“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with them…the people who give you their food, give you, their heart.”- Cesar Chavez
Food isn’t just sustenance; it’s a canvas for emotions. It can transport you to another time and place, evoke cherished memories, and create new ones filled with joy, comfort, and excitement. If you ask a true foodie their favourite cuisine, their face will replicate an expression of utmost confusion. Indian, Italian, Japanese, Chinese…are just a few of the multiple cuisines in the infinite realm of food. Food has always been the way to my heart and I believe it makes bonds stronger than ever.
As an enthusiast of Pan-Asian food, I had been researching for a restaurant that served delectable Asian food. And China Bistro in the vibrant lanes of CBD Belapur was one of them. I visited this tastefully decorated venue with my mother on the occasion of Mother’s Day. China Bistro exudes elegance with its beige aesthetic and serene ambience, creating a luxurious dining experience. Upon entering, you are welcomed by a hostess who is the epitome of politeness but she is brisk at the same time.
After you are seated in the lush chairs, the bubbly servers immediately pour mint-infused water and present interestingly crafted menus. In front of each seat, there was a plate, cutlery, a napkin and the main showstopper- the sturdy chopsticks. Since my mother and I are pescatarians, we ordered dishes which were seafood-centred.
We started off the meal with talk glasses of zingy and fizzy lime soda and prepared our palates for the rest of the night. The first appetizer that we ordered was CRISPY POTATOES WITH LIME AND CHILLI. Almost promptly we were served with our first starter of the day. The potatoes were cut into thick slivers and stir-fried with a beautiful smoky and tangy glaze. The spice of the chillies cut into the starchiness of the potatoes and the lime sneaked in every bite. It was the perfect start to the meal.
The second entrée was the GOLDEN CHARCOAL PRAWN DUMPLINGS. Truth be said, I am not a huge fan of dumplings and have eaten them doughy. But when I removed the lid from the xiaolong basket, a waft of steam covered a piece of art. In the bamboo basket were nestled 4 plump pouches of minced prawns covered in foil-like inky covering with touches of gold here and there. After gazing at the dumplings a bit more, I dug into one…and I fell short of words to express the burst of umami in my mouth. The dumplings were perfectly steamed and the covering was paper thin that as soon as you sink your teeth into one, the prawns will just flood into your mouth. The charcoal had brought a deep smoky taste in the dumplings thus elevating the flavours.
Next in the array of dishes was the KHAO SUEY from the ‘THE GREAT BOWLS’ section. We had asked for an add-on of prawns with it. After a short wait, our meal arrived. The server first presented a condiment caddy with a flourish. The condiments consisted of various shot glasses consisting of- chopped peanuts, lime slices, spring onion, whole-boiled eggs, garlic powder, star anise, coriander, fried onions, chopped chillies and fried noodles. Whew! That’s a lot. Next came, atop a stone holder, a bowl of the Khao Suey Broth which was laden with tiger prawns. Khao Suey broth is a fragrant coconut curry base simmered with aromatics, often with a touch of chickpea flour for richness. The last part of the meal was the fresh watery Udon Noodles. For those who don’t know what are Udon Noodles, they are thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles slurped hot or cold in savoury broths or stir-fries. The mise-en-place was impressive. Since it was our first time eating Khao Suey, the server kindly assembled our respective bowls. Using soup spoons, I took the first wholesome bite and I immediately felt as though a heated blanket was thrown over me. The mouthful was an explosion of flavours and textures. The noodles gave a chewy element while the peanuts cut in with the perfect crunch. The prawns were juicy and bursting with sapid taste. The coconut exotic broth washed down all the other complex textures only leaving bliss in our mouths.
In every foodie’s guide, there is an unwritten rule- “No matter how stuffed you are, there should always be room for dessert.” And being an obedient follower, I promptly ordered the Mango Mochi. Ice-cream mochi has been one of the dishes that I had been craving forever and just a glance at the menu was enough for me to order them. The mango mochi came served on a plate cut up into four parts. They looked like little pillowcases filled with vibrant mango ice cream. One bite of it was all I needed to know that I was correct in yearning for them. The outer skin made of glutinous rice was thin allowing room for more filling. The ice cream was freezing cold and was just the right end of the meal after piping hot meals.
Overall, China Bistro exceeded my expectations, making me a Pan-Asian enthusiast. Despite slightly hefty prices, every penny is justified by the exceptional food and service. I highly recommend this restaurant to all, even those sceptical of Asian cuisine, as it will change your hearts and palates. I eagerly anticipate my next visit to this delectable restaurant.
