Mayouchi

Mayouchi at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake is where China and Japan have a meet-cute on your plate, and not in the ‘pan-Asian, oriental’ way. 

The 3,681-square-foot space has spatial sectioning nailed to the T. There’s Mayou lounge, a private dining room, and the cocktail kitchen with Powai lake stretching out beyond the large, glass windows. Classy minimalism is on display in its decor, layout and even artwork. The ceiling and the light fixtures compel you to look twice. 

Executive Sous Chef Golpin Sianipar is the master curator of Mayouchi’s food menu. Whether you’re starting with dimsums, sushis, or uramakis, you have to try out their salads. I love their Baby Octopus Yaki, which has togarashi and yuzu jelly sourced straight from Japan. In fact, most seafood and ingredients are flown in from Japan. 

The drinks menu includes elements from in and around the property in its repertoire. Cindy, the famed Powai Lake crocodile, the mango tree on the compound, Mumbai’s showbiz, and more stories are told through the cocktail program. The visual guide, along with the origin story of each drink’s name, keeps story-seekers nose-deep in the menu. Taste-wise: ten on ten. Of course, they also house Japanese whiskies, sakes and international spirits. 

Mayouchi’s beauty is best enjoyed during lunch hours, but that’s not to say the nights are dull. The music, the dim lights, and the views all deliver a night-to-remember experience. 

Time Out tip: Chefs at Mayouchi are always open to customisation and go off the menu with requests.