wakai, Fort, Mumbai
Phone: +919769999918
Address: 24 A, Raja Bahadur Mansion Mumbai, Samachar Marg, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400023 India
Time: 12 Noon – 12:00 midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 2,500
Cuisines: Japanese
Facilities: Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Table booking recommended, Indoor Seating

Expect the unexpected. A rocking, speakeasy, neon pink themed Japanese restaurant, offering superb vegetarian dishes. The brand new Wakai (which means young and fresh) lives up to its name. But, does it live up to the hype which surrounded it ever since it opened mid-October?

I rigorously check the non vegetarian menu for their droolworthy non-vegetarian gourmet options. Award-winning creative director and chef extraordinaire Amish Chinai’s trailblazer Chinai’s Kitchen has, for a decade, been in huge demand for its exquisite pre-marinated meats and seafood. The experienced life and wellness coach, the lovely Simeen Colabawalla and Japanese food lover and industrialist Viral Somaya are thrilled with Wakai. By sheer coincidence, discerning vegetarian gourmets Anant Goenka and influencer Kanika Sharma Goenka, brilliant lawyer were also present at the restaurant.

Wakai, Fort, Mumbai: Decor

Have we entered the upbeat, colorful, cacophonic back alleys of the entertainment backstreets of Ginza? Music fills the modern, glamorous, two storied restaurant. Live sushi bar, a spirit bar, colorful wall art et al. Innovative TV and Bollywood production designer Rupin Suchak’s talent shines through.

Wakai, Fort, Mumbai: Food

Wasabi to Wakai, Chef Parvez Khan, formerly from Wasabi, Taj ensures the freshness of ingredients and includes all flavours like bitter (nigai), sour (suppai), salty (siakaray), sweet (amai) and spicy (punish) in his traditional and contemporary dishes.

Ask for the Wakai cornetos, charcoal cone topped with luscious cream cheese, avocado tartare and wasabi mayo in a charcoal cone. Go for the silken Spinach with roasted Sesame Sauce, the airy crunchy tempura and asparagus in uramaki style sushi, which are the three top vegetarian dishes from the huge choice.

Made with jalapenos and yuzu soy, the Yellowtail Carpaccio dazzles. The Chilean Seabass with Truffle Gyoza is a must try. The Black Cod Miso, which is soft enough to melt in your mouth, is the winner.

The succulent robata New Zealand Lamb Chops (Amish’s Australian lamb chops are equally superb) is a must try, too. Chocolate lovers must try the soft creamy intense chocolate, spiked with birdeye chilli.

My Point:

I’m a Japanese food fan, having eaten my way through Japan’s Michelin restaurants, Izakayas, Tsikiji market and stayed at a ryokan. All this while being tutored by the knowledgeable award-winning chef Dharshan Munidasa. Chef Pervez Khan serves spectacular Japanese food, made with the freshest of ingredients, gorgeously composed and meticulously accessorized. Kudos to Shardul Bayas Singh for founding Wakai.

We love the brilliantly manufactured backstreet ambiance, its speakeasy-channeling of illicit, exclusive pleasure. Konnichiwa! Welcome!